which of the following would be the best soil for gardening__

1. which of the following would be the best soil for gardening Urban gardening is the practice of growing plants in an urban environment. ... Although there is not one steadfast definition of urban gardening, it is usually grouped into two segments, container gardening and roo?op gardening. Container gardening is very common for people with small patios, yards, or balconies. If you live in an urban area, there are certain things that seem like they may be impossible, such as having a yard to enjoy or finding a place to park your car, but gardening does not have to be one of those things. Urban gardening is the practice

2. of growing plants in an urban environment. You may be surprised to know that urban gardening has a positive impact on the economy, the environment and food security. If you live in a big city, you may not realize it, but urban gardeners are doing their work all around you. From lush roo?op gardens to colorful window hanging baskets, more citygoers are practicing their green thumbs. Although there is not one steadfast definition of urban gardening, it is usually grouped into two segments, container gardening and roo?op gardening. Hanging BasketsContainer gardening is very common for people with small patios, yards, or balconies. They utilize all sorts of containers such as buckets, raised beds, window boxes or anything else that is conducive to gardening. Roo?op gardening is when you transform the roof of a building into a garden, through adding soil and garden beds. Roo?op gardening is traditionally used to grow vegetables and larger plants. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations defined the impact of urban gardening as “an industry that produces, processes and markets food and fuel, largely in response to the daily demand of consumers within a town, city or metropolis, on land and water dispersed throughout the urban and peri-urban area, applying intensive production methods, using and reusing natural resources and urban wastes, to yield a diversity of crops and livestock.”

3. While it is recently making a resurgence, urban gardening is in no way a new concept, as its roots trace back to ancient Egypt where community wastes were used to help feed the urban farming that existed during those times. Since those times, urban gardening has been used as a response to food shortages in Germany to the infamous Victory Gardens which were planted throughout the United States during World War I and World War II to respond to food pressures that existed during the war. During its peak, the Victory Gardens program saw as many as 6 million people participating in the movement, producing nearly ten million pounds of fruits and vegetables and accounting for almost 50% of the U.S. grown produce at the time. Impact of Urban Gardening More recently, urban gardening is used for more than just food security. People find solace in having plants in the home and office, as well as increasing their general emotional and social well-being while reducing stress levels. It may seem silly, but as a result of urban gardening people actually become more physically active as well as there is much to do to maintain a garden, such as tilling soil or digging holes. In some cases, urban gardening is done in a communal place, like a rooftop where every person gets a designated area where they can sow their plants. Even the simple act of planting a plant on a balcony or window sill is a great way to become an active urban gardener. Tips and Ideas for Starting an Urban Garden Although growing plants requires care and affection, luckily they only require three basic requirements light, soil and water. The plants do not even need to be planted in the ground, most actually grow great in a container! Sunlight is crucial, make sure that you find a place where the plant has access to at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight a day.

4. Plants can be grown on the roof (with permission of course), window boxes, patios, as well as from balconies with hanging baskets. Soil depth is key, shallow rooted plants require at least 6 inches of soil depth if they are under 1 foot tall, whereas deeper rooted plants need at least 1 foot of soil depth. Drainage is important to remember because the plants are potted so the water can escape, so make sure that your chosen pot has drainage holes Soil content is vital, it is best to stick to a potting soil instead of soil from the ground because potting soil is lighter and drains excess water better Remember to water your garden! It is important that you soak the entire container each time you water, but ensure that you do not over water and dump out any excess water in the saucer under the plant to prevent root rot. what is environmental issue with urban gardening issues THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF URBAN AGRICULTURE ON UNUSED, IMPERMEABLE AND SEMI-PERMEABLE SPACES IN MAJOR CITIES WITH A FOCUS ON PHILADELPHIA, PA Heather Knizhnik Christiaan Morssink Cities face many environmental challenges, including air and water quality issues, lack of sufficient green space, excess heat capture. introduction Urban agriculture projects have been multiplying and diversifying since the turn of the millennium. With all types of solutions varying from aquaponic greenhouses on city rooftops to permaculture, we are witnessing far-reaching alterations in the ways that food is grown. But although the positive impacts of urban agriculture in economic, social, environmental and even nutritional terms are widely reported, it is also vital to look scientifically at the health risks that relate to agricultural production in urban settings. Studies in France and Madagascar highlight specific issues raised in both hemispheres when it comes to defining quality criteria for urban farming and creating the tools needed to support urban agriculture project owners while simultaneously fostering good practices on the part of growers and consumers alike.

