did my tomatoes really thrive this year?

Every summer, as the sun warms our little backyard, I’m reminded of my mother’s old tomato patch—lush, wild, and bursting with fruit. This year, I tried to follow her ways: no fancy gadgets, just good earth and patience. But my neighbor, half my age, swears by his hydroponic setup and LED lights. He calls my methods outdated, even quaint. Still, when I taste my tomatoes, I’m transported back to childhood, barefoot in the garden, juice running down my chin. Yet, I can’t help but wonder—are these old ways really better, or am I just clinging to memories? My harvest was decent, but the fruit wasn’t as big or as perfect as the ones in the grocery store or my neighbor’s high-tech crop. Here in our North American climate, with its unpredictable storms and late frosts, I sometimes envy the control technology gives. But I also worry: does chasing perfect produce mean losing the soul of gardening? Some in our community frown on the plastic and wires of modern setups, while others say tradition holds us back. Do you stick to the old ways, or embrace the new? Is there room for both in our gardens—and our hearts? #tomatogardening #familytradition #modernvstraditional #Gardening