UGC Reader Question: Growing Vegetables in Polluted Areas
By Vanessa Richins
Vivian Campbell is wondering “about the safety of vegetables grown on a terrace in a polluted city like Cairo, which is where I live. Any help available? Thanks.”
Hello from the other side of the world!
As the world becomes more industrialized and the air, soil and water more polluted, it is indeed a concern to gardeners everywhere.
One plan that I would suggest is, if possible, bring the plants inside. You can surround them with plants that work to purify the air. Some plants that are especially efficient at removing air pollution include (as tested by NASA) :
- Bamboo palm, Chamaedorea seifritzii
- Chinese evergreen, Aglaonema modestum
- English ivy
- Fiscus, Benjamina
- Gerbera daisy, Transvaal daisy
- Dracaena ‘Janet Craig’
- Dracaena ‘Marginata’
- Corn cane, Dracaena massangeana
- Mother-in-law’s tongue, Sansevieria laurentii
- Peace lily, Spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa’
- Pot mum, Chrysanthemum
- Dracaena ‘Warneckei’
Each one of these plants works on different air pollutants. If you add 15-20 of these plants to your house (based on a size of 1800 square feet), the entire house would be purified, and it would be safe for your vegetables.
If you cannot bring them inside, there are steps you can take to reduce the effects of pollution, though in areas of high concentration, I would be very cautious about eating vegetables.
Test your soil for heavy metals. This is especially important as it may cause developmental and health problems.
Grow your plants organically - especially through the use of non-chemical fertilizers.
Plant vegetables that are less susceptible. These include cucumbers, pumpkins, and peppers.
Here is an excellent article about air pollution and vegetables
I wish you luck in finding a way to grow vegetables in Cairo. Everyone needs a garden!
Source
August 18th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Just make sure that you are up to date on plants that can be detrimental (poisonous) to cats (or dogs or other companion animals, if you share your life with them) before bringing any plants indoors! A lot of those on this list are poisonous.
August 19th, 2008 at 2:19 am
I’ve found the ASPCA’s list to be one of the most comprehensive when it comes to poisonous plants.
August 19th, 2008 at 3:07 am
Thanks for reminding us about that - I was focusing on the pollution busting part and didn’t mention the poisonous to animals part.