Urban Garden Empirical Report

Urban Garden Empirical Report

Mariya Vovna

Diane Weitecha

Nicole Huggard

Submitted to: Jared Grogan

December 15, 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Executive Summary

II. Introduction

III. Objective

i) Details on current chemical makeup in Detroit

ii) Sources of necessary (O,H,N, P, K, CA, Mg, S, C) chemicals and heavy metals

iii) Specific chemical footprint for certain species

iv) Details on industrial soil contamination

IV. Methods

V. Findings

i) Analysis

1. Chemical landscape (problematic chemicals, different scenarios- once soil testing has been done: potential issues)

 Cd, Road salt, Diesel, Pb are known to be problematic

2. Plant Chemistry

3. Symbiosis/ Negative Symbiosis

4. Risk to plant growth

5. Risk to Human health

ii) Cost

iii) Maintenance

1. Rest Period

2. Crop Rotation

3. Planting guidelines (depth, sunlight, moisture, nutrition)

iv) Risk Analysis

v) Appendix

Executive Summary

A group of Wayne State Students have recently started a research program for urban gardening from various engineering and science backgrounds. Currently, the inner city community lacks adequate access to a variety of produce and the existing urban garden organizations are struggling to maintain their programs. The SEED Wayne Program has shown some success but we feel that more research needs to be done if urban gardening is to be successfully implemented on a sufficient scale.

During the past 30 days we have conducted research on what requirements need to be met and what is involved in the process of creating a successful urban garden program. This research will be based around the Solanum Tuberosum (Irish Potato) example and includes data and reviews of chemical makeup, chemical plant footprint for certain species, details on industrial soil contamination and the sources of chemicals of interest particularly in the Detroit City limits.

The purpose of this report is to demonstrate empirical data that will be beneficial to people of Detroit by contributing necessary facts and guidelines regarding the successful and long term production of urban fruits and vegetables.

Overall, the research results demonstrate a great potential for urban gardening in Detroit to be an efficient means of providing food as well generating revenue for the people of Detroit and other organizations that participate.

1. Data and research demonstrated in this report should be utilized and applied to future urban garden developers.

2. Local city officials and existing urban gardeners should organize volunteers that are willing to dedicate their time and knowledge of environmental and chemical issues to maintain soil testing and the continuation of research.

3. The local city officials should implement a stimulus package to organizations that participate in urban gardening because it helps the people of Detroit.

4. This research should be used in conjunction with other resources provided by the SEED Wayne program.

Introduction

For the past three weeks, a team of Wayne State University students have been working on research that would contribute ease and increase the odds of long term success for anyone interested in growing an urban garden in Detroit. During the 20th century the story of Detroit is one of growth and intra region flight. The metropolitan area grew from 500 thousand to over 4.8 million people during the 100 year span. While the economy was growing along with it the region grew also. People migrated from the main part of the city to the outlying suburbs. Since the mid 1990’s the city of Detroit has taken a devastating blow primarily caused by various economic changes and the shift of manufacturing jobs to overseas. This has left Detroit riddled with abandoned buildings, empty lots that were once the site of people and prosper and a spread out and dwindled population. Not only has this situation led to hard times in the metropolitan and surrounding areas, it has been particularly difficult for the people in the city. With the population shift, people are now spread out with poor access to fresh produce and are left unsure about where it is safe to plant a garden.

