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.
#1 My First Potato (Banana For Scale)
Image credits: PlayfulMixture5188
#2 Brushes Off Shoulder
Image credits: JimmyJamJango
According to Mississippi State University, poor pollination is one of the main reasons why plants produce fruits that are underwhelming in size. Apart from the miniature results, the seed count could be lower than usual.
Temperature also plays a role since the stress of too much warmth can impede fruit growth. Likewise, a lack of water can render the same effects. On the flip side, keeping plants shaded during cloudy weather also hinders full fruit development.
#3 King Of The Pineapples
Image credits: theCOMBOguy
#4 Behold My Prize Winning Pumpkin
Image credits: qwertykitty
#5 We Shall Feast As Kings!
Image credits: Ant_Livid
#6 Glory To My Bounty
Image credits: DippyNikki
#7 This Barbie's Making Salsa Tonight!
Image credits: StylistDenali
#8 Tomato And Cat For Size
Image credits: Successful_You8758
But 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.
#9 3.5 Years Of Tending To My White Currant Plant, And Finally... 4 White Currant!!!
Image credits: twilbo
#10 My Biggest Pepper Of The Year
Image credits: completelyreal
#11 Behold My Beefsteak Tomato
Image credits: Babysub1
#12 This Is The Cucumber Harvest We've Been Waiting For. Sage Leaf For Scale
Image credits: herfjoter
#13 Mightiest Corn Harvest Of The Season
Image credits: SamWasTakenTwice
#14 A Bountiful Chili Harvest
Image credits: jammie19
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.
"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.”
#15 On The Menu Tonight: Carrot Cake For One (Mouse)
Image credits: adioshomie
#16 3 Massive Bunches Of Grapes
Image credits: McChelsea
#17 The Great Potato Hartvest Of 2023
Image credits: Oy_wth_the_poodles
#18 Please Enjoy My Bountiful Harvest- Triangle Carrot
Image credits: vev97
#19 This Apple I Thought Was A Cherry
Image credits: ChichenNuggests
#20 My Zucchini! Tonight, We Dine Like Kings ?
Image credits: leafbich
#21 Vampires Aren’t Getting Within 100km Of This House!
Image credits: sh1nyburr1t0
#22 I Waited All Summer For This Eggplant
Image credits: winedrinker94
Foster also suggests planting companion plants. In a nutshell, companion planting is the process of growing different complementary crops alongside each other to help foster healthy growth in your beloved crops.
She then came up with a list, which included peppers and alyssum, pole beans and passion flower vine, lettuce and calendula, tomatoes and borage, and cucumbers and nasturtiums and dill.
#23 Last Year The Critters Got Our Carrots. This Year, We Feast Like Kings
Image credits: Pining4Cones
#24 After Months Of Waiting, My First Fig
Image credits: SomethingAwkwardTWC
#25 How Many Pies Do You Think This Would Make?
Image credits: wetforhouseplants
#26 Anyone Know Where I Can Buy Bottles In Bulk To Bottle Up All The Hot Sauce I'm About To Make
Image credits: StrangeQuark1221
#27 My Tomato Plant Is Working Extra Hard This Year
Image credits: notmycownotmyproblem
#28 With This Many Peppers, I Was Afraid They Wouldn't All Fit In The Frame
Image credits: Both_Industry_3331
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."
#29 I Need Some Folks To Come Help Me Eat All Of This Silver Watermelon Before It Goes Bad
Image credits: Skye_1444
#30 Our Bountiful Harvest Last Year
Image credits: d_i_f_m
