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In theory, growing your own fruits and vegetables is a smart way to live. You’re fully aware of where your food is coming from, and you can rest easy knowing that what you eat doesn’t contain pesticides and chemicals. 

However, the process itself involves many moving parts. If you’re not a seasoned grower, you’re more likely to commit missteps that can lead to unflattering results (to say the least). As you’ll see in this list, it is much more common than you think. 

This series of photos comes from a seemingly endless pile from the r/MightyHarvest subreddit. And they only get funnier as you scroll through.

Bored Panda also spoke to horticultural consultant and urban farming expert Martyna Krol, who shared some helpful insights.

#1

My First Potato (Banana For Scale)

My First Potato (Banana For Scale)

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According to Krol, growing in minerally imbalanced soil is one of the reasons for poor fruit growth, noting that certain fruits and vegetables "have a big appetite for nutrients."

"Often growing plants such as tomatoes, courgettes or cucumbers in soil that has not got enough nutrients in it will result in misshapen fruits or weaker plants, eventually leading to the disease." 

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    Adequate nourishment is essential, especially when growing in pots or raised beds. Krol suggested some easy and affordable ways to do it.

    "The easiest one is either invest in a compost bin or buddy up with a garden or a growing project that does composting. The ready to use compost is diverse in many soil animals, which in turn make the nutrients available to the plant."

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    #4

    Behold My Prize Winning Pumpkin

    Behold My Prize Winning Pumpkin

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    #6

    Glory To My Bounty

    Glory To My Bounty

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    David Fox
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's a Cucamelon not a watermelon...... they're ment to be that size.

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    #8

    This Barbie's Making Salsa Tonight!

    This Barbie's Making Salsa Tonight!

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    Charity Angel
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I believe wheelchair Barbie has joints, so she can be posed properly. There are likely others, but I'm not an expert

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    SilverSkyCloud
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i had a ballerina barbie when i was a kid, she was a ball-jointed doll, similar to this

    Binky Melnik
    Community Member
    5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seems unlikely with those arms; looks like her mom took Thalidomide.

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    If your fruits and vegetables aren’t growing as they should, you’re also likely committing costly errors in your gardening efforts. Nikhil Arora, co-founder of organic gardening company Back to the Roots, spoke with The Spruce, pointing out that overplanting could be the reason why your vegetable garden isn’t as luscious. 

    He then shared crucial advice: stick with one plant, especially if you’re just starting your vegetable gardening venture. 

    “Try growing something—one thing!—and see how easy and fun it can be. Maybe try growing cherry tomatoes with a kit on your windowsill,” he said, stressing the importance of planting in small spaces.

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    #9

    My Biggest Pepper Of The Year

    My Biggest Pepper Of The Year

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    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    its alr, im sure u will get an amazing harvest one day, just give it some time :)

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    #10

    3.5 Years Of Tending To My White Currant Plant, And Finally... 4 White Currant!!!

    3.5 Years Of Tending To My White Currant Plant, And Finally... 4 White Currant!!!

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    #11

    This Is The Cucumber Harvest We've Been Waiting For. Sage Leaf For Scale

    This Is The Cucumber Harvest We've Been Waiting For. Sage Leaf For Scale

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    patience, wait for them to grow. or are this just for likes on internet?

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    #13

    Behold My Beefsteak Tomato

    Behold My Beefsteak Tomato

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    #14

    Please Enjoy My Bountiful Harvest- Triangle Carrot

    Please Enjoy My Bountiful Harvest- Triangle Carrot

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    Megan Foster of seed supplier American Meadows also spoke with The Spruce. She pointed out the importance of having pollinator plants, especially when planting fruits and vegetables. 

    Foster put it simply: “No pollinators means no vegetables, fruits, grains or oils (canola, sunflower, palm).” She then made a few suggestions to start with, especially for newbie growers. 

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    "Milkweed, coneflowers, and sunflowers are easy to grow and make a great addition to a vegetable garden. This makes it easier for bees, butterflies, and birds to spot them from the sky.”

    #16

    On The Menu Tonight: Carrot Cake For One (Mouse)

    On The Menu Tonight: Carrot Cake For One (Mouse)

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    #17

    The Great Potato Hartvest Of 2023

    The Great Potato Hartvest Of 2023

    Oy_wth_the_poodles Report

    #19

    My Zucchini! Tonight, We Dine Like Kings 👑

    My Zucchini! Tonight, We Dine Like Kings 👑

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    #20

    Vampires Aren’t Getting Within 100km Of This House!

