17 Must-Grow Plants For The Ultimate Backyard Pizza Garden!

Homegrown veggies and herbs make the best pizza ingredients! Making freshly baked pizza is also a delicious and rewarding way to enjoy your garden’s harvest. So, let’s transform your backyard garden into an epic pizza production paradise by growing the best veggies and savory herbs.

These 17 crops make the best pizza ingredients and toppings. And they’re easy to grow.

Sound good?

Then, let’s grow an epic pizza garden!

17 Best Garden Crops For Yummy Backyard Pizza

We’re known for adding countless garden herbs and veggies to our homemade pizzas. But out of all our pizza garden crops, these 17 are our favorites.

1. Garlic

Garlic is the backbone of any good pizza sauce! It adds an irresistible aroma and flavor that helps your homestead kitchen smell like an authentic Italian pizzeria. Plant the cloves in the fall; by summer, you’ll have robust bulbs ready to enhance your pizza masterpieces.

• Mature Height: 12 to 24 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 240 to 270 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 9.
• Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, moderate moisture.

The best cultivars for pizza flavoring include Music, which provides a rich, warm flavor upgrade, and Chesnok Red, which has a hint of sweetness that mellows with yummy savor when roasted.

2. Arugula

Arugula brings a peppery kick to your pizza. It’s perfect for adding a fresh, zesty contrast to the richness of melted cheese and savory toppings. It also grows tremendously fast. Scatter some fresh arugula over your pizza before serving for a gourmet touch.

• Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 30 to 40 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 11.
• Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, rich soil, consistent moisture.

Look for cultivars like Astro for a milder flavor or Wild Rocket for a spicier bite.

3. Bell Peppers

Bell peppers add crunch, color, and sweetness to your pizza. They’re a versatile topping that pairs well with almost any ingredient. Bell peppers are also a cinch to grow, thriving in warm weather with plenty of sunlight.

• Mature Height: 18 to 30 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 60 to 90 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 11.
• Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.

For the best pizza flavors, try growing California Wonder for its classic sweetness or Purple Beauty for a stunning pop of color.

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4. Oregano

All pizza gardens need oregano, the herb that helps give pizza its signature taste. It’s easy to grow and is a perennial, so one successful sowing will provide a lifetime of flavor. It adds a burst of earthy, slightly bitter notes that complement the richness of tomato sauce and cheese.

• Mature Height: 12 to 18 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 80 to 90 days for seed, 30 days for cuttings.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 9.
• Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, moderate moisture.

For pizza flavoring, consider planting Greek oregano for its intense, peppery flavor or Italian oregano for a milder, sweeter taste.

5. Zucchini

We’ve written that zucchini makes superb pizza in its own right. But it’s also a perfect topping for adding to your traditional, home-cooked pizza. Zucchini might not be the first crop that comes to mind for a pizza garden, but it’s a fantastic topping when sliced thin and roasted. It adds a subtle sweetness and tender texture that pairs wonderfully with other vegetables and meats.

• Mature Height: 2 to 3 feet.
• Days Until Maturity: 45 to 55 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 9.
• Care Requirements: Full sun, rich soil, consistent moisture.

Try growing Costata Romanesco for its nutty flavor or Black Beauty for its classic, versatile taste for a flavorful pizza topping.

6. Roma Tomatoes

Roma tomatoes are the go-to variety for pizza sauce, thanks to their dense flesh and low moisture content, which makes for a thick, flavorful sauce. You can also slice Roma tomatoes, which make excellent pizza toppings.

• Mature Height: 3 to 4 feet.
• Days Until Maturity: 70 to 80 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 9.
• Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.

For the best pizza sauce, grow San Marzano for its unparalleled flavor or Amish Paste for its perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.

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7. Fennel

Fennel adds a unique, slightly sweet, and anise-like flavor that can elevate your pizza to new gourmet heights. You can use fennel in two ways. First, slice the bulb thinly to use as a topping. Or sprinkle the feathery fronds for a hint of freshness. Either way, fennel is a versatile crop that thrives easily in cooler weather.

• Mature Height: 3 to 5 feet.
• Days Until Maturity: 90 to 115 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 9.
• Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.

For the most flavorful fennel, try growing Florence for its tender bulbs or Orion for a quicker harvest.

8. Eggplant

Eggplant is a fantastic addition to your pizza garden. Its meaty, rich flavor pairs well with cheeses and tomato-based sauces. It’s particularly delicious when grilled or roasted before being added to pizza.

• Mature Height: 2 to 4 feet.
• Days Until Maturity: 100 to 120 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 10.
• Care Requirements: Warm weather with full sun, rich soil, and consistent moisture.

For a delicious pizza topping, grow Black Beauty for its classic taste or Rosa Bianca for its sweet, mild flavor.

9. Spinach

Spinach adds a fresh, mild flavor to pizzas and is particularly delightful when paired with creamy cheeses like ricotta or mozzarella. It’s also a cool-weather crop, perfect for early spring or fall planting. Spinach thrives in May through September, and you can harvest the leaves multiple times during the growing season.

• Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 40 to 50 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 9.
• Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade, rich soil, consistent moisture.

For tender, flavorful leaves, consider planting Bloomsdale Long Standing or Baby’s Leaf for a more delicate texture.

10. Sweet Basil

Sweet basil is the crowning glory of a pizza garden. Its fragrant leaves add a fresh, slightly peppery flavor to any pizza. This herb thrives in warm weather and is incredibly easy to grow in pots or garden beds. Add fresh basil leaves to the pizza moments before enjoying it. Doing so helps get the best flavor!

• Mature Height: 12 to 24 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 60 to 90 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 10.
• Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, moderate moisture.

For the ultimate pizza experience, grow Genovese or Italian large leaf, which is known for its classic, sweet flavor and giant, aromatic leaves.

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11. Mushrooms

Mushrooms add an earthy, umami-rich flavor to pizzas. They’re a must-have for any serious pizza garden. While growing mushrooms can be trickier than other crops, it’s well worth the effort for pizza lovers. Choose a shady spot and keep the environment moist; you’ll soon have a bounty of mushrooms to top your pizzas.

• Mature Height: Varies by species, typically 2 to 6 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 3 to 4 weeks after spawning.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: Varies, but generally 4 to 10.
• Care Requirements: Shade, high humidity, rich organic matter.

Consider growing Portobello for a meaty texture or Shiitake for a more intense, smoky flavor.

12. Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are little bursts of sweetness that easily add color and flavor infusion to your pizza. They’re easy to grow and produce abundant fruit throughout the summer. Roast them lightly before adding them to your pizza for a delicious caramelized, concentrated flavor.

• Mature Height: 4 to 8 feet (indeterminate varieties).
• Days Until Maturity: 60 to 70 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 10.
• Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.

For the best pizza toppings, grow Sweet 100 for its sugary sweetness or Sun Gold for a tangy, tropical twist.

13. Thyme

Thyme is a hardy herb that adds a subtle, earthy flavor to pizzas, especially when combined with other herbs like oregano and basil. You can use thyme fresh or dried; either option will infuse your pizza with an elegant, pleasant flavor.

• Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 75 to 90 days from seed, 30 days from cuttings.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 5 to 9.
• Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, low to moderate moisture.

For a robust flavor, consider planting English Thyme or Lemon Thyme for a citrusy twist.

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14. Hot Peppers (Jalapeños Or Pepperoncini)

It’s time to add some heat to your pizza! Hot peppers add a spicy kick, which is perfect for those who like their food with a bit of a punch. Both jalapeños and pepperoncini are easy to grow and thrive in warm, sunny conditions. Jalapeños add a fiery heat, while pepperoncini offer a milder, tangy flavor.

• Mature Height: 24 to 36 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 70 to 85 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 11.
• Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, moderate moisture.

For the best pizza experience, grow Early Jalapeño for a quick harvest or Golden Greek Pepperoncini for a sweeter, less intense heat.

15. San Marzano Tomatoes

San Marzano tomatoes are the golden standard for pizza sauce. These heirloom tomatoes are known for their thick flesh, low acidity, and few seeds, making them ideal for creating a smooth, velvety pizza sauce. They’re also straightforward to grow, especially in warm, sunny climates.

• Mature Height: 5 to 6 feet.
• Days Until Maturity: 80 to 90 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 9.
• Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.

Several San Marzano tomato cultivars, like the Golden and Nano, are delicious and unique, but we always go with the original.

16. Onions

Not everyone likes onions on pizza, but we say they’re a must! Onions are a pizza staple because of their intense flavor. They add a sweet, savory depth that complements many other pizza toppings. You can harvest them at various stages for different flavors.

• Mature Height: 12 to 18 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 90 to 110 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 9.
• Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, consistent moisture.

For the best pizza onions, consider growing Walla Walla for its mild sweetness or Red Burgundy for a bit of color and a more intense flavor.

17. Rosemary

Rosemary adds a piney, aromatic flavor to pizzas, particularly when paired with roasted meats or vegetables. This hardy herb thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and it’s relatively drought-tolerant once established. Rosemary can work fresh or dried, making it a versatile addition to your pizza garden.

• Mature Height: 3 to 5 feet.
• Days Until Maturity: 80 to 90 days from cuttings.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 7 to 10.
• Care Requirements: Full sun, well-draining soil, low moisture.

For the most flavorful rosemary, grow Tuscan Blue for its robust flavor or Arp for a cold-hardy option.

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Conclusion

Thanks for reading our epic pizza garden guide! We love making fresh, thin-sliced pizza, and we’ve found that fresh backyard veggies add flavor and texture like nothing else.

What about you?

• Do you agree that homegrown veggies are the best pizza toppings?
• Have you ever tried using an Ooni pizza oven to make fresh backyard pizza?
• What other pizza toppings should we use?
• Do you like adding herbs to your pizza? Which ones?
• We also love to add bacon, pepperoni, and ground beef to our pizza! What about you?

We hope to hear from fellow pizza lovers.

Thanks again for reading.

Have a great day

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