The Hidden Mathematics of the Garden

ever, a deeper, darker, more dynamic form of geometry that influences our understanding of plant growth. Most of the physical and chemical processes on which gardeners depend occur at surfaces; soil particles, plant roots, and compost heaps are all examples of such surfaces and the compost heap in particular repays deeper study. These heaps consist of dead plant remains that are gradually decomposed by the action of microorganisms; the result of this decomposition is a complex cocktail of products, but the one of greatest practical importance to the gardener is humus. The microorganisms carry out these processes of decomposition by secreting exoenzymes that diffuse into the plant remains, but these exoenzymes can only gain access to the