Distressed

Have you ever heard someone say that their peppers were way hotter than normal this year because we were in a drought, or the beets were way more beetier because the gophers took a bite out of them.

I can't prove it analytically, but...

Anchor

Anchor is typically a seafaring term used for a device to tether a boat to the bottom of a body of water.

I like to use it to talk about roots. If the root is healthy the plant is healthy. Wisdom from Mr. Miyagi the sage of the "Karate Kid" trilogy.

Have you ever gone out after a good rain to pull weeds because it is easier. The rain loosens the soil and lubricates the roots so they have less "anchoring" ability.

This time of year roots have a slightly different anchoring function...