    Vampires Aren’t Getting Within 100km Of This House!

    sh1nyburr1t0 Report

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    jue dududu
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes they are , they're scallions not garlic but ur undead now so I guess uv figured that out 🦇

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    #21

    I Waited All Summer For This Eggplant

    I Waited All Summer For This Eggplant

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    Orang lord
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There’s a joke about how size doesn't matter here, but I can't quite think of it

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    Most of these mishaps happen to beginner growers who don't know what they're doing. Krol advises at least familiarizing yourself with plant groups and then choosing the easy ones to grow.

    "Some of the groups are the broccoli, carrot, and pumpkin families, and they all have distinctive qualities. The bean family does not like frosts, so if you're in northern climates, you may not plant these until mid-summer, but the broccoli family, for example, will thrive in cooler areas."

    #22

    This Apple I Thought Was A Cherry

    This Apple I Thought Was A Cherry

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    really? with that long "thingy" sticking out on top. (In lack of the English word!)

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    #23

    Last Year The Critters Got Our Carrots. This Year, We Feast Like Kings

    Last Year The Critters Got Our Carrots. This Year, We Feast Like Kings

    Pining4Cones Report

    #24

    Anyone Know Where I Can Buy Bottles In Bulk To Bottle Up All The Hot Sauce I'm About To Make

    Anyone Know Where I Can Buy Bottles In Bulk To Bottle Up All The Hot Sauce I'm About To Make

    StrangeQuark1221 Report

    #25

    After Months Of Waiting, My First Fig

    After Months Of Waiting, My First Fig

    SomethingAwkwardTWC Report

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    It won't always be a bountiful harvest, but you can increase your chances of having excellent yields when the time comes. Here are some tips from Krol:

    "Organise a good composting system and compost as much of your own waste. You'd be surprised how good the veg is, and you also save money on shop-bought stuff. 

    "Grow only a few varieties every year, and master those before you spread yourself thin with dozens of species that all have different needs.

    "Grow the plants you will enjoy; don't bother with fancy and rare stuff for now; master those beans."

    #27

    With This Many Peppers, I Was Afraid They Wouldn't All Fit In The Frame

    With This Many Peppers, I Was Afraid They Wouldn't All Fit In The Frame

    Both_Industry_3331 Report

    #28

    How Many Pies Do You Think This Would Make?

    How Many Pies Do You Think This Would Make?

    wetforhouseplants Report

    You don’t have to be a gardening expert to know that sunlight affects plant growth. But it all comes down to the important question of how much. Certain plants need a specific amount to thrive, which landscape designer Carson Arthur discussed with CBC.

    "A good general rule of thumb is to go with leafier plants — things like kale, spinach, lettuce — in shadier spots because they [don't need as much] sunlight to grow and produce."

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    #29

    My Tomato Plant Is Working Extra Hard This Year

    My Tomato Plant Is Working Extra Hard This Year

    notmycownotmyproblem Report

    #30

    I Need Some Folks To Come Help Me Eat All Of This Silver Watermelon Before It Goes Bad

    I Need Some Folks To Come Help Me Eat All Of This Silver Watermelon Before It Goes Bad

    Skye_1444 Report

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    #31

    Mighty Tomatoes (Bananas For Scale)

    Mighty Tomatoes (Bananas For Scale)

    penguins4life28 Report

    #32

    Sharing This Juicy, Flavorful Melon

    Sharing This Juicy, Flavorful Melon

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    lovergxrl
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    omg i thought that was a real guy I was so confused why they were complaining lol

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    #33

    Corn On The Cob Anyone?

    Corn On The Cob Anyone?

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    AnkleByter
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's corn on the nub. If you grow enough corn, or just don't take the greatest care of your wild corn that's growing where it shouldn't be (eh hem, like us, sometimes) you'll end up with all kinds of weird things.

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    #34

    Today’s Mighty Raspberry Harvest!

    Today’s Mighty Raspberry Harvest!

    Gudgie1 Report

    Focusing on the topic, FoodShare Toronto Community Gardens Coordinator Natalie Bousted also shared some essential tips with CBC. She advises allotting between five to six hours for “hot crops” like eggplants, peppers, squashes, corn, and tomatoes.

    "If you have a space that actually just doesn't have six hours of direct sun, no matter how good a plant parent you are, you're not going to get those crops to yield very much, and you'll end up being disappointed," Bousted said, suggesting a shift to cold crops like kale, carrots, and spinach if you live in an area that doesn’t allow at least five hours of sun.

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    #35

    My Bountiful Lemon Harvest

    My Bountiful Lemon Harvest

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    #36

    I'll Have Salsa For The Next Two Years

    I'll Have Salsa For The Next Two Years

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    SEAGULL
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You are going to be needing a lot of chips for that one!

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    #37

    A Magnificent Feast Of Carrots

    A Magnificent Feast Of Carrots

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    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    please open a fine dining restaurant- u seem to have easily gotten the hang of how they plate their tiiiiiiny foods for u lol :D

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    #38

    In A Cold And Bleak Tasmanian Winter My Brave Warrior Has Given Its All And Produced This Magnificent Beast. So Proud

    In A Cold And Bleak Tasmanian Winter My Brave Warrior Has Given Its All And Produced This Magnificent Beast. So Proud

    tomesx2 Report

    #39

    This Mighty Lemon Drop Chili Lives Up To Its Name!

    This Mighty Lemon Drop Chili Lives Up To Its Name!

    Teemu556 Report

    #40

    Beet Farming Is My Passion

    Beet Farming Is My Passion

    BreadfruitIll9915 Report

    #41

    Just Harvested All My Corn. Should I Invite The Neighbors For A Feast?

    Just Harvested All My Corn. Should I Invite The Neighbors For A Feast?

    dreamingirl7 Report

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    SEAGULL
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Depends on how much your neighbours eat. (Do I get bonus points for using the British spelling?)

    #42

    Finished Harvesting Our Minnesota Potatoes

    Finished Harvesting Our Minnesota Potatoes

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    We spoke to a few experts who suggested French introductory crops for newbie gardeners in the previous piece we published. According to Alison Levey of The Blackberry Garden blog, French beans, potatoes, and courgettes are excellent starters. 

    Carson Arthur recommends leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, and lettuce. Meanwhile, Bousted suggests starting with bulbous crops since you can harvest them regardless of season. 

    "A lot of people don't know that a spring onion is actually just a smaller version of a full onion that hasn't grown to its full size yet. You could pull some out in spring and leave some to grow to their full size," Bousted said.

    #43

    Help! I Need Ideas On How To Use All These Radishes!

    Help! I Need Ideas On How To Use All These Radishes!

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    could have been a a great radish if given time, or just was to crowded and this had to be thinned out.

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    As an enthusiastic beginner gardener, it’s natural to want to start with the plants that pique your interest the most. Some would choose to grow their favorite vegetables. However, Arthur offered an important caveat to take note of.

    "As you start getting into vegetables that produce — whether they produce a fruit, an edible flower, or anything where the plant itself is not what you eat — that's when it starts getting more complicated because it needs more energy, more food, more water to actually produce that fruit." 

    #48

    Pickled This Year's Pepper Harvest

    Pickled This Year's Pepper Harvest

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    #49

    This Year’s Carrots! Won’t Be Hungry For At Least A Few Minutes After This Feast

    This Year’s Carrots! Won’t Be Hungry For At Least A Few Minutes After This Feast

    yuorwelcom Report

    #50

    I’ve Been Told Y’all Would Appreciate My Tomato Here!

    I’ve Been Told Y’all Would Appreciate My Tomato Here!

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    Instead of going with your favorites, Arthur suggests focusing on plants that best suit your skill level and the amount of time you can commit to tending them. This will provide you with a more realistic view of the outcome. 

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    "Most homeowners will not have an amazing successful garden the first time [they] do it. This is one of those things that you're going to have to try year after year and stick with it, understanding that not everything is going to be successful right from the beginning."

    #51

    Gonna Make A Pot Of Sauce Tonight

    Gonna Make A Pot Of Sauce Tonight

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    This part of the text is when we ask you, our beloved readers, for your input. We’d love to hear about your gardening ventures and how they turned out. Were they a resounding success? Or did they fail to live up to your expectations? Comment below!