Re: advice please on vacant lot garden development
- Subject: Re: [cg] advice please on vacant lot garden development
- From: "Libby J. Goldstein" l*@igc.org
- Date: Sun, 10 Apr 2005 20:10:51 -0400
I agree, especially with the idea of raised beds.
Libby
On Apr 10, 2005, at 5:45 PM, adam36055@aol.com wrote:
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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______________________________________________________
The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of
ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA
and to find out how to join, please go to
http://www.communitygarden.org
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
______________________________________________________
The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org
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
