Jess et al.,
On the topic of the difficulties and long time required for
bioremediation (or phytoremediation) to make a difference, please see
this blog post I did last fall on Pam Broom's sunflower project in New
Orleans. Start with the paragraph beginning "Several years ago, Pam
took on an unsightly lot...." Her results were rapid and impressive,
partly due to the year-round growing season. But since the plants are
harvested at 2' height, still several cycles could be done in a year.
The Oct 2010 photo shows a progression from remediated bare lot to
cardboard sheet mulch to beautiful trellised garden, all in one frame.
http://bit.ly/cv5OTs
In other neighborhoods (including Providence RI, where burned-down
houses left lead-contaminated lots), gardeners use raised beds and
deeply mulched paths. Contaminated soil need not be an impediment to
urban gardening. It is very true that soil tests are specific, based
on the history of the property. Labs test for likely contaminants,
according to the previous industry or activity.
Best regards,
Leslie
http://lep07.typepad.com/safood/
@lepsafood
From: Jessica Katz <bklyn.nighth...@gmail.com>
Date: March 4, 2011 2:16:06 PM CST
Cc: community_garden@list.communitygarden.org
Subject: Re: [Community_garden] Brownfields
Jama,
Thanks sooooooooo much for your thoughtful comments and link to info
about
phytoremediation. I'd heard a little about that, but I'm so glad
that you
brought up the topic and let us know a little more about it and your
experience. I've read some info about phytoremediation being used for
removing toxins from water, but forgot about it being used for soil,
even
though it's a long-term project.
Not off-topic at all, imho.
This is what I love about this group....lots of very helpful,
practical,
first-hand shared knowledge.
BTW, our gardens are doing soil tests in multiple sites, combining
them,
etc. and sending them to University of Massachussetts for analysis.
They
are very thorough and reasonable cost.
:-D
Jess
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