Since /maximizing vegetable growth /is /an inherently unstable state /for the ecosystem, /the grower /is effectively keeping the ball on a slope. If /the grower /stops intervening, /even for a day, /the ecosystem, /that small patch of ground,/ will naturally begin /to shift to a more stable state. Vegetables may still grow, /but /yield will almost certainly be lower /as other plants crowd out the vegetables /and /wildlife consume the produce.