“It shouldn’t be called terra firma at all; it should be called Terra Vibrata!”
Professor Francis Hole, University of Wisconsin
Today, the rhubarb patch finally shed its white snowy blanket, and the birds wasted no time in joining the celebration! Robins, sparrows, finch, and even Cornelius the cardinal swooped down to join the pecking dance extravaganza like a scene from Cirque de Soleil. It was a riotous display of agricultural jubilation, as they fluttered, twirled, and swung, doing the do-si-do with the red nubs of rhubarb rustling below. One can almost hear the symphony of the soil playing their microbial best. (my apologies readers for standing there mesmerized and missing the photo-op, I will try to post one later when the dance party resumes).
As we witness the radical break from winter and the visible transformations of spring, let's take a moment to slow down and appreciate the wonder beneath our feet. The back gardens are shedding their snowy blankets and the rigid grip of winter, gulping in the life-giving force of spring with laughter, joy, and the wildness of new life and rebirth. The once cold and unyielding soil is now rehydrating and bursting with potential, nourishing life into being.
And what a diverse and inclusive mix shows up to nature’s spring banquet! The multitude of feathered revelers, pecking away at the earth, have been eagerly awaiting this moment all winter. It's a feast fit for Michelin stars, with their beaks acting as culinary tools, probing and pecking for insects, seeds, and other delectable treats. It's a gourmet foraging frenzy, right in our own backyard!
With each passing day, the tempo of the symphony intensifies. The once frozen and barren soil now teems with activity. Microbes, fungi, and bacteria dance in rhythmic harmony, breaking down organic matter and releasing nutrients into the soil. Worms wriggle through the damp earth, aerating the soil and creating channels for air and water to circulate. Do you hear the sound of roots growing into the soil, and feel the hum of life and pulse below? The roots of dormant plants, awakened by the warmth, stretch out and explore the newly thawed terrain, seeking nourishment and anchoring themselves in the rich earth.
And the palette of colors that have emerged this week beneath our feet forms a rainbow - red as a barn, black as pitch, yellow as lemon, and white as snow. The bluish-gray, hidden in darkness as thick as night, completes the rainbow, the only one that forms without light. It's a nature's own fashion show that puts the Met Gala to shame!
Please note: just like we need water to stay hydrated, our soil needs it too! Snowmelt replenishes the soil's water content after a period of frozen or dry conditions. It's like a big gulp of H2O for our thirsty soil, providing the moisture that's crucial for plant growth, microbial activity, and other soil processes. It's like a tall glass of water for all our parched soil workers, giving them the quench they need to thrive and keep us alive.
"I will show you fear in a handful of dust." T.S. Eliot
As the soil rehydrates, those little microorganisms get back to work, breaking down organic matter, cycling nutrients, and performing other soil processes. It's like a spa day for the microbes, getting them all fired up and ready to do their job. It's like a microbial dance party in our soil, bringing life and vitality back into the ecosystem. And if that's not enough miraculous work, the rehydrating soil also acts as a carbon sink. As microbial activity resumes, organic matter decomposes and incorporates into the soil, accumulating carbon.
So, as the rhubarb patch finally lets go of its snowy sheet and the birds join in the jubilant pecking dance, let's pause and take in the wonder and awe of nature's grand extravaganza. Feel inspired by the resilience and magic of the soil carnival, and let it awaken in us a renewed sense of wonder and joy for the beauty and abundance of the world around us. After all, life is the grandest of all carnivals, and we're all invited to join in the celebration and grow the best versions of ourselves this spring.
And another shout-out to Dana Meadows who taught us to dance with systems and in particular for her Home Home on the Loam Chapter in Global Citizen as inspiration for this post. Do you still feel us hugging you Dana? Your spirit remains strong with us here in Singing Bridge.
Fun Vermont Soil Facts
Vermont adopted its state soil, the Tunbridge soil series, on May 16, 1985. The Vermont Legislature passed a bill designating Tunbridge soil as the official state soil of Vermont, and the governor signed it into law. Vermont's adoption of a state soil was part of a growing trend across the United States to recognize the importance of soil to the nation's economy, environment, and quality of life. Today, many states have designated official state soils, and soil conservation remains an important issue for policymakers and citizens alike.
The Vermont state soil is Tunbridge soil series, which was designated as the official state soil in 1985. Tunbridge soil is a well-drained soil that is found in the eastern part of Vermont, particularly in the towns of Tunbridge, Strafford, and Thetford. It is a sandy loam soil that is relatively deep and has a high water-holding capacity, making it suitable for agriculture and forestry. Tunbridge soil is also an important habitat for many plant and animal species, and it plays a crucial role in maintaining the health and productivity of Vermont's ecosystems.
May we all learn to dance as joyfully and collaboratively as Mother Earth! What a world that would be 🪱 🌱 🌸
The perfect compliment to a day immersed in dirt - nothing so high brow as Tunbridge Soil, to be sure, just humble Bridgewater soil-of-the-people. SB enhances my appreciation of almost everything.