Yardening

I love a good scientific article. One of the topics that’s come up a lot lately in the plant science world reminds me a good bit of the movie Avatar.

That’s right. I like science AND science fiction. ‘Cause science is amazing. It’s like proven magic.

Ahem, back to Avatar. In the movie there is a scene where a scientist character talks about how all of the trees on the planet are connected through their roots. That they communicate with each other in a way akin to the human brain. It’s a central motive of the movie (underground environmentalism, yo) and affects most of the plot line.

Well, the writer/director, James Cameron, et al were not far off from our reality here on earth. It turns out that our yards/land are part of their own electrical network of underground fungi, minerals, microbes, fauna, etc that work together to do things that are in their nature, certainly, but also have the power to positively impact human needs. Like, clean air for example. This biological grid makes life possible above ground and can help sequester methane.

What are the implications for us as people who like to plant a row of lettuce, or a sapling, or a vine? I’ve seen a lot of different information on planting methods, but the shocking “new” method involves not digging an enormous hole and filling it with new dirt/compost/nutrients. But rather digging a hole only large enough to fit the roots of whatever you’re planting, filled back in with dirt native to the area, and add water. Now, it’s not this simple for all plants. Plants that are not native to your area will need some help. But if you are planting things that are native, this is all that is suggested. Lazy gardening for the win!

Welcome to the underworld, where magical science happens every day. Now, go out and feed the microbes!