why does my okra look so different this summer?
Every summer, I remember my grandmother’s garden—her okra stood tall, leaves lush and pods crisp. But this year, my own okra plants look nothing like hers. The leaves are smaller, the pods misshapen, and the plants seem to struggle in the relentless heat.
Is it just me, or have our summers changed? My neighbors say the old ways—mulching with straw, planting by the moon—don’t work like they used to. Some of the younger folks in our community garden swear by new drip irrigation systems and shade cloths, while others stick to tradition, insisting that nature knows best.
Here in the Midwest, the weather’s been unpredictable: late frosts, sudden heatwaves, and heavy rains. I wonder if these wild swings are why my okra is suffering. Or maybe it’s the soil—my grandmother always composted kitchen scraps, but now our HOA frowns on backyard compost piles.
I miss the days when gardening felt simple, passed down from family, a way to connect with the land and each other. Now, it feels like every choice—organic or not, native plants or exotics, following rules or breaking them—sparks a debate.
Have you noticed your okra changing? Do you stick to old methods, or have you tried something new? I’d love to hear your stories, especially if you’ve found ways to keep your garden thriving through these strange seasons.
#okra #gardeningmemories #climatechange #Gardening
