Healthy City Fall River sponsored an educational session on soil analysis on October 23, 2008, to assist groups and individuals in Fall River who wish to start a community garden in determining what has to be done before planting next spring in regard to soil analysis and preparation. Derek Christianson of Brix Bounty Farm in North Dartmouth (http://brixbounty.blogspot.com) led a session on soil testing and soil health at St. Luke’s Church on Warren Street for about a dozen interested gardeners. Anyone may submit a soil sample to University of Massachusetts at Amherst for testing. The basic charge is only $9.00 or $13 with a PH test. All the information needed is at www.umass.edu/plsoils/soiltest or by calling 413-545-0111.Click here for pictures of the first Community Gardening meeting. Click here for the Herald News article. For further information, contact Dr. Weed at 508-324-2411. videotaped segments of Derek's presentation can be seen by clicking any of the following topics: site analysis, water sources and lead testing, soil testing procedure, using a soil probe, reasons for soil testing and interpreting a soil test report (section one, section two and section three).
 

(Top row) Derek Christianson from Brix Farm in Dartmouth describes the soil analysis process in a proposed community garden plot next to St. Luke's Church on Warren Street in Fall River. (Middle row) Fall River Street Tree Planting coordinator Mary Ann Wordell tries her hand at taking a soil sample using a soil probe that Derek then transfers to a plastic bag for mailing to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst for analysis. (Bottom row) Derek leads the group through the results of an analysis report from the University while making suggestions for how to improve the soil through the addition of lime and nutrients to create a good soil for growing vegetables.