Gardening is often about trial and error , and some crops , despite their popularity , just are n’t worth the hassle .
Here ’s a lighthearted look at 15 foods that many exact to adore , but few gardener would volitionally raise again .
1. Kale
Kale is the darling of wellness partizan , yet it smack more like a chore than a delight . This leafy viridity is known for its robustness , but it bolts quickly , will gardeners scrambling to reap before it flowers .
Its bitter taste does n’t do it any favors either . When you grow sugar , it incline to take over , eclipse other crops with its sprawling nature . nurseryman often swear off growing it again , opt to buy it at the store rather .
Despite the hype , kale often ends up in the compost bin rather than on the dinner party plate .
2. Zucchini
Zucchini is the vegetable that keeps on giving , and gift , and giving . One plant can produce an consuming amount of zucchinis , more than any kinsfolk could reasonably use up .
While the idea of zoodles may vocalize appealing , in reality , many find them miss in flavor and texture . Gardeners shortly tire of the dateless harvesting , bid they had planted something less fertile .
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 dependable thing turning saturnine .
© Gardener’s Path
3. Quinoa
Quinoa enjoys its status as a superfood , but cultivating it is no small exploit . The grains are minuscule , making them a challenge to harvest , specially when the local bird population takes an sake .
As if that were n’t enough , the saponin finish requires thorough rinsing before uptake , total another step to the already labor - intensive outgrowth .
For many gardeners , the ambition of homegrown quinoa quickly fades away , replaced by the convenience of store - grease one’s palms option . Despite its nutritional welfare , house culture often proves more worry than it ’s deserving .
© Taste of Home
4. Eggplant
Eggplants may be visually striking with their deep royal hues , but they ’re ill-famed for being particular to grow . These plants attract a host of pests , from beetles to snails , wee them a frequent target in the garden .
Their growth can be inconsistent , with some season yielding little more than letdown . The grain , often described as spongy , is n’t everyone ’s loving cup of tea either .
nurseryman often find themselves question whether the conflict is worth the outcome , choose instead for less troublesome vegetables . The allure of eggplant fades fast in the face of hardship .
© College of Agricultural Sciences – Colorado State University
5. Raw Garlic (for shots)
Garlic is a dear staple in many kitchens , but the theme of juicing it for health shots leaves much to be desired . The nipping flavour is consuming , and the fiery sense experience is n’t easily forgotten .
Most gardeners grow garlic for its culinary utilisation , not for turn into fluent form . The effort of naturalize and then juicing it seems excessive when faced with the crisp taste .
While garlic may have wellness benefits , drinking it raw is an experience many would rather keep off . A Syzygium aromaticum in a beauty is delightful , but as a swallow ? Not so much .
© University of Maryland Extension
6. Mushrooms
mushroom-shaped cloud have an down-to-earth 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 , in particular when glowing in low light , can be unsettling for some . The process is hard , and the takings often unpredictable .
For many gardeners , the appeal of homegrown mushrooms promptly diminishes as they grapple with these challenges . Despite their culinary versatility , mushrooms continue a gamey - sustainment craw that many only attempt once before make up .
© Gardener’s Path
7. Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is touted for its health benefit , but its taste is far from appealing . Often equate to impudently mowed lawn , it expect juicing to ingest , adding to the tussle . The equipment needed is another investiture , and the payoff is minimum .
nurseryman who rise wheatgrass often do so with in high spirits hopes , only to find themselves less than enamored with the grassy flavor .
Despite its vivacious coloring , the taste get out much to be desired , and the effort required can be off - putting . depot - bought juice seems a much dim-witted selection for most .
© Mushroom Council
8. Arugula
Arugula may bring a peppery kick to your salad , but in the garden , it ’s another storey . This leafy green bolt at the slim wind of high temperature , turn bitter and unpalatable . Its boney appearance does n’t facilitate its face either , often conflate into the background .
Gardeners rapidly learn that arugula demands aid , and even then , it may not reward your drive . As the summertime sunshine tucker down , arugula ’s appeal withers away , leaving behind a acerb taste .
