The Agresource Dispatch
Volume 1, Spring 2001, Page 2

DESIGNED SOIL IS THE WAY OF THE FUTURE

Professor Phillip J. Craul, Senior Lecturer in Landscape Architecture at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, is a big believer in designing and manufacturing “sustainable” soil made of recycled materials so long as strict specifications for planting projects are met. Some of Philip Craul’s soil design projects include the Boston Common Parade Garage where AGRESOIL COMPOST was used; Battery Park City in New York City; New Bedford Whaling Museum; and the J. Paul Getty Fine Arts Center in Los Angeles.

In his book, Urban Soils—Applications and Practices (J. Wiley & Sons, 1999), he discusses the poor condition of urban soils, the negative environmental impact of stripping and importing topsoil, and the opportunities for amending existing soil. In Urban Soils, Craul places emphasis on sustainability in landscape projects, defining sustainablity as “the ecological and technological planning, design, implementation, management, and maintenance of a landscape project that reduces environmental impact both on the project site and off the site.”

Craul provides a comprehensive overview and a step-by-step guide to successfully implementing a landscape project. Key chapters include “Initial Site Soil Assessment and Interpretation Development,” “Biophysical Analysis of the Project Site,” “Design and Construction of the Urban Sustainable Profile,” “Soil Specifications,” “Drainage Techniques,” “Project Erosion and Sediment Control,” as well as guidelines on the soil design decision process.

He stresses the need for the landscape architect to spend more time on site analyzing existing conditions and providing close supervision during construction. “It is imperative for the landscape architect to appreciate soil and to become knowledgeable in its properties and characteristics and how it can be designed if the practitioner wishes to be successful at all levels of project planning, design, installation and maintenance,” says Craul.

Additionally, he urges landscape architectural firms to have in-house expertise in soil science or to sub-contract for this important aspect.

Craul’s book is a valuable contribution to the landscape industry and paves the way for technically sound and environmentally responsible projects in the future.

DEFICIENT SOIL REVITALIZED WITH
INOCULANT AND COMPOST
Vigorous native grasses are supported by revitalized soil.
In constructing its new facility, American National Power (ANP) excavated a substantial amount of sandy loam from inside a sand and gravel pit located in Blackstone, MA. The loam was to be used in the re-vegetation of seven acres on-site. The problem was the loam was deficient in organic content. Also, the loam had been stored in a large pile for eighteen months effectively destroying much of the biological activity that is necessary to support healthy plant life.

The Agresource Dispatch
Managing Editor Tim J. Gould
Contributing Editor Geoff A. Kuter
Articles Editor Sydney J. Baily
The Agresource Dispatch is published bi-annually by AGRESOURCE, INC., 100 Main St., Amesbury, MA 01913. The Agresource Dispatch welcomes comments and article suggestions, which can be submitted to the managing editor at the address above or at the email address:
TGould@AGRESOURCEINC.COM.
For more information, visit our website: AGRESOURCEINC.COM.
PHC (Plant Health Care) Reclamation was hired to repair the soil and re-vegetate the seven acres with native grasses, wildflowers, trees, and shrubs.

Earth Tech of MA devised a plan that included inoculating the soil with a mycorrhizal fungus in order to re-start the biological activity in the soil. AGRESOIL COMPOST was chosen as an ideal medium and environment for the fungi to multiply and thrive.



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