An ode to soil

I never used to pay much attention to soil. Dirt was ... well, dirt. Whatever the gardening books said about the importance of improving the soil, I just made do with what was there. My plants grew, but slowly.

Now, nothing makes me happier than to find a huge pile of fully composted wood chips at the Town Barns, free for the taking. We were there Monday evening with Josue and Amarina; they had kindly offered to help us out with their pick-up truck. The decayed wood chips in the center of a mountainous pile, towering far above us, was charred black from the heat generated in the composting process, and still warm to the touch. Richard climbed up, and began digging into the pile, knocking it down. Josue and I stood below, shoveling it into the back of his pick-up truck. We only had three shovels, so Amarina cheered us on. When we got home and unloaded it, my ecstasy was so apparent, they offered to make a second trip.

I read somewhere that scientists have documented a connection between micro-organisms in soil and the release of neurotransmitters in human brains. Digging in the soil, they concluded, really does make people happier.

Lots of organic matter in the soil also makes plants happier. I can see, from the year to year, the difference in the plants growing in the beds where the most composted material was most recently added.

So in appreciation to the soil, today I post some recent pictures from the garden. From downed tree limbs, to soil, to green plants to food. Amazing.

Photos (top to bottom): Yellow squash; Winter squash; Wild blackcap raspberries; Unripe peaches; Zucchini and cilantro; Dill flowers; Garlic scapes; Cucumber;  Arugula in bloom; Early morning asparagus fronds;