• Post Reply Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic
permaculture forums growies critters building homesteading energy monies kitchen purity ungarbage community wilderness fiber arts art permaculture artisans regional education skip experiences global resources cider press projects digital market permies.com pie forums private forums all forums
this forum made possible by our volunteer staff, including ...
master stewards:
  • Nancy Reading
  • Carla Burke
  • r ranson
  • John F Dean
  • paul wheaton
  • Pearl Sutton
stewards:
  • Jay Angler
  • Liv Smith
  • Leigh Tate
master gardeners:
  • Christopher Weeks
  • Timothy Norton
gardeners:
  • thomas rubino
  • Jeremy VanGelder
  • Maieshe Ljin

near airport site

 
pollinator
Posts: 194
Location: Spain
17
forest garden fungi urban
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Hi all,
I am new to permies.com....

I'm looking for info about growing food near airport sites.
What safety mesures might be in order before starting to grow food there. What kind of pollution is the most probable?
Is it safe to just let the crops (veggies) grow on open ground or would it be better to set up some kind of cover for the growing beds?
I am thinking on flying compounds/particles assuming that those could be any worse of what can be found in cities, near high traffic roads.
Any real life experiencies to share?

Regards
 
pollinator
Posts: 976
Location: Porter, Indiana
166
trees
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
When I was getting my pilot's license, not once was de-icing fluid ever sprayed on my little piper warrior. It might be a problem if you live next to a major regional hub in a cold climate, but for the vast majority of airports I would not be worried.

As part of the pre-flight inspection, a bit of Jet A fuel was taken out, inspected, and then dumped on the ground. Supposedly Jet A has lead in it, so over time that might be a problem. Airports tend to be huge in terms of land area (5,000+ foot runways take a bit of space) so there's a good chance that even being right next to an airport you're a mile or two away from a major source of containment.
 
steward
Posts: 7926
Location: Currently in Lake Stevens, WA. Home in Spokane
350
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
A former neighbor was a commercial jet pilot. He was also deeply involved in artisan wine making.
When his property could no longer accommodate the quantity of grapes required, he leased space at LAX to grow grapes between some of the runways.

He went on to become a well recognized vintner, and eventually (after retiring from aviation), purchased substantial acreage further north. But his first vineyard was smack dab inside LAX. Apparently, he saw no danger. Sold premium wines in a members only club near the airport, and most of the members were involved, one way or another to aviation. Perhaps their closeness to the industry caused them to turn a blind eye, but then again, if there were dangers, I'm sure they would have purchased elsewhere.



 
pollinator
Posts: 11853
Location: Central Texas USA Latitude 30 Zone 8
1261
cat forest garden fish trees chicken fiber arts wood heat greening the desert
  • Likes 1
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
In my opinion, a garden soil which is full of organic material and life, and especially fungi, will take care of most contaminants.

http://radicalmycology.com/educational-tools/human-uses-of-mushrooms/mycoremediation-101/
 
Antonio Scotti
pollinator
Posts: 194
Location: Spain
17
forest garden fungi urban
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
Hi,
well your replies so far sound encouraging
Thanks
 
Do or do not. There is no try. --Yoda ... this tiny ad thinks Yoda is a dumbass:
rocket mass heater risers: materials and design eBook
https://permies.com/w/risers-ebook
reply
    Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic