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.

BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month! 

See how at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/support.

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

Visit https://shop.kathyjentz.com/ to browse our new online store!

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

The GardenDC podcast is also available on -

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gardendc/id1502631179
• Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc
• RadioPublic: https://radiopublic.com/gardendc-G2ql5V
• iHeartRADIO: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-gardendc-73615877/
  
• aCast: https://play.acast.com/s/gardendc
  
• Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/776561ca-75d6-4c63-833b-7dafedf57a72/GardenDC
• Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/GardenDC-Podcast/B08JJNZBMX
• Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/gardendc
  
• Bullhorn https://www.bullhorn.fm/gardendc
• Chartable: https://link.chtbl.com/GardenDC
• Castbox: https://castbox.fm/channel/GardenDC-id2691161?country=us
• Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/us/show/5587897
• GoodPods: https://goodpods.app.link/u3gtlpybILb
• Headliner: https://play.headliner.app/podcast/37086
• Himalaya: https://www.himalaya.com/courses/gardendc-1747568
• Ivy: https://ivy.fm/podcast/gardendc-940013
• Listen Notes: https://lnns.co/VIfcBjWRnw6
• Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/gardendc/
• PocketCasts: https://pca.st/9phvd8bk
• Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/2629285
• Podfollow: https://podfollow.com/GardenDC
• Podlink: https://pod.link/GardenDC
• Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/gardendc-1137444
• Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1502631179/gardendc
  
• Reason: https://reason.fm/podcast/gardendc
• TuneIn: http://tun.in/pj7Sb
• Vurbl: https://vurbl.com/station/gardendc/
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/washingtongardenermagazine

We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode.

And be sure to leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform plus share us on social media with #GardenDC, so other gardeners can find us too!

Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz

Show Notes: Skylar Drew

Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

PIN THIS FOR LATER!

Win a bag of First Saturday Lime in the September 2023 Washington Gardener Reader Contest

For our September 2023 Washington Gardener Reader Contest, we are giving away a bag of First Saturday Lime ($32.99/20lb bag).

   First Saturday Lime (FSL) is the strongest and safest pesticide alternative on the market. Unlike traditional lime, it’s safe enough for use around kids, pets, and ponds when used as directed. With just a once-monthly application (we suggest the first Saturday of every month...wink, wink), it is strong enough to dry up insects and their eggs and larvae, while destroying odors and odor-causing bacteria. First Saturday Lime is non-flammable, and has no known health hazards as compared to diatomaceous earth. While other products are caustic, or poisonous to humans and animals, FSL is safe because it is insoluble and will not react with skin or moisture. The company has taken extra, lengthy steps to make their formula fine (with a cake flour-like consistency), so it’s easier to use and more effective. For more information, visit https://firstsaturdaylime.com/. 

   To enter, send an email to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com by 5:00pm on September 30 with “First Saturday Lime ” in the Subject line and in the body of the email. Tell us what your favorite article was in the September 2023 issue of Washington Gardener and why. Include your full name and mailing address. Winners will be announced and notified on (or shortly after) October 1. 

UPDATE:
The winner is Peter Frandsen. Congratulations, Peter!

Introducing "Color Me Bloom"

Bloom Soil, DC Water's Class A exceptional quality biosolids soil amendment, has expanded their product line now to include Color Me Bloom, a Bloom infused eyeshadow palette. 

We here at Washington Gardener Magazine are big believers in natural products and that includes our beauty regime. This has chemical-free, carbon footprint-reducing ingredients: Biosolids fresh off the Blue Plains belts for a fresh face. It is literally fertilize for our face! 

Best of all, they say, "Bloom’s slow-release nutrients mean your makeup will stay pristine from morning till night. Leave it on overnight to soak up some extra organic matter and humic acid for the skin. Vegan friendly, tested on plants only!"

Watch the educational make-up tutorial at: 

https://bloomsoil.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/final_606333a5c961a0002997aa29_904566.mp4

Happy April Fool's Day!

Win Espoma Organic Start!, Bloom!, and Grow! Liquid Fertilizers in September 2016 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest

For our September 2016 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest, Washington Gardener is giving away a set of Espoma Organic Start!, Bloom!, and Grow! liquid fertilizer. (The prize pack is valued at $30.)
   Start!, Bloom!, and Grow! from Espoma (www.espoma.com) are low in salts and made with all-natural ingredients. They are safer and healthier for plants and don’t leave a fishy smell behind. And because they are liquid, they work immediately to give plants what they need most.
   Providing the right balance of natural proteins, kelp extracts, humic acids and a proprietary blend of beneficial microbes, Start!, Bloom!, and Grow! each help plants grow bigger, better, and more beautiful.
   The new, innovative Easy Dose cap makes fertilizing less of a guessing game. Each dose gives a precise feeding of specially formulated nutrients. Simply open the flip-top lid, invert the bottle, and release a pre-measured dose of product directly into the watering can.
   Espoma’s organic liquid plant foods are safe to handle. Apply directly to the roots for fast-acting results. The products are also safe for use around children and pets.
   To enter to win the set of three fertilizers, send an email to WashingtonGardener@rcn.com by 5pm on Friday, September 30, with “Espoma Liquid Fertilizer” in the subject line and in the body of the email tell us which was your favorite article in the September 2016 issue and why. Please also include your full name and mailing address. The winner will be announced and notified on October 1.

UPDATE:

The winner, chosen at random among the submitted entries, is Joanna R. Protz of Lynch Station, VA.