oregano gone wild: old habits meet new garden chaos
A few years back, I tossed some leftover oregano seeds into a forgotten patch by my fence—just like my mother used to do with any spare seeds. Back then, gardening was about using what you had, letting nature take its course. Now, every time I walk past that border, I see a tangled, lush mess of oregano. It’s wild, unruly, and honestly, a little embarrassing compared to my neighbor’s perfectly trimmed beds.
But here’s the thing: this oregano jungle reminds me of summers spent in my grandmother’s backyard, where herbs grew wherever they pleased, and no one worried about HOA rules or curb appeal. Today, some folks say we should stick to neat, planned gardens—pollinator-friendly, drought-resistant, all by the book. Others, like me, still believe in letting plants find their own way, even if it means breaking a few neighborhood norms.
Is it better to let our gardens run free, embracing the chaos and memories, or should we bow to modern trends and community standards? As the Midwest heat rolls in and the oregano thrives, I can’t help but wonder: are we losing something precious when we trade wild beauty for order?
#oregano #gardeningdebate #familytradition #Gardening