Figure 1 Detroit Urban Garden

Currently the primary food source for some eight out of ten of Detroit residents is around 1000 or so gas station/ convenience shops in the area. There is not only a shortage of fruits and vegetables, but also meat. Elderly people are trying to supplement or add to their retirement or Social Security by hunting local rodents and small animals to sell them and provide food for locals. A raccoon carcass serves four and goes for around $12.00. [10] Detroiters that live on the outskirts that have access to fresh fruit and vegetables are few. These circumstances have led to Detroit being called a food desert. [10], [1] The health consequences are devastating and can range from diabetes to heart failure and ultimately lower the life expectancy measurements lower than any other city in the nation. [10]

This research on the requirements of urban gardening is important to anyone in the city for a variety of reasons that depend on ones needs. The main benefit of our research is that ultimately it could lead to better, more affordable access to healthy food. Also, it can improve the soil conditions in former industrial sites. Urban gardens can also bring economic stimulus to one looking for some extra income in this tough time by growing and selling your produce at the local market. Our research is on the empirical data that will help transform these empty and unsightly spaces into useful and beneficial gardens. From research on former industrial locations in the city, chemical landscape, toxicity issues, cost and risk analysis we will be able to contribute information that will work toward the promise of a long term successful urban garden.

Objective

The objective of our research is to provide adequate information on the current chemical makeup in Detroit and planting guidelines for a particular species to aid urban gardeners in their success. The questions that had to be answered included what chemicals are involved in the cycle of before and after the plant is harvested and also to provide details on what contaminants in the soil exist due to former sites of industry. In order to achieve our objectives we had to answer these necessary questions about the chemical footprint for certain species and locate details of industrial soil contamination along with provide some general guidelines for planting, maintenance and related risk analysis.

Method

The method of our research consisted of applying the teams engineering and science knowledge to a wide range of information and sources to get the best results. The team’s sources were primarily of secondary online research but contributions were made from interviews and publications. An interview with an environmental engineer in the Wayne State University environmental engineering department was our main primary source and provided some general information on soil testing and information on typical pollutants in the area. Our group also surveyed existing online references in these areas in order to begin researching specific hazardous compounds in Detroit industries. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality was also helpful in informing us on locations of contaminated areas and reported hazardous materials. Additionally, the Washington State University site had a link about potatoes, their production, diseases and chemicals that we found to be quite useful. The SEED Wayne site at Wayne State University’s website also gave us a good start to our project. There were various sources of our collected information that contributed to the detailed research.

Analysis

Chemical Landscape of Detroit

Detroit was growing rapidly in the early 1900’s and was the center of global manufacturing post WWII. Pollutants not only arose from the manufacturing facilities but also from the dramatic increase in fossil fuels for transportation purposes and also mining. There is a wide variety of chemicals and materials used and leached out via manufacturing but the most common occurring in the soil seem to be byproducts of mining and transportation. [6]

Characteristically, the material closest to the site of the mining is acidic. After the mining is completed unless necessary precautions are taken to ensure the topsoil is remediated the land will remain fruitless. Materials other than that mined are also brought to the surface during the mining process, and these are left as solid wastes. Since Detroit’s primary mining material is salt we will look at the effects of the salt and road salt on the particular species. Other predominant pollutants in the soil of the greater Detroit region are Cadmium, Lead, and fossil fuels such as Diesel and are caused from motor vehicles and machinery. [5]

When Diesel fuels are broken down to the molecular level, aromatic hydrocarbons are produced. These Hydrocarbons are extremely mutagenic and often lead to various types of Cancer in mammals, and loss of biological function in plants. These types of effects are not just due to cars driven on the road, but also what is placed on the road. Road salt is used quite often in Detroit during the winter months to help with the dissolution of ice and snow on the roads due to inclement weather. [5]

When soil that is housing young, immature plants is exposed to high levels of salt there is a significant decrease in root system size due to a high concentration of Sodium. The main function of a plant’s root system is the uptake of nourishment. If this structure is small in stature, fewer nutrients are absorbed, thus resulting in stunted plants and smaller fruit production. Another source for growth retardation is Cadmium. [4] [7]

Figure 2 Fossil Fuel from Traffic

Figure 3 Mining

Chemical Footprint of Solanum Tuberosum (Irish Potato) and Symbiosis

CO2:

