interpretation of john bartram's garden by - University of Delaware ...

have planted species he collected from acidic wetlands.
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Today, this area would be ideal for growing and displaying
such plants for the visiting public.
However, visual observation and soil tests [see
Appendix I] show that this area has been seriously damaged
by run-off from the neighboring cement works. Not only has
the soil been made hard and impervious by sediment from the
run-off, but the soil pH has been raised from its natural
level of 5.3 to 10.0. Since these readings are based on a
logarithmic scale, a soil with a pH of 10.0 is 100,000 times
more alkaline than a soil with a pH of 5.0,
pH level, the soil cannot support most plant life,
At this high
Remedial efforts in this area should restore the
area to its natural condition. After provisions are made
to prevent future run-off through this area, the damaged
soil should be removed and replaced with a rich silt loam
soil with a pH approximating 5.3.
done so that after settling, the present contours and ele-
vations are maintained.
with species appropriate to both Bartram's Garden and this
particular environment.
Nursery Area
The grading should be
The area then should be planted
It is recommended that a small open plot be set
aside as the nursery area.
The open field east of the barn
would be ideal for this purpose since it is relatively