Homesteading/Subsistence Living

In the film, Paul brought up and help stick in my mind what I think is a very useful idea and orientation toward nature and how to garden and nourish the soil more in accordance with it. It's my favorite idea from the movie: the idea that "nature abhors a vacuum."

Nature is very opportunistic; it tries to claim and reclaim every square inch of soil it can and cover it with something. That something is life and the essence of natural life -- a continual cycle of use and reuse that leaves more and more richness and complexity behind. Sooner or later that something can turn into rich organic matter. Now when I look at patches of dirt, it looks to me more unnatural than it used to. It makes me think somebody made a mistake. It makes me want to cover it up with something more conducive to life. Now when I see it, I think "bare soil is an abomination!"

I used to think mulch was kind of weird and generally unnecessary. You're supposed to have nothing but dirt around plants, right? Now I see it as one of the most useful and beautiful parts of a garden.

Marc Iverson wrote:In the film, Paul brought up and help stick in my mind what I think is a very useful idea and orientation toward nature and how to garden and nourish the soil more in accordance with it.  It's my favorite idea from the movie:  the idea that "nature abhors a vacuum."  

Nature is very opportunistic; it tries to claim and reclaim every square inch of soil it can and cover it with something.  That something is life and the essence of natural life -- a continual cycle of use and reuse that leaves more and more richness and complexity behind.  Sooner or later that something can turn into rich organic matter.  Now when I look at patches of dirt, it looks to me more unnatural than it used to.  It makes me think somebody made a mistake.  It makes me want to cover it up with something more conducive to life.  Now when I see it, I think "bare soil is an abomination!"  

I used to think mulch was kind of weird and generally unnecessary.  You're supposed to have nothing but dirt around plants, right?  Now I see it as one of the most useful and beautiful parts of a garden.

Hello Marc,

I agree. I looked around at the woods in my neighborhood and couldn't help but notice the lack of exposed dirt where humans hadn't been. It does change one's outlook on nature.