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Our offices will be closed Thursday, June 19th
Project Overview
The gardens surrounding Old Economy Village have just begun their transformation after multiple years of decline. Initial plant health, crop steering, integrated pest management planning and soil health will be essential prior to full scale restoration. While maintaining historically significant landscapes, fiber flax plots could grant insights and potential solutions to modern day challenges on evolved grounds. These insights include, but are not limited to the following:
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Nutrient imbalances and sustainable/safe resolution options
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Heavy metal toxicity potential from industrialization
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Pathogen loads/risks and potential cultural (non-chemical) control solutions
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Micro-climates and potential gradients across the historic gardens
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Irrigation steering for future transplants
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Soil structure and potential points of improvement
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Irrigation water purity and elemental components from water authority source or antiquated infrastructures
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Land surface temperatures and variances compared to early data sets relative to soil moisture and atmospheric temperature/humidity
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The viability of fiber flax to be used in soil remediation for industrially polluted or calcareous land in the greater Pittsburgh area
Plots, once harvested, will lead the way for transplants in late 2025 or early 2026, soil analysis depending. It should also be noted that this project would serve as the initial educational events to share not only Harmonist history but also highlight old and new ideas on industrious sustainability and gardening in an ever-changing climate. It is the hope that additional educational classes and community events will be possible throughout 2025/2026 which expand upon the proposed series.
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Purpose
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To evaluate the potential utility of historically significant fiber flax as a means of soil remediation and potential to correct nutrient imbalances while providing insights into potential heavy metal pollution to soils at Old Economy Village due to proximal industrial sites.
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Launch 2025 educational events through lectures, signage and website page establishment to discuss research, site history and sustainable farming practices.
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Prep ground for new transplants following research finalization using sustainable, economical & environmentally friendly practices and advance landscape restoration attempts to create historically significant spaces for community enjoyment.
Data Collection
Irrigation Water Analysis
Full Soil Fertility & Environmental Testing
Vertical growth/height
Rain gauge readings for rainfall events (day of rainfall to reduce evaporation anomalies in readings)
germination timeline and date of visible seedlings
pest/pathogen load – visual inspection (Average population count or affected area over 1 ft2 sampled from 3 random sites with the affected plot)
Day of lab sample collection and submission
Weight and/or volume of samples submitted to labs (plant material vs soil vs irrigation water)
Dates of key processed in bed preparation, seeding, irrigation (duration included)
Time of flower and harvest (cd)
Height at time of harvest
Temperature and humidity (atmospheric) and soil moisture daily data logged via sensor
Land surface temperature via IR thermometer at repeatable point of measure
Equipment & Materials
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Flax (1) - 5LB
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Flax (2) - 5LB
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Ground Cloth/Tarps & Landscape Staples
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HOBO T/%RH/Soil moisture Data Logger
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HOBO T/%RH Data Logger
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Laptop w/ HOBOconnect App
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Drip Irrigation Kit 2000’
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Jang Seeder JP-3 Row
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R-24 Seed Plates
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IR Digital Thermometer
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Measuring Cups (as needed)
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Ruler
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Camera (iPhone)
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T-Posts & Other Perimeter Fencing
We would like to extend our gratitude to some of the organizations that made this project possible through support via funding, products or services. Click their logo below to find out more about a few of our supporters.
