DIY Ideas
Are you a do-it-yourself type of person? Here are some simple DIY ideas that you can try out.
Grow a Community Garden in Potentially Contaminated Soil
In this day and age, it can be difficult to find safe, educational activities for our children. A community garden is a not only a fun activity for your family and neighbors, but it will also get children involved and teach them how to grow their own food. Enjoying fresh air with them, of course, is a bonus.
It may seem unwise to grow a garden in an area that contains previously contaminated soil. Fortunately, it is not only possible but can be beneficial to the health of your community, and the environment. Deciding to grow a garden using a potentially contaminated area sounds risky, but there are steps you can take in order to create a healthy garden for your family and community.
To begin with, it is important to test the soil you plan to grow your garden in(learn more about that here). On their website, the Environmental Working Group offers basic instructions and tips for growing a garden in urban soil that is potentially contaminated. They explain what types of contaminants may be found, such as lead, arsenic, and chromium, how to find out which contaminants are present, and how to manage and possibly improve the soil. If cleansing the soil is not an option, one easy and great solution is to use raised beds in your garden. By using raised beds you will be able to use clean healthy soil to plant your garden. Take a look at the EPA’s step by step document of creating a community garden here.
Please remember it is very important to be cautious and follow guidelines when planting in potentially contaminated soil, as humans and animals can be exposed to contaminants through ingestion while working with the soil and also through ingestion of plants that have been grown in contaminated soil. The Cornell Waste Management Institute offers ideas of how to reduce exposure to contaminants in your crops by washing produce with a vinegar solution or discarding parts of plants that may have come into direct contact with contaminated soil. However, it is possible for plants to take up certain contaminants through their roots so it is important to always test your soil before planting your garden.
Photo Source: http://sourcethestation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/community-garden-kids-plant-590jn071410-1279147997.jpg
Compost at Home
For those people who are interested in avoiding soil contamination and have an interest in gardening, there is a simple solution for a DIY project. Composting is an easy way to grow a healthy, uncontaminated garden and it can be done right from home without purchasing expensive supplies. To create rich compost soil, you’ll need unused fruits, vegetable scraps, and yard debris such as fresh grass clippings, leaves, brush, and twigs.. Simply throw all of those ingredients into a compost bin and let it decay. Eventually it will turn a dark brown and have an "earthy" smell. Once the ingredients have reached that stage, the compost is ready to be used and you will have soil to use in your home garden.
Click here for more information about how to compost at home.
Photo Source: http://environment.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/compost-bin.jpg
Are you a do-it-yourself type of person? Here are some simple DIY ideas that you can try out.
Grow a Community Garden in Potentially Contaminated Soil
In this day and age, it can be difficult to find safe, educational activities for our children. A community garden is a not only a fun activity for your family and neighbors, but it will also get children involved and teach them how to grow their own food. Enjoying fresh air with them, of course, is a bonus.
It may seem unwise to grow a garden in an area that contains previously contaminated soil. Fortunately, it is not only possible but can be beneficial to the health of your community, and the environment. Deciding to grow a garden using a potentially contaminated area sounds risky, but there are steps you can take in order to create a healthy garden for your family and community.
To begin with, it is important to test the soil you plan to grow your garden in(learn more about that here). On their website, the Environmental Working Group offers basic instructions and tips for growing a garden in urban soil that is potentially contaminated. They explain what types of contaminants may be found, such as lead, arsenic, and chromium, how to find out which contaminants are present, and how to manage and possibly improve the soil. If cleansing the soil is not an option, one easy and great solution is to use raised beds in your garden. By using raised beds you will be able to use clean healthy soil to plant your garden. Take a look at the EPA’s step by step document of creating a community garden here.
Please remember it is very important to be cautious and follow guidelines when planting in potentially contaminated soil, as humans and animals can be exposed to contaminants through ingestion while working with the soil and also through ingestion of plants that have been grown in contaminated soil. The Cornell Waste Management Institute offers ideas of how to reduce exposure to contaminants in your crops by washing produce with a vinegar solution or discarding parts of plants that may have come into direct contact with contaminated soil. However, it is possible for plants to take up certain contaminants through their roots so it is important to always test your soil before planting your garden.
Photo Source: http://sourcethestation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/community-garden-kids-plant-590jn071410-1279147997.jpg
Compost at Home
For those people who are interested in avoiding soil contamination and have an interest in gardening, there is a simple solution for a DIY project. Composting is an easy way to grow a healthy, uncontaminated garden and it can be done right from home without purchasing expensive supplies. To create rich compost soil, you’ll need unused fruits, vegetable scraps, and yard debris such as fresh grass clippings, leaves, brush, and twigs.. Simply throw all of those ingredients into a compost bin and let it decay. Eventually it will turn a dark brown and have an "earthy" smell. Once the ingredients have reached that stage, the compost is ready to be used and you will have soil to use in your home garden.
Click here for more information about how to compost at home.
Photo Source: http://environment.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/compost-bin.jpg
Cleanse Contaminated Soil in Your Garden
While there are several soil contamination testing kits on the market, most experts believe that the most efficient way to determine the health of your soil is to allow those with the necessary skills and equipment to do so. Finding a soil expert may certainly seem like a daunting task, but it is easier than one might think. A soil testing kit can be purchased from your county extension office. When you have received your kit, dig several holes about 3 to 4 inches deep throughout the areas of particular concern, such as areas where your children like to play or where you are planning to begin growing a garden. You can collect a few tablespoons of soil from each hole and store it in a bucket. You will need to have one full cup of soil for the test to be thorough and accurate. Place the cup of soil in the plastic container provided with your test. If your kit does not come with one, use a sterile plastic container of your own. Most kits will ask you to specifically indicate what you’re testing your soil for. This information is important for the laboratory to have so that they can determine the environment your soil is best suited for. When you’re finished, simply mail the soil to the address provided and wait for the results
If upon arrival you find that your soil is in fact contaminated, you have several different approaches to this problem. The first and more involved approach would be to completely excavate the area and replace it will fresh, clean soil. But for most, the second option, to treat the soil in its place, will be more reasonable. There are several different methods which can be used to treat soil. Many choose to treat contaminated soil by flushing it heavily with water, or chemical solvents. Other options include incineration or adding special materials to the soil which work to trap the contaminants and prevent spreading.
For more information, visit epa.gov.
While there are several soil contamination testing kits on the market, most experts believe that the most efficient way to determine the health of your soil is to allow those with the necessary skills and equipment to do so. Finding a soil expert may certainly seem like a daunting task, but it is easier than one might think. A soil testing kit can be purchased from your county extension office. When you have received your kit, dig several holes about 3 to 4 inches deep throughout the areas of particular concern, such as areas where your children like to play or where you are planning to begin growing a garden. You can collect a few tablespoons of soil from each hole and store it in a bucket. You will need to have one full cup of soil for the test to be thorough and accurate. Place the cup of soil in the plastic container provided with your test. If your kit does not come with one, use a sterile plastic container of your own. Most kits will ask you to specifically indicate what you’re testing your soil for. This information is important for the laboratory to have so that they can determine the environment your soil is best suited for. When you’re finished, simply mail the soil to the address provided and wait for the results
If upon arrival you find that your soil is in fact contaminated, you have several different approaches to this problem. The first and more involved approach would be to completely excavate the area and replace it will fresh, clean soil. But for most, the second option, to treat the soil in its place, will be more reasonable. There are several different methods which can be used to treat soil. Many choose to treat contaminated soil by flushing it heavily with water, or chemical solvents. Other options include incineration or adding special materials to the soil which work to trap the contaminants and prevent spreading.
For more information, visit epa.gov.