SOIL

THE MUNSELL SOIL CHART is used as a universal standard to eliminate subjectivity and language barriers when describing the color of a soil sample. Three components are considered for each determination: hue, value, and chroma. The following is an explanation of the notation used in the Munsell chart: 

>>          An example of a Munsell description is 10YR 5/8 (the verbal description is "yellowish brown").     The 10YR portion is the hue, or the dominant wavelength (the amount of red (R) and yellow (Y) in that color). (Imagine you are having paint mixed at the hardware store; the formula "10YR" would mean 10 parts of yellow paint to 1 part red paint, giving a yellow color with red and brown tones.)

The second portion of the Munsell description, 5 in our example, represents the color value. Value is the quantity of light reflected, or the lightness or darkness of the color. Lower numbers (toward the bottom of a page) are used for darker colors, those which are absorbing more light, and higher numbers (as you move to the top of a page) are used for lighter colors, those which reflect more light.

The final portion of the Munsell description is the chroma of the color (8 in our example 10YR 5/8). Chroma refers to the purity of the color, or degree of color saturation. Low chroma numbers are dull colors, and it may be difficult to tell when the color actually changes from one color chip to another. High chroma colors are much easier to tell apart because the colors are stronger (more saturated or intense).
(http://www.soilsurvey.org/tutorial/page7.asp#b)

COMMUNITY GARDENING is a great way to promote sustainability in your area and it is taking place here in Mercer's community. A local garden in which neighbors work together fosters neighborliness, health, and consciousness. With a community garden, locals have easy access to nutritious produce and a dependable food source in unstable, fluctuating times. Something to consider when planting a garden in an urban area is the site's past use history. If structures were located on the garden plot at one time prior to the late 70's, the soil is likely to contain a higher lead concentration than is desired due to the use of lead based paint. Phytoremediation, with sunflowers for example , can be used in an effort to draw out the lead from the proposed garden site. Another solution is to plant your garden in raised beds, thereby eliminating any unknowns in the soil content. In addition, raised beds allow for easier handicap access. Multiple hands tending the garden consistently lessens the need for herbicides, which saves cost and is of course healthier.