I've used the Garden Centers' compost to level my backyard which is like 20x25. The sod has taken quite nicely, even though I had it put down shortly before the first frost last Fall. There wasn't much trash in it...certainly not difficult to sift out anyway if it's free and closeby. Plus if you can wheelbarrow it to your house, no worries about your car getting gross (the bags from the store always have holes).

But I am no gardener.

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Resident of Fishtown, Moderator of Fish/No. Libs/Kenzo forum, Real Estate Agent-Prudential Fox & Roach

I do believe that the Garden Centers compost is mostly made up from dehydrated human waste and other organic compounds. It is clean and doesn't smell like poo, it goes through many sterilizing washings and then is laid out in large piles to dry in the sun. They do this out near the airport off of Bartram Ave. It is perfectly safe to use for plants and in your yard however I would not recommend using it for veggies just to be on the safe side. I could be wrong about this info but I was told that this was the case a couple of years ago. You might want to ask who ever works there just to be certain.

I got all mine at the city compost site just south of the Acacadamy Ave exit on state road. Pain in the butt getting up to the roof though I can tell you that.

Where are you doing this? A few containers on your roof I can get, but I would assume a 1000 gallon pond would be at _least_ 8,000 lbs. Is it up there in one of those "strange tanks" of yours? :P Or did you get a large commercial/old industrial property? I know you've mentioned home rehabs before, and possibly getting a large site to do that flea market idea.. but..

Oh sorry, this past winter I managed to purchase the vacant lot next door at sherrif's sale. So the tank will be in there, basically a cement box with a rubber liner in it and some plumbing. I'm way behind schedule on it, I had hoped to have it all built with water in it by now.

The container garden on the roof is pretty simple too. I have about 20 storage bins filled with a mixture of dirt, compost and peat moss and a bunch of drip irrigation lines. Certainly not pretty, but it seems to work pretty well.

Oh by the way, if anyone is interested in some free shovels, I have about 8 of them free to a good home.

I could really use a shovel. I'll send you a PM.

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I'd love to see pictures as a reference.

Do you have easy access to your roof?

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Great thread, very informative. I planted some herbs and berries just to see if they'll take, looking good so far. However I hadn't taken into consideration the possibility of contaminated soil. My street's always been residential, so how worried should I be?

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"What's up Pops!" - Lebron James to Bush 41.

Nobody would know for sure without testing. Who's to say what might have been done to your plot since it was first used. It's probably safe for adults. Children are much more affected by small doses of lead and murcury which are the most common toxins found in inner city neighborhoods. Not all plants pull toxins from the ground. I would definately avoid root veggies unless you know better.

I was happy with putting three tomato plants in an old fiberglass wash basin that was left in my backyard! Now I read about all this other neat gardening stuff and I feel like my miniscule attempt is futile. At any rate, I'm hoping my German Queen (pink, less acidic) tomatoes do well, and my one cherry tomato produces too. If I had more room I'd like to plant sugar snap peas, broccoli, parsley, strawberries and blueberries.

I could use one of those shovels if you have any left.

Bunne

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~ Peace & Harmony ~