Re: advice please on vacant lot garden development

**a*@aol.com**

I like both options, together, as the best way of doing the job. 

For an urban community garden on this size plot - 60'x70', with volunteers doing the lion's share of the work, a bobcat to get out as many of the small weed trees/shrubs, followed up by  "lasagne" ( to build up beds on top of existing soil) is, in my opinion the best way to go. 

My logic - the general ground of the gardens will be better off for maintaining a decorative, landscaped perimeter and perennial garden bed  areas to attract the neighborhood and create meeting areas for gardeners and neighborhood residents - the parklike area of the community garden that will make friends for the organization. 

Then the raised bed, "lasagne areas," for food production, so there are no possible chemical or heavy metal polluntants for pregnant women or small children to have to deal with. 

Again - UMass Amherst is the best soil tester, price and quality-wise for community gardens in the Eastern US, bar none. Good choice.  

Best wishes. Please let us all know how this turns out. 

Adam Honigman
Volunteer, 
Clinton Community Garden
NYC

-----Original Message-----
From: Grow19@aol.com
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Sent: Sun, 10 Apr 2005 11:11:44 EDT
Subject: [cg] advice please on vacant lot garden development

Hi Friends, 

I'm advised the startup of a new community garden in Washington DC on a  
60'x70' vacant lot and I am in need of your advice regarding management of the  
soil.  To 'lasagna' (build up beds on top of existing soil) or to use a  
rototiller/bobcat one time only.  

The question arises because altho' the lot is flat, has good sun exposure  
and soil appears to be in pretty good condition (soil test is enroute to UMass), 

 there are MANY small weed tree/shrub stumps and roots.  And lots of glass  
and small rocks.

On the one hand, it would seem good  to 'build' soil on top  (newspaper, 
straw, soil/compost mix, etc).  But I assume that just covering  them will not 
kill the weed trees and that they should all be pulled out  first?  I don't 
think 
this community group has the gumption to pull out all  the weed trees with 
pick axes and shovels.  And they are worried about the  amount of glass and 
rocks in the soil.  They are drawn to the idea of  ripping out everything with a 

one-time bobcat visit and then building up soil  and adopting a no-till future. 

Permaculture vs. practicality?  Advice?  Thanks!!

Judy Tiger, Washington DC 

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To post an e-mail to the list:  community_garden@mallorn.com

To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription:  https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden