Most veggie plants don't take up excessive amounts of toxins...or much at all aside from extremely small trace amounts. Nutrient exchange by plants rely on nutrient receptor points in plants and another layer of protection in the plant that selectively lets certain nutrients pass into root tissue. Given that...most toxins don't make it in huge amounts into the plant, itself. Also given that...because these toxins are taken up then excluded at the root zone (mostly through the casparian strip in the roots) there can be an accumulation of toxins in root crops. That said, just being close to a road or urban area doesn't necessarily mean there's going to be toxins. Lead levels are higher in urban areas, though not usually extremely danger levels. If one wants to be as safe as they can be...avoid growing root crops and wash anything harvested above ground. This is a bit overkill or not a concern for most, though. There's not a huge amount of danger in urban gardening unless you're growing on soils you know have former industrial/dumping activity or some other toxicity issues.

Dj...I'm so glad you're going ahead with a garden. Maybe you can get other neighbors and community members involved! I do agree that probably planting anything helps negate some pollution. I imagine planting air purifying plants (like the spider fern) would also be beneficial...maybe around the edges of the garden so much pollution gets taken up by the non-edibles? I've also thought maybe something like Tulsi (Holy Basil) would be a good idea as it can do things like remove fluoride from water and detox radiation. The community garden I started at my apartment complex uses railroad ties as its surroundings (not my choice, but still grateful for anything). I noticed any leaves touching the railroad ties would become dry, brittle and eaten away...so the carcinogens definitely affect plants and they are taking up that toxin. However, I was never able to find if the toxins stopped before the fruits/vegetables or if those toxins also leaked into the food I'm eating. Either way - hopefully all the holy basil and fresh, nutrient-dense foods I grow/eat will help combat any negatives of planting within railroad ties.

Welcome back, Sue! I hope your 2006 season is the best ever so that it can totally make up for losing 2005!

Welcome! The good news is- you can put away the snow shovel, but not the jackets. In a couple of years your blood will be so thinned out you'll be grabbing a sweater when it gets to the low 70's :-) You're right about the planting time frames being very different. A lot of people use planting guides from the extension office. I like the one on Fanick's nursery too. The website is linked below. I've lived in a few parts of SA, but not in Live Oak. Have you dug in the yard at all? There's this rocky stuff they call caliche in a lot of the city. If you have that you pretty much have to build/construct some kind of raised bed. There was a pretty good thread that talked about some things to think about. http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/txgard/msg0313094626705.html When you look at where you put your garden make sure you have access to water hoses. You'll need them. Also there is a plant swap Oct 12. You should come if you have time. There's a whole lot of nice people and very experienced gardeners you could connect with. But feel free to post questions regardless. Lisa Here is a link that might be useful: Fanick's gardening calendar