There are sub-genres of gardeners. Some are as different from each other as one of your summer bops is from your winter mood music. If you’ve been a plant person for a while, you know what I mean:
The pintrest, IG-worthy, aspirational garden that we love to look at longingly while taking a lunch break. There’s probably someone who looks great in a sundress, or shirtless, running it.
The full-on homesteader/prepper, who grows 90% of what they eat and have specialized methods of preserving everything. And the freezer/storage space to do so. Their yard is functional-looking, but ugly-chic. Things made out of pallets and stacks of cardboard abound.
The flower granny, who throws down a stack of cash every year on the old-fashioned flowers she has always grown. They might include petunias, roses, sunflowers, impatens, marigolds, snapdragons, etc.
The urban go-getter gardeners, who plant things in pots and whatever small space they can can manage. They can make a paradise out of a 10’x4’ strip. They may grab a bed at the local community garden, as well.
At times, I have been all of these. Right now, I’m a mix of a few. We all contain multitudes, after all.
What contains a lot of our multitude, however, is time. Those of us who work for a living, especially full-time, have to make a whole life happen outside of work. It can be hard to have hobbies while keeping up with basic house chores and self-care. Add kids, pets, and friends and family to the mix, and you’ve got a full plate. If this sounds like you, I want to validate that if gardening has had to take a backseat in the midst of all this, that is okay. However, if you’re reading this, that probably means you have chosen to include working with plants in your busy life. Fantastic, let’s go.
Here are the lenses through which I ranked these top garden plants for working people:
Low maintenance. All plants need care, especially at first. These plants are pretty tolerant of different conditions and perform well once established.
Pick-and-eat. These plants don’t require much prep time in the kitchen to enjoy. No dirty roots washing, peeling, curing, or other tediousness
Sensory value. They add charm and joy to a space, relaxing you in your free time, and engage your senses with pleasant scents. They put on a show of pollinators for your enjoyment on your day off.
There are options for small spaces, shade, and of course, full sun. I’ve included links to our farm’s website, where these varieties are available for sale now until May 10, 2025.
Here are my top picks for gardeners with full-time jobs:
Cherry tomatoes. No shocker here. These plants require less trellis support and struggle with less disease than varieties of larger tomatoes. A simple tomato cage will do the trick. They ripen quickly, and are ideal for the walk between your driveway and your front door, offering a handful of flavor when you get home from work. They can be grown in large, 5-gal buckets, raised beds, or in-ground. They need full sun.
Chives. These cut-and-come again perennials will be there for you all season long. Their fine, tender leaves are some of the first things to appear in spring, and in early summer their edible purple blossoms taste great on scrambled eggs or in salads. They don’t need much help once established, don’t take up much space at all, and can tolerate some shade. Best grown in-ground.
Nasturtiums. A best-selling favorite of our seedling customers, this gorgeous plant had edible lily-pad shaped leaves and bright, soft flowers that both taste similar to arugula. Unlike arugula, it grows vigorously all season long, offering harvest after harvest while still looking good enough to be an ornamental plant. Add some to your to-go lunches for work! Full-sun to part shade. Plant in-ground, in a raised bed, or a large pot.
Tulsi. The strongest and most compelling fragrance of any plant I grow, even lavender! Plus it grows much quicker and easier. This plant will attract all kinds of interesting pollinator visitors to your garden. Using it is as simple as harvesting bunches to dry for tea, or sticking a fresh sprig in your water or lemonade overnight to enjoy a cold-infused tulsi drink. Full-sun, and works in a large pot, raised bed, or in-ground.
Lacinato Kale. You can grow just about all the greens you will need with one plant per person in your household. It won’t leave unharvested or diseased fruit on the ground at the end of the season, either. Kale is cut-and come-again, and waits patiently for you to come and get it. Using it is as simple as washing it gently in the sink and then adding it to dishes, or freezing for later use. I could have put any type of kale here, or collards, but Lacinato is a favorite. Use scarlet kale instead if you want a pop of purple color. Can take part shade, and grows best in a raised bed or in-ground bed.
Runners up: snap peas, hyacinth bean flowers, and salad turnips.
I hope this was helpful! Let me know what your tried-and-true favorites are. Happy Spring Equinox season everyone!
Such useful info! Thank you!