Re: schoolgarden advice/asphalt

S* M*

We've planted some gardens here in Philly that were entirely on top of
blacktop, in raised beds. The best covering we've found to use in the
pathways was woodchips, since it looks great, keeps the surface cool, and
eventually breaks down and can be incorporated into the beds, then
replenished on the paths. And since the beds were raised above the surface
of the paths, we didn't have to worry about the fresh chips burning the
plants.

At 11:48 PM -0400 4/7/01, Grow19@aol.com wrote:
>I need some advice on behalf of a school garden in Washington DC.  The garden
>was started in a former asphalt playground.  The design called for leaving
>strips of blacktop between planting beds (I haven't seen it, just reporting
>what they've told me).  I assume it is to provide walkways.  They tell me
>that the asphalt 'was so hot that it interfered with the wellbeing of the
>plants in the planting areas.
>
>My question -- is there an environmentally safe material that could be used
>to 'paint' the remaining blacktop to cool it?  What color would be best?
>
>Thanks.
>Judy Tiger, GROW, Washington, DC
>GROW19@aol.com
>
>
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