Urban Ag for Southern Californians (March 2015) | Page 11

Soil
Soil is the living medium in which urban agriculture takes place. It is one of the
natural resources required for an urban food system. Soils can be classified in a
few ways. Like water, it is important to know what it contains. A comprehensive
soil test can be beneficial to the commercial grower. For most people a physical
test will suffice. In the urban sprawl many soils are contaminated from various
human activities. Individuals should be aware of when it is not appropriate to eat
plants from contaminated soil. Potted and raised garden beds can alleviate a
contaminated site by importing a quality soil substrate.