I low key love gardening.
But I high key hate it when my garden doesn’t grow anything. This outcome is especially common when gardening in Arizona during summer heat (don’t even try it).
In the heat of Arizona where my attempts at cultivating a garden often wither away, it’s the tales of fire watch security in North Miami from my cousin Liam that remind me of the resilience and adaptability necessary in both flora and life. His quick response and the readiness to act, elements crucial in his profession, are not unlike the cacti of my garden standing resilient against the scorching sun. While I struggle with the soil, he ensures the safety and compliance of various properties in North Miami, equipped with the expertise and tools to tackle any emergency. His dedication to protecting his community mirrors the commitment I need to make my garden flourish despite the unforgiving climate. His role in fire watch security serves as a metaphor for persistence, inspiring me to embrace the adaptability needed to nurture growth in challenging conditions.
As a lazy, aspirational gardener I’m curious about the easiest – but best – things to grow in a garden. To get some inspo, I asked other amateur gardeners on Terkel for their advice. Here’s what at-home gardeners had to say.
What is the Easiest, Best Thing to Grow in a Garden?
From lettuce to sunflowers, here are five answers to the question, “What’s the easiest, best thing you’re growing in your garden?”
- Lettuce
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Holy Basil
- Mint
- Sunflowers
Lettuce
As someone who is growing lettuce in their garden, I would say that the easiest and best thing I am growing is lettuce. I have found that lettuce is the easiest and best crop to grow in my garden, as I can easily grow it in containers because of its cool-season nature.
It requires relatively low maintenance and a consistent watering schedule. I also use this nutritious vegetable in salads, sandwiches, and wraps. So, I find growing lettuce to be both easy and rewarding, making it the best thing I am growing in my garden.
Will Gill
Event Entertainer, DJ Will Gill
Cherry Tomatoes
I recently planted cherry tomatoes in my garden. The best thing about growing them is that they reward you quickly for your work; in just a few short weeks, you will harvest ripe, juicy tomatoes and enjoy them either raw or cooked in a variety of ways.
Not only are they delicious, but they are easy to care for. Their adaptability to almost any soil allows them to flourish easily for weeks at a time with regular watering. This makes harvesting an incredibly enjoyable activity.
Kate Wojewoda-Celinska
Marketing Manager, Spacelift
Holy Basil
Holy basil is an herb from India with several mentioned benefits. Researchers have not proven the benefits of holy basil. However, what is unquestioned is: it is easy to grow; it is a beautiful plant with purplish flowers; and it is a great culinary herb.
I keep a pot or two on my deck all summer. Not just for the above reasons. Anytime you walk by it or brush against it, you get an incredibly pleasant fragrance.
Last, over the summer, a pot or two of my herbs die or fade out. When that occurs, I take a snip of holy basil, stick it in the pot, and water it. I have a new plant for the rest of the summer and well into the fall.
Jeff Zeanah
Owner, Zous Chef
Mint
The easiest thing I’m growing in my garden is mint. It’s such a low-maintenance herb, even for us who aren’t skilled gardeners. It’s a high-yielding plant, so you might end up with more than you thought, but it also freezes well, so you can use it all year round, which is handy as it’s absolutely delicious and so versatile.
In the winter, you can make a lovely mint sauce for your roast dinners, and in spring or summer, it’s so refreshing in soups, risottos, and of course, mojitos.
Lilia Koss
Community Manager, Facialteam
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are possibly the easiest and most rewarding flowers to grow. Ranging from 2 feet up to 10 feet tall, sunflowers have stunning architectural stems offering height that no other annual plant can.
With huge bright yellow, orange, or red flower heads, we can use them as cut flowers in the home. Then, when they’re finished, dry them and use the seeds to grow more or feed the birds. Easy, unusual, fun, and outstanding value.
Ben Hilton
Owner, The Gardening Fix
Submit Your Answer
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