rediscovering summer squash: old wisdom vs. new trends
When I was a child, my grandmother’s garden was a patchwork of green, with summer squash sprawling under the July sun. She’d always say, “Let the earth decide what thrives.” These days, my neighbors swap heirloom seeds for hybrid varieties, chasing bigger yields and Instagram-worthy harvests. I wonder if we’re losing something precious in the process.
In our North American climate, the old ways meant planting after the last frost, trusting the soil, and sharing extra squash with friends. Now, some folks use raised beds, drip irrigation, and even apps to track their plants. Is all this technology making gardening better, or just more complicated?
I miss the taste of squash picked warm from the vine, a flavor that never quite matches store-bought. But my daughter prefers the uniform, picture-perfect squash from the market. She says it’s about convenience and looks. I say it’s about connection—to family, to land, to memory.
Our community garden has rules about what we can plant, and sometimes it feels like tradition clashes with modern aesthetics. Some want neat rows and tidy beds; others, like me, long for the wild tangle of an old-fashioned patch. Which is better for the environment? Which brings more joy?
As summer storms roll in and drought warnings flash on the news, I wonder if we need to blend the old and new. Maybe the answer isn’t one or the other, but a conversation between generations, rooted in our shared love for the land.
#summersquash #gardeningdebate #familytraditions #Gardening