5. Potential contaminants and city-grown food there are numerous factors to take into account when mapping the pollutants to which urban agriculture can be exposed, whether relating to the location where crops are grown, the type of crop, or the characteristics of the soil and pollutants. Pollution sources and contamination vectors A distinction is made between ground-borne and air-borne pollution. The former transfers via the root system whereas the latter involves pollutants absorbed by the parts of the plant that lie above ground level. Water can also be a source of bacteriological or phytosanitary pollution from the use of harmful pesticides, particularly in southern hemisphere countries. Lastly, directly ingesting soil is also a contamination vector. these distinctions are useful in pinpointing the issues in terms of pollution and growing produce in an urban environment that are specific to developed economies as well as those that apply to emerging economies. The example of cress-growing in Madagascar, studied as part of the QUALISANN program, is a good illustration of the health issues facing urban agriculture in the southern hemisphere. The risks to city-grown food are mainly bacteriological from residents’ wastewater, and are due to the location of production areas in low-lying, flood-prone parts of the city. In the northern hemisphere, urban agriculture in inner cities and peri-urban areas is developing primarily in short supply chains using methods similar to organic farming, so residual pesticide levels are low. On the other hand, pollution from traffic and in the soil from former industrial uses is a major concern. Soil properties and pollutants It is also important to differentiate between various types of pollutants, according to their harmfulness and properties when in interaction with their environment. Lead (Pb), for instance, is less mobile than cadmium but it transfers more readily to plants where the soil is acid and low in organic matter. So, the concentration of a pollutant in the soil is simply a partial indicator of pollution risk; another factor is the characteristics of the pollutants and of the soil. Crop types Not all crop types are equally sensitive to soil or air pollution. Lead pollution has very little impact on the edibility of fruit, but it does diminish the edibility of some vegetables. For example, leafy vegetables (lettuce, cabbage, spinach, etc.) that have a large area exposed to atmospheric particles,

6. and root vegetables (carrot, radish, beetroot, etc.), are more exposed to risks than fruiting vegetables (tomato, pepper, eggplant, etc.). Certain garden herbs, such as parsley, are heavily exposed to soil and air pollution alike. In urban agriculture, great care must therefore be taken when choosing the location for cultivating such plants. The time it takes for a crop to grow is another consideration. The longer a plant is in the soil, the more it is at risk of being impacted by a range of pollutants; for example, this means that thyme, which is exposed year-round, is more sensitive to pollutants than basil. Urban agriculture models The type of urban agriculture also plays a not inconsiderable role in cutting or increasing some risks. Indoor urban agriculture, for example, will naturally tend to minimize the risk of air or soil pollution. But this model of farming raises other issues that relate to the amount of energy consumed, the profitability of the crops – in the light of the financial investment needed – or the artificial nature of such growing systems, which sometimes struggle to be accepted by consumers who are wary of wholly artificial local production systems. What is the difference between urban agriculture and community gardening? Community gardeners generally grow produce to eat at home or to share. ... Some community gardens, often in urban areas, move into growing for commercial use — one view of the difference between a community garden and urban agriculture defines the latter as gardens or farms planted for the purpose of selling the produce. Community gardens are often used in urban neighborhoods to alleviate the food desert effect. Food accessibility described in urban areas refers to residents who have limited access to fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables.

7. Overview of Urban Farming Urban farming involves the process of growing and cultivating food for a city or a heavily-populated town. Urban farmers can grow anything from peppers to potatoes. The ultimate goal is to sell the vegetables and fruits grown in the garden. The recipient could be a restaurant or soup kitchen. Either way, the end goal is to sell the food and move it from a grower to its customer. Urban farming offers numerous benefits for communities, including the: Ability to bolster local economies Chance for people to make more friends and grow closer to their communities Opportunity to purchase cheap and healthy foods Chance to have a greater appreciation for food and the work it takes to grow different crops. Anyone can start an urban farm. You don’t have to build your own corporation. Many people in the past have started urban farms with a couple of friends. That said, some urban farms in the U.S. do receive outside support from other organizations. Overview of Urban Gardening and Community Gardens Community gardens are collectively managed by different people. Anyone from the community can participate! With most community gardens, participate can focus on their individual plot of land. Whether they want to grow some tomatoes for a salad or rosemary for seasoning, they can plant whatever they want in their designated spot. Once the plants are finished growing, they can enjoy the fruits of their labor for themselves. They do not sell anything they grow. Community gardens are typically managed by local governments or nonprofit organizations. Like urban farms, they also offer numerous benefits for communities such as: Increased sense of community Nicer and more attractive surroundings Improved food education Main Differences Between Urban Farming and Urban Gardening At a glance, urban farming and community gardening appear to be interchangeable. While they do share a number of similarities, there are some distinct differences between the two.

