It's not hard, but you have to like doing it. If it's a real chore, then it's not going to be a good garden. Focus on easily grown plants like green beans, lettuce, peas, potatoes, carrots, and herbs. Corn is a tough crop for a home gardener only because it needs a fairly big plot for cross-pollination. Corn is also a target for crows.
Some gardeners run into trouble when they try to grow exotic varieties.
Mrs. Keller has learned from experience. She planted radicchio seeds from Italy, but the plant was way too bitter because of Connecticut soil conditions. Our soil is not like Georgia's. Gardens can take many shapes and forms. Farmer MacGregor may have planted his garden in rows, but many people prefer raised beds.