I have a Sim living in the world and ran into the same issue. She isn't allowed to grow anything she doesn't find in the wild, and she can't cook without ingredients she grows, so this is a problem. The tomato plants and "fruit tree" in the Finchwick town square don't function properly. She lives near the lot so she does't have to "Travel" to get there. They grow, but never bear produce. When she visits the lot/bar properly by travelling, they become dirt piles.
Also, nobody attends the Old New Henford community garden, and nothing gets planted. My Sim doesn't have the option to plant anything, either, even with new seed packets & fruit in her inventory.
I do play with game fixing mods, though, so I'm not sure how to go about providing a save file.
