15 Common Foods You Can’t Grow in Your Own Backyard!
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Nowadays, most gardeners are striving for a sustainable source of fresh food and no longer a hobby. Yet, although there is much to be said for home gardening, there’s a catch — not everything you see in the stores will work in your climate.
This will save you time, energy, and frustration when learning what foods to steer clear of. So, to learn 15 common foods you cannot grow in your backyard, read this article till the end.
Rhubarb Leaves

The leaf stalks are fine to eat, but the actual leaves of the rhubarb have a high content of oxalic acid and anthraquinone glycosides, which are toxic when ingested. As the NIH has declared, toxic quantities of oxalic acid can lead to kidney stones and many other serious health effects.
To avoid such toxicity, plant replacements could be highly vitamin A-rich in your own garden instead, so you would have less harmful leafy greens to eat (such as spinach or kale).
LoganBerries
Cane and leaf rust are two of Loganberry’s frequent diseases. They also cross-fertilize with other berry species, particularly damaging to the genetic integrity of local species.
While some might want to grow it themselves, Loganberries continue to be cultivated as a product of commercial growing and are sold in limited quantities.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
GMO patents have been acquired by companies such as Monsanto and Syngenta. They’re strictly regulated, licensed, and subject to the copyright code of conduct – thus, private growth without a license or PBR infringement is illegal.
Look for organic, sustainable heirloom varieties that are often more varied in flavors and nutritional traits compared to conventionally developed monolithic GMO superstars.
Cherimoya
Cherimoya needs certain pollinators, and uncontrollable planting can hence lead to local ecosystem disturbance and restrictions.
A better alternative would be a plant that is sometimes called the “poor man’s banana”: pawpaw, which is more versatile and grows in a greater area of climates, especially across North America.
Bitter Almonds
Amygdalin is a compound that can turn into cyanide after being eaten, which is found in bitter almonds. Bitter almonds can cause cyanide poisoning and hence need to be strictly regulated, as per the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Sweet almonds, by contrast, can be raised in your own orchard with confidence and not after planting the bitter flowering version.
Uncultivated Berries
These fruits span hundreds of hectares; they’re wild, palatable fruits that depend on their environment and interactions, and you can’t make them in your backyard.
The same is heavily controlled in some areas to safeguard the endemics and to deter the hungry eaters from mistaking them for deadly dupes. Instead, try growing blueberries and raspberries, which are greener.
Mirabelle Plums
Mirabelle plums have to be grown in a humid climate, with a high season of humidity at the crucial stages of development, very seldom to be found elsewhere other than Lorraine in France, and one cannot imagine a home farmer making good fruit anywhere else.
Another option would be Japanese plums, which are climate-independent and, therefore, less dependent on environmental conditions.
Sassafras
Sassafras, which contain large percentages of safrole, has been an essential ingredient in traditional remedies for a long time. However, it turned out that safrole is very toxic to humans because it is carcinogenic.
That has also resulted in its outright ban by the U.S. FDA. And therefore, you would not have to sow them in your garden. If you want to enjoy these same tastes without the trouble, anise or star anise is an excellent replacement.
Kava
In most nations, kava plants are banned by law because they are psychoactive. It can cause liver damage and other serious health problems if overconsumed.
Chamomile and valerian root are herbs that provide a calming impact when grown in the backyard.
Durian
The durian is known to the experts as the “king of fruits.” You can identify it from its acrid fragrance and thick custard flesh. The stench is noxious and seeps for blocks.
Jackfruit sits on the opposite end of the spectrum with a mild sweetness to counteract spice.
Cashew Nuts
Cashew plants contain urushiol, the same chemical as poison ivy, which triggers allergic reactions. Since cashew nuts can’t be processed in order to avert the toxin from being ingested, growing them at home is generally not recommended.
An alternative for that is sweet almonds, as they are safe and effective food due to being high in protein, fat & vitamin E that it is associated with heart health and healthy cholesterol levels.
Castor Beans
Castor beans are not suitable for backyard cultivation due to their high toxicity. Ricin, one of the poisonous naturally occurring substances, is extracted from the seeds of the castor plant.
This feature is why flaxseed is a great alternative to castor.
Garlic Mustard
Garlic mustard has become a ubiquitous invasive species that dominates forests, enveloping native plants and overrunning entire habitats.
Don’t plant garlic mustard in your backyard; it’s wildly destructive and, once established, can be hard to eradicate. Arugula or mustard greens can substitute.
Asiatic Bittersweet
As stunning as it is – a display of ruby fruits and flowering vines – it is a grave threat to local ecosystems. It’s notorious for its rapid succession and its capacity to create thickets that supplant natural plant material.
The same proposed ornamental vine substitute with no risk, the American bittersweet; unlike its Asian relative, it is not poisonous to the local ecosystem.
Magic mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, for instance, are fungi and are prohibited in certain states like Georgia because they’re psychoactive, and it’s illegal to pick them.
The chemicals contained in these mushrooms make them hallucinogenic, among other harmful psychedelics, and they are illegal drugs.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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