Eric ‘T’ Fleischer, Consultant, Harvard Landscape Services There are many challenges in improving urban soils. Eric Fleischer reviews these challenges and focuses on Harvard’s successful soil-enhancement project using compost tea applications. Presented at the Urban and Suburban Carbon Farming to Reverse Global Warming conference at Harvard University on May 3, 2015, organized by Biodiversity for a Livable Climate. www.bio4climate.org

1. Urban Soils - Ecologically Disturbed Sites 5/3/15
Adaptive Leadership in Organic Land Care

10. What is an adaptive
challenge?

11. Adaptive Challenge
Requires philosophical
and behavioral change,
putting us at the
forefront of our
capabilities. It can not
simply be solved through
technical means.

12. Fritz
1868
Haber
1934

13. Sound Horticultural Practice - Process Based
1. Soil Management – Testing and Diagnosis
2. Composting – Natural Nutrient Cycling
3. Plant Selection and Placement
4. Pest and Disease Control - Non-Toxic
5. Irrigation Management - Water conservation
6. Proper Planting Techniques
7. Proper Pruning Techniques

14. Soil Structure

15. Upper Root Zone 12”
Lower Root Zone 12”
Base Component
*****
12”
Sub-Soil
Soil Horizon

18. Nutrient Availability

22. Bringing Custom Compost To The Site

23. Compost
Components
Source of
Components
Proportion for Each
Mix
Bacterial
Mix
Fungal
Mix
Nitrogen Manure, Legume,
Grass Clippings,
Vegetable Waste
25% 25%
Bacterial
(Green)
Herbaceous
Materials, Hay,
Weeds
45% 30%
Fungal
(Woody)
Wood Chips,
Leaves, Sawdust,
Newspaper
30% 45%

24. C
O
M
P
O
S
T
T
E
A

25. Harvard

28. Massachusetts Hall

29. March 10 Test Plot
May 2 Control
May
2nd
Test
Plot

31. Rose F Kennedy Greenway

32. Existing Conditions
Soils with low nutrient cycling
capacity
Boxwood doing poorly as a
result
Boxwood
Increasing Natural Nutrient Cycling
Capacity
By:
Injecting a Liquid Biological
Amendment high in fungi and
protozoa into root zones of Boxwoods.
Holes backfilled with an organic food
source.

33. Turf condition
Turf had a 1.5 inch layer of thatch
along with only a 3-inch developed root
system.

35. Brooklyn
Bridge Park

36. March 21, 2010
March 23, 2010
March 22, 2010