Why Gardening Is Overrated
7 Honest Reasons Gardening Isn’t for Everyone (And Why It’s Still Worth It)
This article accompanies the GardenShrink video:
“Why You Should NOT Garden.”
Why Gardening Is Overrated
Gardening is often portrayed as relaxing, peaceful, and deeply rewarding.
…and sometimes it is.
But the truth—
the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth—is this:
Gardeners lie.
Yes, that’s right.
We smile.
We post pictures.
We talk about fresh tomatoes and peaceful mornings…
…and we conveniently leave out the part where the bugs showed up, the deer finished things off,
and we stood there wondering—do we play Taps for our diseased plant… or compost it?
If you’ve ever wondered why gardening is harder than it looks—or why so many beginners give up—you’re not alone.
But the good news?
I’m here to give you the low down—
the rest of the story.
Gardening can be messy, frustrating, time-consuming, and humbling.
Very humbling.
Surprised?
Good.
If you’re going to garden, it’s best to start with your eyes wide open…
and a good laugh.
I’m going to try to give you both—
one scoop for your head…
and a second scoop for your heart.
So grab your trowel…
and let’s get started.
Gardening gets romanticized.
A lot.
You see the finished product—
the baskets of vegetables,
the sunsets,
the peaceful moments.
What you don’t always see is everything in between.
The sweat.
The waiting.
The uncertainty.
The quiet failures that show up… slowly.
Because gardening doesn’t just grow plants.
It grows patience.
It grows humility.
And if you stick with it long enough—
it grows you.
The Top Reasons Gardening Is Overrated
(…and why people keep doing it anyway)
1. It’s More Work Than Anyone Admits
Gardening is a hobby.
But so is learning to change a transmission.
Nobody calls that relaxing either.
You will sweat, get dirty, and take some acetaminophen.
And there’s a decent chance you’ll go to bed early.
But here’s the part gardeners don’t lie about—
You sleep like a baby.
You build a little strength.
And somehow… you end up enjoying the shower more than ever.
Turns out, effort has a way of paying you back.
2. Bugs Think You Opened a Restaurant
You plant a garden.
They see a buffet.
You see tomatoes.
They see opportunity.
And they don’t wait for an invitation.
A garden without bugs… isn’t really a garden.
It’s part of the system.
And learning how to deal with that—without losing your mind—
that’s part of becoming a gardener.
And you do have one advantage…
a slightly bigger cerebral cortex than a Japanese beetle.
3. Animals Assume It’s a Community Garden
You plant it.
They eat it.
Deer.
Rabbits.
Groundhogs.
They don’t read property lines.
Now this is where most people get frustrated.
Over time, it’s also where something shifts.
You stop thinking like an owner…
and start thinking like a steward.
Fences go up.
Plans get smarter.
And slowly—
you begin working with reality instead of arguing with it.
As they said in Jurassic Park—
life finds a way.
Because you know what?
Mother Nature has a bigger cerebral cortex than you do.
4. The Weather Is in Charge (Not You)
You can plan everything perfectly.
And then—
a late frost shows up.
Or a heat wave.
Or three days of rain you didn’t ask for.
Gardening has a way of gently reminding you:
The truth is, you are not in control here.
And oddly enough—
that’s part of the relief.
Because when everything doesn’t depend on you…
you can finally do your part—
and let Mother Nature do hers.
5. It Takes Longer Than You Want
We live in a “plant it Monday, eat it Friday” world.
Gardening doesn’t work that way.
You plant, you wait, and you check…
At first, you wonder if anything is happening…
…and then one day—
something is.
Gardening retrains your sense of time.
Turns out, the tortoise wasn’t just racing—
he was gardening.
And in a culture that rushes everything—
that might be one of its greatest gifts.
6. You Will Make Mistakes
I hate making mistakes.
Hate it.
But here’s what I’ve learned,
I become a much better, more informed, and more complete gardener through my myriad of mistakes than I ever do when I simply luck into a successful harvest.
Mistakes don’t just happen in a garden.
