onions or grass: which belongs in our yards?
Every spring, as I kneel in my backyard, I remember my grandmother’s garden—a patchwork of onions, garlic, and wildflowers, not a blade of manicured grass in sight. Back then, gardens were for food and family, not for show. Today, my neighbors argue over the perfect green lawn, while I sneak in rows of onions along the fence, just like grandma did.
There’s a quiet tension in our community: some cling to the old ways, planting what feeds us and connects us to our roots. Others chase the modern dream of flawless turf, driven by HOA rules and neighborhood pride. I see the difference in every yard—some lush with vegetables, others trimmed and empty.
But here in North America, where droughts and water bans are becoming the norm, I wonder: is it time to rethink our lawns? Onions thrive in our changing climate, need less water, and remind me of family dinners and laughter. Yet, the pressure to conform to the green-lawn ideal is real—sometimes I feel judged for my "messy" garden.
Do we honor tradition and sustainability, or do we bow to modern aesthetics and community standards? Every time I pull a fresh onion from the earth, I feel a tug between past and present. Maybe it’s time we talk about what really matters in our yards—and in our hearts.
#onionsorgrass #gardeningdebate #familytraditions #Gardening
