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Why don't you put a root in it?
So, let's face it, soil is one of the most unappreciated substances on (are you ready for it?) Earth (HA! I love the puns!). This precious substance is home to your roots; the reason why you are from a particular part of the world (and the other kind too). It has shaped your heritage, and you probably ate some when you were little, making it a part of you. So what's the big deal? Why is something that gardeners love, and children inevitably find, carrying such a negative connotation? This guy thinks it's about time we changed that. Let's rethink some of those points I just mentioned.
Home to roots? I think so! And not just the plant kind. Where did you find successful civilizations in the ancient world? Where they could cultivate food! The Egyptians did it in the delta and along the banks of the Nile. The Romans put their stuff in their courtyards, and us Iowans do it practically everywhere in the state! It's a simple philosophy, and it seems to be lost on most people today. With that very basic idea (where there are people, grow food!) wouldn't everyone want to have a garden in their backyard? We could even get spicy on the block and put in either an edible landscape, or a full blown vegetable garden in the FRONT yard! I think it would be a great way to put gardening into people's minds like an IV. Besides, we should be proud of what we grow, and let everyone know it!
And what about heritage? Definitely. The Irish and their potatoes, German hops and rye, African Wheat, Mediterranean olives, Florida oranges... you get the picture. So maybe they weren't all there for eternity, but, they definitely were or are staples in the area. So, when you get to America, you bring your crops, because we are so lucky to be able to grow so many different types of plants (vegetables, or otherwise).
Here's a photo that I took out on East End, you can see all 18 inches of available soil in this photo! This is pretty much the standard cutaway view of the soil profile on the island. Old, leached soils without much organic matter and a somewhat low CEC. Oh, but ther eare plenty of rocks! Check them out below.
Needless to say, dirt is a pretty influential thing, and it imparts a lot on our plants. It's part of the 'Right Plant, Right Place' deal. Putting a plant into the proper soil can make a huge deal in the growth of your little investment. -Keep yer potatey soil nice 'n acid-like, to ward off disease... Orchids must be kept in a well manicured western fir bark mixture, with a pH of precisely 6, and fertilize only on the day after a blue moon that was bright enough for you to see your shadow at night for absolutely smashing results... Tones' spices will only grow certain spices on certain soils, because of the influence that the soil has on the aromatic compounds within the finished product.
So, here's my point- Love Your Soils- build them up, and save them from erosion, and return things to the soil. Simple things like composting could make an absolutely great impact on your soils, and keeps your table scraps out of the landfill. So next time you're beating your rugs, remember the dirt will find another way in- either from supplying the vegetables in your fridge with nutrients, to that lovely new ceramic set from your local artist, and hopefully more than anything else, under your fingernails, you garden warrior! The only mani/pedicure anyone needs is to go for a romp in the garden without gloves or shoes!
So, this illustrates how many rocks there are in the soil. The idea this summer is to conquer the rocks, and get a healthy, productive crop of veggies out of soils like these! I'm thinking raised beds might just be the only way to go. Besides... there's tarantulas in the ground!
Well, that's gotta be it for the night. Don't forget to let your life get a little dirty when it counts- we all owe it to the dirt!
~Winnie
P.S. We're going to come back to this topic when I get to the island. They have been endowed with about 1 foot of soil- So be thankful for what you have!