my first garlic harvest: old wisdom vs. new garden rules

I still remember the scent of garlic in my grandmother’s kitchen, her hands stained from braiding bulbs she’d grown herself. This week, I pulled my own garlic from the earth for the first time, and it felt like a bridge across generations—something ancient, yet so relevant today. But as I hung my garlic to cure on the porch, my neighbor frowned. She said the HOA prefers tidy flowerbeds, not ‘messy’ vegetables. It made me wonder: when did growing food at home become a rebellion? In my childhood, every backyard had tomatoes, beans, and yes, garlic. Now, some see it as unsightly, or even against the rules. Our North American climate is perfect for garlic—cool winters, warm summers. Yet, community norms seem to favor manicured lawns over edible landscapes. Is this progress, or are we losing something vital? I find comfort in the earthy smell of freshly dug bulbs, a reminder of family and simpler times. But I also feel the tension: tradition versus modern aesthetics, self-sufficiency versus conformity. Do you remember gardens from your childhood? Would you risk a letter from the HOA for the taste of homegrown garlic? Let’s talk about what we’re willing to fight for in our own backyards. #garlicharvest #familytradition #gardenmemories #Gardening