Garden plot

The garden plot is an object that allows Sims to plant seeds and grow produce. They were first introduced in The Sims: Unleashed, and later reintroduced in The Sims: Makin' Magic and The Sims 2: Seasons. While it is still possible to garden in The Sims 3, garden plots are no longer required, since seeds can be planted anywhere on the ground.

The Sims
The Sims: Unleashed introduced a garden plot that can be used to plant green beans, lettuce, tomatoes, and carrots. Garden plots are objects that must be placed down individually; however, unlike most other objects, Sims can walk over them, and they are placed from build mode rather than buy mode. The Sims: Makin' Magic also introduced a garden plot that is used to plant elderberries and grapes, and functions similarly to the one introduced in Unleashed. However, elderberries and grapes cannot be planted in the Unleashed garden plot, nor can Unleashed crops be planted in the Makin' Magic plot.

The Sims 2
Gardening plots return in The Sims 2: Seasons and are used for growing crops. Gardening plots can now be plopped down in the same fashion as foundations, easily allowing for a large section of land to be covered with garden plots, instead of being individually placed as in The Sims.

Once placed, Sims can choose to plant a crop, or fertilize the plot first. Fertilizing a plot is not required to grow crops, although doing so yields better results. Plots can be fertilized with a bag for §10, or for free with compost. When a Sim plants a crop, they are automatically charged the price for the seeds. They will dig a hole, drop the seeds in, and push the dirt back over it. Once this is done, Sims will have to water, tend, and spray the plant in order to keep it healthy.

Sims can abort the growth of any crop by clicking on the plant and selecting "Compost". This will add the plant to a compost bin and make the plot available for other plants.