Oh I mean, bloated files might be my problem.
I realize your gardener-who-won't-garden is a relatively new save for you.
But wow, so much lag and freezing already in a new save? Is it because of the size of your Sims 4 folder, rather than that particular save?
I'm thinking mostly of the Tray folder. To avoid larger than necessary Tray folders and to be able to with or without cc, I have separate Sims 4 folders.
I feel for you and your dysfunctional gardener. :/