They teach in a garden.
Compost isn’t the waste pile—
it’s the Library of Science.
7. You Start Caring About Things You Never Noticed Before
At some point, something changes.
You notice the soil.
The light.
The weather patterns.
You start paying attention in a way you didn’t before.
And what starts as a hobby…
becomes something more like awareness.
You’re paying attention—
and growing a life
Farmer Dave Truth
“You don’t have a pest or a varmint problem…
you’ve got an all-you-can-eat buffet.”
Dr. Dave Insight
One of the reasons gardening resonates with people—even when it’s frustrating—is that it follows the same rules as real change.
Not the fantasy version.
The real one.
Growth takes time.
It requires attention.
It doesn’t always go in a straight line.
And effort doesn’t always pay off immediately.
But over time—if you keep tending—
small things become bigger things.
And what once felt like work…
starts to feel like progress.
And starts to resemble a harvest.
Garden Takeaway
How to Start a Garden (If You’ve Never Done This Before)
If all of this sounds a little intimidating…
good.
That means you’re paying attention.
So let’s make this simple.
Start small.
A few containers.
A small raised bed.
Even a couple pots on a deck or patio.
You don’t need much:
- sunlight (more is generally better)
- decent soil
- water (more if in containers)
- and consistency
Pick one or two things you enjoy eating:
- tomatoes
- herbs
- lettuce
- peppers
You don’t need to master gardening.
You just need to begin.
I’ve learned much from reading and listening.
I’ve learned the most from doing.
Want to Go a Little Further?
If this got you thinking about starting a garden—or starting again—
I’ve shared some of my gardening mistakes in a previous post (Mistakes I’ve Made).
Check it out, and be sure to return for more gardening how-to’s later in the season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gardening
(A deeper dive for those who want the science behind it)
Is gardening actually good for mental health?
Yes—and this is one of the most consistent findings in the research.
Gardening has been associated with:
- reduced stress
- improved mood
- lower symptoms of depression and anxiety
- increased life satisfaction
Part of this comes from exposure to natural environments, which has been shown to lower cortisol levels and support nervous system regulation.
But it’s not just the environment.
It’s also the process.
Gardening combines movement, attention, and visible progress—all of which are known to support psychological well-being.
Why does gardening feel calming (even when it’s work)?
Because it engages multiple systems at once.
Research in environmental psychology points to something called attention restoration—natural settings help reset our ability to focus after mental fatigue.
At the same time, gardening provides:
- light physical activity
- structured tasks
- immediate feedback
That combination creates a kind of grounded, focused state that many people experience as calming—even when they’re sweating.
Does gardening count as exercise?
It does.
Gardening is considered a form of moderate physical activity, similar to walking or light yard work. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, activities like gardening can contribute to overall physical health and daily movement.
It involves:
- bending
- lifting
- digging
- carrying
Over time, this can contribute to improved strength, mobility, and overall health.
Why do people stick with gardening long-term?
Because it operates on a different reward system than most modern activities.
Most things today are fast, easy, and immediate.
Gardening is none of those.
It’s slow.
It’s effortful.
And the payoff is delayed.
But that’s exactly why it becomes meaningful.
You don’t just consume the result—
you participate in it—
from birth to death,
through all stages of life,
all in one growing season.
Is gardening worth it if you’re busy?
It depends on how you approach it.
A large garden can feel like a second job.
But a small garden can fit into almost any life.
A few containers.
A short daily check-in.
That’s enough to get many of the benefits—without becoming overwhelmed.
Final Thought
Gardening may be overrated.
It’s messy.
Unpredictable.
Sometimes frustrating.
But it’s also something else.
It slows you down.
It teaches you patience.
It rewards attention.
And over time—if you keep tending—
what once felt like work…
starts to feel like progress.
And starts to resemble a harvest.
If you’ve ever found yourself learning the hard way, you’re not alone—
that’s part of the process. (You can read more about that here: “Garden Mistakes I’ve Made”)
Better harvests.
Better lives.