Saturday, March 08, 2025

GardenDC Podcast Episode 231: Are Biosolids Safe for the Garden?

 In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with Ron Alexander, President of R. Alexander Associates, Inc., all about Biosolids. The plant profile is on Jerusalem Artichoke and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on Blossoms in the Big Apple from Christy Page of Green Prints.


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If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 71: Soil Health

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/08/gardendc-podcast-episode-71-soil-health.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 187: Mad About Mulches

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/03/gardendc-podcast-episode-187-mad-about.html

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This episode is archived at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/episodes/Are-Biosolids-Safe-for-the-Garden-e2vs4gd

Show Notes: 01:18 Introducing biosolid consultant Ron Alexander 01:55 Was Ron born with chlorophyll in his veins and a green thumb? 02:54 What brought Ron from Philadelphia to North Carolin 05:25 Ron’s current garden and growing conditions in Raleigh, North Carolina 08:15 What is a biosolid? 11:30 How are biosolids used and where? 12:53 Biosolid processing, purpose, and the humanure movement 13:17 Uses of biosolids through history 13:47: Ron talks about water removal and the organic certification process 17:35: How are biosolids categorized? (fertilizer or soil amendment?) 20:46 Nutrient content in biosolids 22:46 Are biosolids safe to use in the home garden? Ron discusses the stigma 25:04 “Groundcover Revolution” by Kathy Jentz 27:27: Kathy talks about her experience using Bloom products local to the DC area 31:22 Ron talks about biosolids as pest management or repellent 34:40 Ron talks about heavy metals in biosolid products 36:38 What concerns are there regarding pathogens, bacteria, and parasites? 39:39 Ron talks about balancing contaminant risk in gardeners’ environments 42:35 Testing for pharmaceuticals 44:42: PFAS and PFOA 49:07 How to contact Ron 49:55 “The Urban Garden” by Kathy Jentz and Teri Speight 51:20 Jerusalem Artichoke Plant Profile 53:49 What’s new in the garden this week? 56:40 The Last Work with Christy Page: “Blossoms in the Big Apple” 58:50 How to support the GardenDC Podcast

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Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz
Show Notes: Skylar Drew
Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

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2 comments:

  1. Mya3:33 PM

    Interesting topic! The question of biosolids safety is definitely one that comes up a lot. I'm looking forward to listening to Ron Alexander's perspective. Are there particular types of biosolids that are generally considered safer than others?

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    Replies
    1. WashingtonGardener11:19 AM

      Hi Mya - Hope you gave it a listen, I think Ron covers all kinds of industrial boisolids used in agriculture - you can also visit his website linked above for links to the original research and studies.

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