I've recently found myself wishing I hadn't planted certain plants in my garden. For instance, I decided to grow mint, thinking it would be great for fresh tea, but it quickly turned into an uncontrollable mess, spreading everywhere—even escaping from a pot! I also grew zucchini, which produced way more than I could handle; next time, I'll definitely plant less. Tomatoes seemed like a dream, but they ended up being a magnet for pests and diseases, making them quite a hassle to care for. I guess my takeaway is that gardening involves a lot of trial and error—some plants are just too much trouble! What about you? Are there any plants you regret growing?
5 Answers
One year, I thought it’d be nice to grow cucumbers as a neighborly gesture, but three households did not need the 20 cucumbers I ended up with every week! It’s ridiculous how much they produce. I've heard nasturtiums can help keep aphids off tomatoes too; I haven’t tried them yet, but they seem worth it!
I've had luck growing marigolds and basil next to my tomatoes, and it kept them mostly pest-free without any chemicals. I was really surprised by how effective it was! Definitely planning to do that again this year.
Wow, I did the same last year with red opal basil and didn’t have a single bug on my tomatoes. The smell was delightful too, plus I got tons of purple basil flowers! Definitely doing that again.
I love that idea! I also plant nasturtiums at the ends of my tomato rows. They act as a trap plant and seem to work great.
I tried planting English Ivy for ground cover, but it didn’t cover where I wanted it to—instead, it’s taken over everything else! Good luck trying to get rid of it; it’s a relentless little devil.
Right?! It should honestly be considered invasive—it's like it has a mind of its own!
Ugh, that’s the worst! English ivy really does grow everywhere. I inherited a backyard completely overrun with it. It's such a pain to battle against!
I wouldn't say I regret it, but I grew way too many yellow pear tomatoes last year. Eight huge plants produced more than I could ever need, and they're kind of bland. But I've found dehydrating them is a game changer! This year, I've got a bigger garden plan and will be more strategic about it.
That plant really takes over, huh? I promise, never again for me!
Great idea! Did you season them before dehydrating, or just let them dry as is?
I have a love/hate relationship with mint. While I want it for tea, it seems to invade everything! I've been meaning to try growing it again though, just in a different spot. Any advice on keeping it in check?
I've kept mint in a half-barrel for years. I thin it out and refresh the soil every couple of seasons, and it keeps producing. It's nice to have some to share!
I actually love overloading on cucumbers for pickling! I made 16 jars of lacto-fermented pickles last year and they’ve been a hit.