edibleportland.com | 13 Gardeners and farmers know well that every handful of earth is unique and alive. Whether contained within the small pot of a windowsill succulent or covering the expanse of a backyard plot of vegetables, dirt is the multiplicitous, magical medium that fosters life, providing us with beauty and sustenance. Still, when we think about soil, we tend to circumscribe its impacts to these spaces and whatever grows there. When we consider only what is best for a particular plant, we miss an opportunity to consider what is also best for our community, both locally and globally. Justin Giuliano, the lead soil researcher at Rosy Soil, is part of a modern gardening movement that encourages us to contemplate what our soils are made of, where they come from, and what that means for ecosystems far beyond the perimeters of our own property. “My foray into soil science began in Chicago as a garden educator working with public school students. I taught K-12 kids about gardening, nutrition, environmentalism, and everything in between,” says Giuliano. “Now, as part of Rosy, I have the space to experiment with innovative soil formulas that are focused on nurturing soil life and life on this planet.” Chad Massura, a self-proclaimed “proud soil nerd” and founder of Rosy Soil, believes that “gardening can be a force for good.” Similarly to the sustainable food movement that has influenced so many of Portland’s best restaurants, the sustainable soil movement emphasizes the importance of sourcing high-quality, ethical ingredients. “Soil is much more than just dirt—it’s a critical part of global ecosystems,” says Massura. “The choices we make when buying soil can have ripple effects on the environment.” One of the key examples of this is peat moss, a material that is commonly used in potting soils and is harvested from peat bogs. “Destroying these bogs releases carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change, and removes habitats for This Spring, Care for Your Plants and Your Community with Sustainable Soil By Elena Valeriote
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