Ep. 165 Strategies for farming in contaminated soil Part II | #GoodGrowing

Good Growing

This week is the second half of our conversation with Zack Grant about urban farming and dealing with contaminated soils. Zack details techniques that urban farmers and gardeners can use to avoid growing in contaminated soils. We also dive into the importance of soil testing and how to pick a soil lab and use the results to guide your amendment decisions. Throughout this process, Zack keeps bringing up the key point that often we can overdo it with amendments. He mentions how compost can become a major water polluter if used too ambitiously.

Watch us on YouTube https://youtu.be/wY4MmIUjftA

Skip to what you want to know:

0:55 What materials do you use to cap and fill on top of contaminated soil?
- Landscape fabric, woodchips, 50/50 soil/compost mix
5:30 Based on the budget and scale of your site, how do you approach contaminated soils?
6:27 What options are available when considering cap and fill.
7:29 Diagrams of cap and fill techniques.
9:11 Issue of the use of compost and nutrient runoff concerns.
14:15 Soil testing - where can people go to learn about soil testing and how to do it. https://extension.illinois.edu/soil/soil-testing
17:47 Importance of soil testing and how we use it to manage soil fertility and reduce pollution.
23:41 Applying scientific research to the varying agricultural systems.
27:49 Take-home message covering the past two episodes.
29:34 Thank yous and coming up next week. Big surprise!

Soil Scientist, Andrew McQuire's Blog recommended by Zack https://extension.wsu.edu/grant/andrew-mcguires-homepage/

Check out SoSuCo’s Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sosuco_urban_ag/
SoSuCo YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYr1qobBXdo&list=PLffsjFIQsK0ZG_Sx29hoGsrVlzh_IxzB_

Is there lead in your soil? New Chicago-area map tells you https://extension.illinois.edu/news-releases/there-lead-your-soil-new-chicago-area-map-tells-you

Contact us!
Chris Enroth: [e-mail]
Ken Johnson: [e-mail]

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