8. In general, they differ in their: End goals Number of participants Systems For instance, urban farms tend to be more business-oriented than community gardens. After all, their end goal is to sell the food that they grow. Community gardens typically have more people involved. Because numerous people are given space on smaller plots, they can accompany more participants. Urban farms also tend to be more technology-oriented. Many of them incorporate hydroponics systems and greenhouses to help take care of their plants. As a result, they tend to grow their plants on a much larger scale than community gardens. That said, both urban farming and community gardens offer their own distinct benefits. Many experts see both as critical players in a community-based food system. In fact, many urban farms and community gardens are beginning to incorporate aspects of the other in their operations. what is keeping people from urban gardening Attend a food conference today and in all likelihood there will be a tract on urban farming. There will be participants and speakers referring to themselves as urban farmers. Google “urban agriculture” and you will find thousand of sites. Urban farming is clearly in the minds eye of many individuals, community groups, food justice advocates, environmentalists, city planners and gardeners. That’s great, but what does it all mean, what is urban agriculture and why all the interest now? After all, growing food in cities is not a new concept. As with most things, ask two different people and you will get two different answers. So we’ll speak for ourselves and for what we’ve learned as urban farmers. SIMPLY PUT, URBAN FARMING IS GROWING OR PRODUCING FOOD IN A CITY OR HEAVILY POPULATED TOWN OR MUNICIPALITY. Urban agriculture is often confused with community gardening, homesteading or subsistence farming. We’re happy to be thought of in such fine company but the fact is that they are very different animals. What distinguishes us is that urban agriculture assumes a level of commerce, the growing of product to be sold as opposed to being grown for personal consumption or sharing. In community gardening, there is no such commercial activity. You don’t have to be a corporation to be an urban farm or have a large tract of land. An individual, a couple of friends, a nonprofit entity, or neighborhood group can start and run an urban farm. There

9. is no one correct sales outlet for an urban farm. Food can be the sold to restaurants or at a farmers market, given to a local soup kitchen or church, but the food is raised primarily to be moved (through some form of commerce) from the grower to the user. As more of us begin to understand our food system, more of us seek to have more input into how food is grown, how it is treated after being harvested and how it moves from one place along the food route to another. People have begun to understand how far food travels, and that they, as the consumer, have had no say in what is grown or how it is grown. Urban agriculture can change that and in doing so it can take a rightful place is the larger food system. Urban agriculture has become a means to increase access to locally grown food and a way of reintroducing the public to the many aspects of food that we have lost as a culture. How food grows, what grows regionally and seasonally are all important lessons and make a better informed urban consumer. Urban farms can be the front line of the food system. For some the term urban implies inner city, like where Greensgrow is. For others, urban has come to mean areas that are on the perimeter of cities (what some refer to as peri-urban). There is no single characterization of size or placement; some are on rooftops, on landfills, brownfields, or areas where housing or industry may have been demolished. Some cities are giving up part of their park systems to allow urban farmers to plant their seeds. Every urban farm is different just as every rural farm is different. Zoning plays a big role in urban agriculture. It can dictate what kind of growing may be allowed, whether animals, retail sales, and even education can be part of the operation. Many cities have multiple restrictions on raising animals with the result that most urban farms don’t keep animals for production purposes. Farming, big or small, is almost always a regulated activity. The production and selling of a food is potentially rife with safety and liability issues, as well as commerce, zoning and cultural issues. Producing food for people to eat is a big responsibility and not to be entered into without a great deal of thought and planning. Some urban farms are built exclusively for education, training or re-entry programs. Many are built to improve food access in a specific community or to continue traditional culinary cultures. Some are built as for-profit concerns, recognizing that the savings on food transportation can make urban farming financially viable as well as more environmentally responsible. For others food justice is the reason to develop urban farms in their communities, which means improving the access to fresh food for economically disadvantaged communities.

10. conclusion Urban gardening is the practice of growing plants in an urban environment. ... Although there is not one steadfast definition of urban gardening, it is usually grouped into two segments, container gardening and rooftop gardening. Container gardening is very common for people with small patios, yards, or balconies.Urban gardening reduces carbon footprints by reducing carbon emissions during the transportation of food, vegetables, and fruits from other regions or countries. It also relieves the farms where agriculture was traditionally practiced, freeing the land for natural regeneration.Urban agriculture increases access to healthy, affordable, fresh produce and provides communities with opportunities to learn about nutrition and growing food. It encourages the community to know where food comes from, how it's grown, and connect with the people who grow it!