Weeds can't grow where they can't take root
In native gardening, the most effective way to prevent unwanted plants (aka weeds) from growing is to crowd them out with plants you do want.
Rather than well-space plants with large gaps of mulch, you packed plants densely together, just like you’d find in nature.
Without the space to take root, weeds are (mostly) kept at bay.
This is a metaphor about life and social change.
I spend a lot of time fighting against social injustice. It’s important to fight back against bad things, like it’s important to remove weeds.
But it’s just as important—maybe even more so—to plant the seeds you do want to grow, so they can crowd out the shit you don’t want.
Share food from your garden. Bring a neighbor’s trash bins up from the curb. Talk to strangers. Help strangers. Ask people how they’re doing, and actually give a shit about their answer. Buy food, clothes, or supplies for unhoused folks. Walk dogs at your local animal shelter.
As Dungeon Crawler Carl always says, “you can’t save everyone.” But the seeds you plant now spread, faster and farther than you might imagine.
This post was inspired by an article with a similar name by Ali Alkhatib.