For any plant CO2 is the greatest naturally occurring fertilizer that exists. During photosynthesis, plants use this CO2 fertilizer as their food and they exhale oxygen into the air so humans breathe. This mutually beneficial and reinforcing cycle is one of the most basic elements of life on earth. [2]

pH and Calcium:

All soils should be incorporated with organic matter. Potatoes do best in soil with a pH that ranges from 5.2-6.8. Alkaline soil will tend to make many varieties of the potato get scabs. Calcium also affects potatoes. The leaves, stems and roots decrease with the increase of the Ca level. Long and slender tuberous roots develop as a result of the calcium addition. With the increase in Ca, the level of calcium, sugar and starch increases but the potassium content will decrease. In soils that have higher than a 6.0 pH, one could use gypsum to supply calcium and not alter the pH. [2]

Compost and Nutrition:

Properly made compost that is distributed at 25-50 pounds per 100 square feet is generally sufficient in supplying the plant with adequate nutrients. If the compost is not potent enough one could supplement it with fertilizer. [2]

Nitrogen and Potassium:

When potatoes are given too much nitrogen they grow lots of leafy vines but yield little tubers. Too much potassium and your tubers may have less amounts of protein. [3]

Leached byproducts:

Potatoes are known to leach out Oxygen, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Celenium, Magnesium and Calcium. Potatoes, like tomatoes, eggplants, tobacco and petunias, are members of the same family. One common characteristic of these plants is that they produce alkaloids, chemical compounds that are extremely toxic in some forms, benign or medicinal in other forms. For example, the nicotine in tobacco is a non-toxic but addictive alkaloid. The alkaloids are concentrated in various regions of the plant depending on species. In potatoes, the tubers are relatively free of the toxins except when they turn green in a response to light and begin to sprout. [3],[4]

Cost

Soil testing is the primary source of monetary cost in urban gardening. The amount and type of testing varies on the location and size of the lot in which you are planning to start the garden. The test gives you information like nutrient levels and pH. These kits can be found at a local home improvement store or garden center. They are intended for small acreage or personal gardens. Prices of these tests will range depending on where you purchase it and how extensive you want your results. For larger scale gardening or in locations that could potentially harbor unwanted materials, professional lab tests are recommended. The most basic soil kits start at around $20 USD.

Our team approximated the labor to maintain an acre of garden with one crop would range from 2-5 people and 10-20 hours per week based on personal experiences . This would include planters, sellers, and distributors. Different crops vary in labor requirements.

Maintenance

Rest Period:

Potatoes have a rest period which must be broken before sprouting can occur. The rest period is more easily broken in the smaller and mature potatoes. Select mature potatoes about 1.5 inches in diameter planting in the fall. To ensure that the rest period has been broken, store the small seed potatoes in a warm and damp environment for approximately two weeks before planting. This could be done by placing them in a shady spot and covering them with moist burlap bags or mulch. The potatoes should have developed small sprouts at planting time. Since it takes potatoes two to three weeks to emerge from the ground, the earliest you should plant seed potatoes is two weeks before your last anticipated freeze date of 28 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. [3], [4]

Crop Rotation:

Crop Rotation has been used in farming since humans started growing food because it wasn’t long before they started noticing that the same crops in the same position caused a buildup of pests and a reduction in fertility. The root crops are usually Potatoes, which by the action of sowing, growing and harvesting turn the soil over and prepare it for the next few years. The Onions have an anti bacterial effect on the soil and they clean the ground ready for the next year. The Legumes have Nitrogen fixing bacteria in their roots, and lastly the Nitrogen hungry Brassicas benefit from all the attention given to the soil in previous years. This crop rotation is just one example of how you could incorporate other vegetables into a space to gain the best yield possible. Although the maintenance section of this research may allow for suitable chemical balance within the soil, no research could be attained that provided proof that it necessarily reduces toxicity from industrial sources. The only evidence that the rotation could lead to safer conditions is in the integration of the onion as it carries antimicrobial properties.[3], [4], and [7]