i used to really love gardening. then i did landscape architecture. plants- especially herbs or anything edible were my special interest. my favourite things to grow are:
parsley(because i use it a lot in food, it self seeds and it is annual so fungal diseases don't catch hold.)
common mint- it grows vigorously, i use it fresh and dried in food a lot. only drawbacks are that it grows vigorously so you should probably grow it in a pot and it is perennial and is susceptible to rust.
cherry tomato- self seeding, annual, it produces a lot and i have only ever had minor issues with blackspot.
thyme- use it a lot in cooking and it grows vigorously.
catnip- i just bought this for the novelty and my neighbours cats seemed to like it. it makes a minty tisane. same problems as mint.
grapes- the leaves i use a lot in cooking.
nasturtium- flowers and leaves taste good. like sweet radish.
purslane- good in everything. it grows by the wayside here as a weed.
radish.
strawberry- watch out for pests.
rocket- grows a lot.
lettuce- self seeds.
onion- i am told you can grow this by cutting the roots a couple of cms from the bottom and sticking it in dirt.
garlic- the whole thing is edible and you only have to stick a clove in dirt and wait for stuff to happen.
loquat, mulberry, fig and mango are trees i would want if i could have them.
pineapple- take the spiky bit, cut it off a few cms from where it meets the fruit. stick in dirt. easy as 1,2,3. but it fruits in 3yrs and dies.
i also want stevia and camomile, valerian, st johns wart and yarrow, blueberry.
violets, roses, geraniums all have decent tasting flowers.