There's an empty lot, I believe it's an old park, on First St between Colgate and Brunswick that I always thought would make a great garden, if anyone is looking for spaces.

there's an empty lot on First, between Grove and Erie, that would make an awesome garden.

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This event looks pretty interesting. A lot of projects for families and children. May check it out. The community garden concept seems interesting as long as a lot of people want to do it.

Just saw this, Community Garden Program Kick-Off, May 7th @ City Hall:
http://www.cityofjerseycity.com/uploa ... ether%20-%20AdoptALot.pdf

If you find an available lot, Rutgers will do an analysis of the soil for about $30. They will report the level of nutrients, lead, or other chemicals requested, and make suggestions as to remediation of any problems.

If the results show levels of contaminants that are too high, you may ask the city to remove a sufficient layer to clear them and add clean topsoil. If this is not practical, the entire lot can be set up as a raised-bed garden.

So glad to see some replies!

I was going to go look at tax maps at the City and figure out what is city owned in my JC neighborhood. I haven't done that yet.

I'm thinking about trying to look for lots closer to the Journal Square area, but the Grove St area is not out of the question.

For anyone who has done some research already, what lots are you thinking about? And, do you have a copy of the JC tax map?

considering the amount of gardens in NYC, I feel like they'd have figured something out about contaminants by now. It'd be worth talking to someone that runs one of those.

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Most of my stuff except for the grapes, kiwis, raspberries & figs is in containers too. I don't think there's much current airborne contaminants since lead was removed from gas, but I haven't looked into it specifically. Likely the main source of such stuff today is coal fired electric plants, and in that case I don't know where you'd even buy your veggies that wasn't exposed.

Brewster, I'm a container gardener myself. Do I have to worry about air contaminents (soot from airplanes, car exhaust, etc) when growing tomatoes and peppers?

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Not that you shouldn't do your own research and follow your own level of risk, but my inquiries concluded that fruits of all kinds, anything carrying seeds, tend not to pick up soil contaminants like metals, but leafy veggies do. They're actually developing GM plants designed to take up heavy metal contaminants, even radioactive ones, in their leaves. So don't worry about tomatoes, but don't grow spinach in the ground here. For that you can always build a raised bed, line the bottom with several layers of landscaping cloth, and fill it with clean soil.

http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/Soil_Contaminants.pdf

Here's a study that even shows that the tubers hold a fraction of what the leaves do.

http://www.pjoes.com/pdf/9.4/249-253.pdf

I'd be surprised if there are many city owned lots left after the great bubble, and both city & private owners are very wary of letting garden groups in, since they've historically shown very little grace in leaving when asked. but he article says they're supportive, so.....

I'd also be interested to hear what city-owned lots are available to turn into a community garden. Please let me know!

Hi Everyone,

I have been actively working to setup up a community garden somewhere in downtown Jersey City the past few weeks. I have been in communication with the JC dept of planning and think I may have found a couple spots that might work. I will definitely post more information here as things hopefully progress.

I'd be interested in learning more as well...

I'd be down.

I would definitely be interested!

My main concern would be the location as some areas have soil with questionable levels of contaminants...

I'd be interested in learning more.

Where are the lots you're considering and are you planning to have a meeting for people who are interested?

Hi there.

Sorry if there have been previous posts about this. I'm interested in getting a group of JC residents together to start a community garden (see link to article below). Please let me know if you're interested and/or if you know of other people getting together about this.

Thanks!


http://www.jerseycityindependent.com/ ... -start-community-gardens/