For many , it ’s easier to grease one’s palms it refreshing from the market rather than wrestle with its fickle nature .
© Vegan Family Recipes
9. Romanesco
Romanesco is visually stunning , but growing it is an exercise in patience . Known for its fractal pattern , it share the same growing woe as its Brassica oleracea botrytis full cousin . Pests eff it , and it requires just the good conditions to flourish .
Many gardener are drawn in by its unequaled appearance , only to see that its taste sensation does n’t live up to the hype . With so much effort ask for a successful harvest time , it ’s often deemed not worth the hassle .
Romanesco may look like a piece of artistic creation , but in the garden , it ’s a demand prima donna that tests your firmness .
© In My Kitchen Garden
10. Jerusalem Artichokes (Sunchokes)
Jerusalem artichoke , or sunchokes , are a classic character of invasive beauty . These genus Tuber grow aggressively , often taking over entire garden bed . Once planted , they ’re closely impossible to decimate , spreading underground with a persistency that ’s toilsome to play off .
While they have a unique , nutty tang , they are infamous for causing digestive distress . Gardeners before long rue introduce them to their patch , as their perseverance becomes more of a curse than a blessing .
For those who cherish their garden ’s concord , sunchokes are a lesson in care and containment .
© School Garden Weekly
11. Lemons (in cold climates)
lemon are a tempting yield to grow , but in cold climates , they ’re a labor of dear with little reward . These citrus tree diagram call for fondness and sunlight , condition firmly to come by in many neighborhood .
nurseryman hoping to cultivate their own citrus often terminate up with a single , distressing yield after long time of attempt . The dreaming of fresh lemons quickly fade , replace by the world of a potted flora that struggles to survive .
For many , it ’s easier to look up to them in sunnier locales or but purchase them from the store . The fantasy of homegrown lemon often remains just that — a phantasy .
© Gardening Know How
12. Purple Carrots
Purple carrots are a visual treat , but they occur with their own set of challenges . eff for maculate everything they touch , from hand to cutting boards , they require careful handling . While their colour is striking , their tang is indistinguishable from their Orange River similitude .
Gardeners expect something alien often find themselves disappointed . The novelty of purple quick wears off when faced with the practicality of preparation and cleaning .
They add a splashing of coloring material to dishes , but the extra fuss can make them more fuss than they ’re worth . For many , a even cultivated carrot does the chore just all right .
© Simply Trees
13. Heirloom Tomatoes (Flavorless Ones)
Heirloom tomatoes are celebrated for their variety , but not all are make equal . Some , despite their arresting appearance , offer little more than a watery taste . Gardeners put in the endeavor , rear these plants with maintenance , only to find that some of their fruit are all show , no flavor .
The disappointment of slicing into a bland love apple can be enough to swear them off all told . While the multifariousness of shapes and colors is invoke , the gamble on gustation leaves many yearning for the true flavour of hybrid varieties . In the garden , facial expression are n’t everything .
14. Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is undeniably beautiful , with its rainbow - like stalk , yet its bitter predilection often requires culinary creativity to revel . While it grow prolifically , even in hapless dirt , gardeners often find themselves at a deprivation for what to do with the copiousness .
Without the addition of flavorful element , it can feel like a last - resort veggie . Swiss chard thrives almost too well , entice 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 well admired from afar .
© Savvy Gardening
15. Popcorn Corn
Zea mays everta corn is a novelty crop that rarely lives up to expectation . While the thought of maturate your own popcorn is enticing , the reality often falls little . Each stalking requires important outer space and effort , yet yields only a brace of ears .
Wildlife , particularly raccoon , also notice these spike irresistible , often leave gardeners with nothing to harvest . The allurement of homemade Zea mays everta quickly dims as the difficulties pile up .
For many , the limited wages is n’t worth the investment , making storage - bought pick far more appealing . The fantasy of fresh - bolt down corn remains just that — a fantasy .
© Epic Gardening
© University of Maryland Extension
© Whole-Fed Homestead
