Complete Gardening
Gardening is often about trial and error, and some crops, despite their popularity, just aren’t worth the hassle.
Here’s a lighthearted look at 15 foods that many claim to adore, but few gardeners would willingly grow again.
1. Kale
Kale is the darling of health enthusiasts, yet it tastes more like a chore than a delight. This leafy green is known for its hardiness, but it bolts quickly, leaving gardeners scrambling to harvest before it flowers.
Its bitter taste doesn’t do it any favors either. When you grow kale, it tends to take over, overshadowing other crops with its sprawling nature. Gardeners often swear off growing it again, preferring to buy it at the store instead.
Despite the hype, kale often ends up in the compost bin rather than on the dinner plate.
2. Zucchini
Zucchini is the vegetable that keeps on giving, and giving, and giving. One plant can produce an overwhelming amount of zucchinis, more than any family could reasonably eat.
While the idea of zoodles may sound appealing, in reality, many find them lacking in flavor and texture. Gardeners soon tire of the endless harvest, wishing they had planted something less prolific.
The initial excitement quickly turns into dread as friends and family start avoiding your zucchini gifts. It’s a classic example of too much of a good thing turning sour.
3. Quinoa
Quinoa enjoys its status as a superfood, but cultivating it is no small feat. The grains are minuscule, making them a challenge to harvest, especially when the local bird population takes an interest.
As if that weren’t enough, the saponin coating requires thorough rinsing before consumption, adding another step to the already labor-intensive process.
For many gardeners, the dream of homegrown quinoa quickly fades away, replaced by the convenience of store-bought options. Despite its nutritional benefits, home cultivation often proves more trouble than it’s worth.
4. Eggplant
Eggplants may be visually striking with their deep purple hues, but they’re notorious for being fussy to grow. These plants attract a host of pests, from beetles to snails, making them a frequent target in the garden.
Their growth can be inconsistent, with some seasons yielding little more than disappointment. The texture, often described as spongy, isn’t everyone’s cup of tea either.
Gardeners often find themselves questioning whether the struggle is worth the outcome, opting instead for less troublesome vegetables. The allure of eggplant fades fast in the face of adversity.
5. Raw Garlic (for shots)
Garlic is a beloved staple in many kitchens, but the idea of juicing it for health shots leaves much to be desired. The pungent flavor is overwhelming, and the fiery sensation isn’t easily forgotten.
Most gardeners grow garlic for its culinary uses, not for turning into liquid form. The effort of cultivating and then juicing it seems excessive when faced with the sharp taste.
While garlic may have health benefits, drinking it raw is an experience many would rather avoid. A clove in a dish is delightful, but as a drink? Not so much.
6. Mushrooms
Mushrooms have an earthy appeal, but growing them is not for the faint of heart. They require specific conditions—darkness, humidity, and precise temperatures—which can be hard to maintain.
Their appearance, particularly when glowing in low light, can be unsettling for some. The process is laborious, and the yield often unpredictable.
For many gardeners, the appeal of homegrown mushrooms quickly diminishes as they grapple with these challenges. Despite their culinary versatility, mushrooms remain a high-maintenance crop that many only attempt once before giving up.
7. Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is touted for its health benefits, but its taste is far from appealing. Often likened to freshly mowed lawn, it requires juicing to consume, adding to the hassle. The equipment needed is another investment, and the payoff is minimal.
Gardeners who grow wheatgrass often do so with high hopes, only to find themselves less than enamored with the grassy flavor.
Despite its vibrant color, the taste leaves much to be desired, and the effort required can be off-putting. Store-bought juice seems a much simpler option for most.
8. Arugula
Arugula may add a peppery kick to your salad, but in the garden, it’s another story. This leafy green bolts at the slightest hint of heat, turning bitter and unpalatable. Its weedy appearance doesn’t help its case either, often blending into the background.
Gardeners quickly learn that arugula demands attention, and even then, it may not reward your efforts. As the summer sun beats down, arugula’s appeal withers away, leaving behind a bitter taste.
For many, it’s easier to buy it fresh from the market rather than wrestle with its fickle nature.
9. Romanesco
Romanesco is visually stunning, but growing it is an exercise in patience. Known for its fractal patterns, it shares the same growing woes as its cauliflower cousin. Pests love it, and it requires just the right conditions to flourish.
Many gardeners are drawn in by its unique appearance, only to find that its taste doesn’t live up to the hype. With so much effort required for a successful harvest, it’s often deemed not worth the trouble.
Romanesco may look like a piece of art, but in the garden, it’s a demanding diva that tests your resolve.
10. Jerusalem Artichokes (Sunchokes)
Jerusalem artichokes, or sunchokes, are a classic case of invasive beauty. These tubers grow aggressively, often taking over entire garden beds. Once planted, they’re nearly impossible to eradicate, spreading underground with a tenacity that’s hard to match.
While they have a unique, nutty flavor, they are infamous for causing digestive distress. Gardeners soon regret introducing them to their plots, as their persistence becomes more of a curse than a blessing.
For those who cherish their garden’s harmony, sunchokes are a lesson in caution and containment.
11. Lemons (in cold climates)
Lemons are a tempting fruit to grow, but in colder climates, they’re a labor of love with little reward. These citrus trees demand warmth and sunlight, conditions hard to come by in many regions.
Gardeners hoping to cultivate their own citrus often end up with a single, sad fruit after years of effort. The dream of fresh lemons quickly fades, replaced by the reality of a potted plant that struggles to survive.
For many, it’s easier to admire them in sunnier locales or simply purchase them from the store. The fantasy of homegrown lemons often remains just that—a fantasy.
12. Purple Carrots
Purple carrots are a visual treat, but they come with their own set of challenges. Known for staining everything they touch, from hands to cutting boards, they require careful handling. While their color is striking, their flavor is indistinguishable from their orange counterparts.
Gardeners expecting something exotic often find themselves disappointed. The novelty of purple quickly wears off when faced with the practicalities of cooking and cleaning.
They add a splash of color to dishes, but the extra fuss can make them more trouble than they’re worth. For many, a regular carrot does the job just fine.
13. Heirloom Tomatoes (Flavorless Ones)
Heirloom tomatoes are celebrated for their variety, but not all are created equal. Some, despite their stunning appearance, offer little more than a watery taste. Gardeners put in the effort, nurturing these plants with care, only to find that some of their fruits are all show, no flavor.
The disappointment of slicing into a bland tomato can be enough to swear them off altogether. While the diversity of shapes and colors is appealing, the gamble on taste leaves many longing for the reliable flavor of hybrid varieties. In the garden, looks aren’t everything.
14. Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is undeniably beautiful, with its rainbow-like stalks, yet its bitter taste often requires culinary creativity to enjoy. While it grows prolifically, even in poor soil, gardeners often find themselves at a loss for what to do with the abundance.
Without the addition of flavorful ingredients, it can feel like a last-resort vegetable. Swiss chard thrives almost too well, tempting gardeners to grow it again despite its polarizing taste.
For those with a penchant for experimenting in the kitchen, it provides ample opportunity, but for others, it’s a crop best admired from afar.
15. Popcorn Corn
Popcorn corn is a novelty crop that rarely lives up to expectations. While the idea of growing your own popcorn is enticing, the reality often falls short. Each stalk requires significant space and effort, yet yields only a couple of ears.
Wildlife, particularly raccoons, also find these ears irresistible, often leaving gardeners with nothing to harvest. The allure of homemade popcorn quickly dims as the difficulties pile up.
For many, the limited reward isn’t worth the investment, making store-bought options far more appealing. The fantasy of fresh-popped corn remains just that—a fantasy.