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| The Three Gorges Dam is proof that man can only put a dent in Creation, which is far more powerful than we can imagine. |
After a gloomy and grumpy morning post, Sassy and I went outside to discover proof of serious raining overnight. Ranger Bob, the crew, and I have new roses that start leafing out in the summer rain. They were on clearance, so do not judge me.
I looked at the driveway and sidewalk, where all kinds of plant material was gathered, stuck to the concrete by moisture. I have fenced the Rose Garden in, to hold back water and mulch, but some escapes to feed sidewalk weeds, the hardiest plants I grow.
Someone told me about a family member, "He hates crabgrass." I reminded the messenger that crabgrass was brought over for its grain. It is very productive and a real pig for sunshine. My solution for knee-high crabgrass was to cover it with cardboard and wood mulch. That area, a virtual DMZ - where weeds and slugs crept in and defeated my plans, is now prolific for butterfly plants (Joe Pye, Butterfly Weed, Comfrey, and Hidden Lily).
Everything growing contributes to the soil, because the soil turns organic material into soil amendments and plant roots add the most of all.
It is not a zero sum game, unless the gardener removes all dead leaves, debris, sticks, twigs, and manure. Some gather those items, compost them, and return them as Red Bull for the soil. That is also good and reason enough to cancel the gym membership - a lot of physical work.
But remember - as the Carbon Cowboys teach - the plant roots are the most effective part of soil improvement. All plant roots matter, the deeper the better. They can prevent drought and flooding.
If roots do most of the work, I am going to be especially respectful of them. They are the Major Donors, for those who work on once-in-a-lifetime giving campaigns for their synods.
In contrast - listen up - chemical fertilizers diminish the work of the soil. The most they can do is spark some life and then pollute the water table. If you think manure smells bad, just visit the chemical fertilizer aisle of the hardware store and inhale. When the hacking cough and tears subside, go outside for some fresh air.
Back to Our Roots
Birds and squirrels spread weeds, and some - like maple seeds - twirl into the ground.Rather than rage about weeds and threaten good plants with herbicides, it is better to allow weed growth and cut it down when they are too ambitious. The idea is to let them draw water down, fertilize the soil, and then stop or slow them down.
Everything left on top of the soil becomes part of it. I had one rugged looking clump of maple that fell from the tree. I kept it near the water faucet, to accelerate its change into soil products. Meanwhile, Wild Strawberries (planted by birds) sprouted on the wood and began to flower. Many life forms gather around rotting wood, so birds and toads come to the banquet to get their share.
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| Morning coffee, the Goldfinches will be told again and feeding on the thistles and Sunflowers. |
Neglected Fungus
Until recently, no one gave fungus credit for connecting with all plants and exchanging its benefits for carbon credits. Fungus cannot grow without carbon, and plants have the carbon to swap for nutrition and water.Fungus is a good reason to dig as little as possible in the garden. Blending the soil, with a 10 hp roto-tiller, means turning soil improvement upside-down. The fungus networks are destroyed and so are many earthworms. The soil begins to recover and Mr. Gardener says, "Look at my garden!"
