GardenDC Podcast Episode 231: Are Biosolids Safe for the Garden?

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with Ron Alexander, President of R. Alexander Associates, Inc (https://www.alexassoc.net/) ., all about Biosolids. The plant profile is on Jerusalem Artichoke and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on Blossoms in the Big Apple from Christy Page of Green Prints (https://greenprints.com/) . BTW, YOU can become a listener supporter for as little as $0.99 per month! See how at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/support. If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to: ~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 71: Soil Health https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2021/08/gardendc-podcast-episode-71-soil-health.html (about:invalid#zCSafez) ~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 187: Mad About Mulches https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/03/gardendc-podcast-episode-187-mad-about.html (about:invalid#zCSafez) Visit https://shop.kathyjentz.com/ to browse our new online store! Show Notes: 01:18 Introducing biosolid consultant Ron Alexander 01:55 Was Ron born with chlorophyll in his veins and a green thumb? 02:54 What brought Ron from Philadelphia to North Carolin 05:25 Ron’s current garden and growing conditions in Raleigh, North Carolina 08:15 What is a biosolid? 11:30 How are biosolids used and where? 12:53 Biosolid processing, purpose, and the humanure movement 13:17 Uses of biosolids through history 13:47: Ron talks about water removal and the organic certification process 17:35: How are biosolids categorized? (fertilizer or soil amendment?) 20:46 Nutrient content in biosolids 22:46 Are biosolids safe to use in the home garden? Ron discusses the stigma 25:04 “Groundcover Revolution” by Kathy Jentz 27:27: Kathy talks about her experience using Bloom products local to the DC area 31:22 Ron talks about biosolids as pest management or repellent 34:40 Ron talks about heavy metals in biosolid products 36:38 What concerns are there regarding pathogens, bacteria, and parasites? 39:39 Ron talks about balancing contaminant risk in gardeners’ environments 42:35 Testing for pharmaceuticals 44:42: PFAS and PFOA 49:07 How to contact Ron 49:55 “The Urban Garden” by Kathy Jentz and Teri Speight 51:20 Jerusalem Artichoke Plant Profile 53:49 What’s new in the garden this week? 56:40 The Last Work with Christy Page: “Blossoms in the Big Apple” 58:50 How to support the GardenDC Podcast We welcome your questions and comments! You can leave a voice mail message for us at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gardendc/message Note that we may use these messages on a future episode. And be sure to leave us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform plus share us on social media with #GardenDC, so other gardeners can find us too! Episode Credits: Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz Show Notes: Skylar Drew Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany Recorded on 3-8-2025.