do you remember your first garden companion?

When I was a child, my grandmother’s backyard was alive with more than just flowers and vegetables. She always had a few "garden pets"—the neighborhood squirrels she fed peanuts, a stray cat napping under the lilacs, and even a pair of robins that returned every spring. These creatures were as much a part of her garden as the peonies and tomatoes. Today, I notice fewer people welcome these wild guests. Some neighbors complain about rabbits nibbling their lettuce or birds scattering seeds. There’s a growing trend toward perfectly manicured, pest-free yards—something my grandmother would have found cold and lifeless. Are we losing something precious in our pursuit of order and control? Here in the Midwest, our gardens are shaped by harsh winters and humid summers. The animals that visit are survivors, adapting alongside us. I still leave out a shallow dish of water for the chipmunks, and sometimes I get scolded by others in my community for "encouraging pests." But isn’t there a kind of healing in sharing our space with these small lives? Maybe it’s old-fashioned, but I believe a garden should be a sanctuary for all. Do you side with the new rules and tidy lawns, or do you miss the days when every backyard had its own wild companions? Let’s talk about what we gain—and what we lose—when we choose between community standards and the messy, beautiful traditions of the past. #gardenmemories #natureheals #communitydebate #Gardening