Gardening actually includes hard work, and requires a continuous effort throughout the spring and summer, and planning in the winter. The patriotic citizens that had Victory Gardens going in 1945 went back to lawns in 1946 for a reason. If someone is not building raised beds, the battle against weeds will be continous throughout the entire growing season, and that sucks. Yes, every crop has it’s own season depending on where you are, although you can grow cilantro in a little pot on your kitchen window sill year ‘round. You will also be dealing with wildlife and insects unless you are container gardening on a porch or deck. If vegetable gardening was easy, everyone would be doing it since the rewards are great. Absolutely nothing beats a fresh homegrown tomato. I find gardening relaxing, except for those little furry spinach eating bastards, and I love to can and freeze my produce to get through the long winter.

There are lots of resources for gardeners in almost any community, including community gardens, state agricultural extensions, and even the big box hardware stores have free gardening classes. A prospective gardener should talk to local gardeners about what will work and what won’t given the region’s soil, temperature, and rainfall, but there will still be a learning curve that will never end.

By the way, unless you live on the end of Tobacco Road, invest in some decent looking ceramic, or if you must, plastic pots if you are going to do container gardening, which is the most efficient way to grow almost anything. No one wants to see filthy old drywall buckets on your porch. Besides, the more money you spend on a hobby the more time you’ll devote to it.