Growing School Food Gardens

Hello,

I'm looking for some guidance with how to safely proceed with our school garden program in light of the Los Angeles fires. Ash has fallen all over the city. I worry about its toxicity to the soil, students (& my) touching the soil and, of course, eating from the garden. 

I wish I had a very light power shop vac  to go over the whole garden with, something that could leave the leaves but suck up the dust. 

So, first steps, when the smoke clears? Soil testing? (Who do you use?)

Gloves? (I hate gloves.)

Scrape the top layer of soil? (Who could I hire, and this sounds expensive!)

Transitioning from a food and natives garden to a 100% habitat garden? (This would be unfortunate!) 

Thanks in advance for your insights. 

~Maya, Garden Teacher, Rosewood STEM Magnet, Los Angeles, C

Hello,

I'm looking for some guidance with how to safely proceed with our school garden program in light of the Los Angeles fires. Ash has fallen all over the city. I worry about its toxicity to the soil, students (& my) touching the soil and, of course, eating from the garden. 

I wish I had a very light power shop vac  to go over the whole garden with, something that could leave the leaves but suck up the dust. 

So, first steps, when the smoke clears? Soil testing? (Who do you use?)

Gloves? (I hate gloves.)

Scrape the top layer of soil? (Who could I hire, and this sounds expensive!)

Transitioning from a food and natives garden to a 100% habitat garden? (This would be unfortunate!) 

Thanks in advance for your insights. 

~Maya, Garden Teacher, Rosewood STEM Magnet, Los Angeles, C

Hello,

I'm looking for some guidance with how to safely proceed with our school garden program in light of the Los Angeles fires. Ash has fallen all over the city. I worry about its toxicity to the soil, students (& my) touching the soil and, of course, eating from the garden. 

I wish I had a very light power shop vac  to go over the whole garden with, something that could leave the leaves but suck up the dust. 

So, first steps, when the smoke clears? Soil testing? (Who do you use?)

Gloves? (I hate gloves.)

Scrape the top layer of soil? (Who could I hire, and this sounds expensive!)

Transitioning from a food and natives garden to a 100% habitat garden? (This would be unfortunate!) 

Thanks in advance for your insights. 

~Maya, Garden Teacher, Rosewood STEM Magnet, Los Angeles, C

Hello,

I'm looking for some guidance with how to safely proceed with our school garden program in light of the Los Angeles fires. Ash has fallen all over the city. I worry about its toxicity to the soil, students (& my) touching the soil and, of course, eating from the garden. 

I wish I had a very light power shop vac  to go over the whole garden with, something that could leave the leaves but suck up the dust. 

So, first steps, when the smoke clears? Soil testing? (Who do you use?)

Gloves? (I hate gloves.)

Scrape the top layer of soil? (Who could I hire, and this sounds expensive!)

Transitioning from a food and natives garden to a 100% habitat garden? (This would be unfortunate!) 

Thanks in advance for your insights. 

~Maya, Garden Teacher, Rosewood STEM Magnet, Los Angeles, C

Hi Maya,

How are things with your garden and your students? I don't think this is any new info here, but I came across this article and thought of you https://www.sunset.com/home-garden/edible-gardening/restore-edible-garden-after-wildfire

Hope you're all doing OK

Hello,

I'm looking for some guidance with how to safely proceed with our school garden program in light of the Los Angeles fires. Ash has fallen all over the city. I worry about its toxicity to the soil, students (& my) touching the soil and, of course, eating from the garden. 

I wish I had a very light power shop vac  to go over the whole garden with, something that could leave the leaves but suck up the dust. 

So, first steps, when the smoke clears? Soil testing? (Who do you use?)

Gloves? (I hate gloves.)

Scrape the top layer of soil? (Who could I hire, and this sounds expensive!)

Transitioning from a food and natives garden to a 100% habitat garden? (This would be unfortunate!) 

Thanks in advance for your insights. 

~Maya, Garden Teacher, Rosewood STEM Magnet, Los Angeles, C