Easy-to-grow plants boost kids' confidence

(AP) - There's nothing like easy-to-grow, high-yield plants to help boost the self-confidence of young gardeners.

Here is a list of some of the simplest plants to grow, according to "The Family Kitchen Garden: How to Plant, Grow and Cook Together," by Karen Liebreich, Jutta Wagner and Annette Wendlund:

Easiest: Artichokes, French beans, beets, chard, zucchini, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, leaf lettuce, onions, parsnips, pumpkins and squashes, radishes and arugula.

Fastest from seed: Radishes (four to six weeks), leaf lettuces (six weeks), arugula (four to eight weeks), spinach (eight to 14 weeks), first early potatoes (10 weeks), pumpkins (10 to 14 weeks), carrots (10 to 16 weeks), zucchini (10 to 14 weeks), beets (11 weeks), head lettuce (12 weeks), cucumbers (12 to 14 weeks) and tomatoes (16 weeks).