Growing root veg near a busy road

[veggiewomble]

Some years ago I read an article online about vegetable gardening in the inner city, and how you can grow your own salads, herbs etc. in windowboxes even in the smallest flats. I have a balcony and live on the 4th floor of a building overlooking a busy road. I remember reading that it was ok to grow fruits and leaf-vegetables, but NOT root veggies, i.e potatoes etc. are out of the question - if one is within a certain radius of a busy road. I am about 60 ft above ground level and maybe 70 or 80 feet away from the road. Is this far enough? It is not exactly an extremely busy road, but on the other hand I do get buses and taxis chugging down it rather frequently. I can't find the article online again, and wonder if anyone knows if it is safe to grow my own veggies, including root vegetables. I have grown herbs and tomatoes in the past.

vegwomble

[veggiewomble]

[Robert_Brenchley]

I'm sure you'd be OK; loads of allortment sites are alongside roads. Some roots would be a problem due to the limited depth of containers, but spuds and short carrots would be fine.

[Jeannine]

I don't understand this and I would like to. What is the reason for not growing the veggies near a road please? XX ??? Jeannine

[SueSteve]

I believe it used to be bad to grow things near a road due to Lead pollution, but with unleaded petrol I am not sure if this is applicable anymore.

[veggiewomble]

Yes, Jeaninne, lead pollution but I guess with unleaded petrol it should be fine...

What about particulates from diesel fumes, anybody know if they have an effect on the leaves and soil? I always wash the veggies and stuff well before cooking or eating, but I don't know if there is any way to test the soil. I know I read somewhere that one should avoid planting root vegetables especially... Maybe its no longer applicable. I can no longer find that article online either.

Anyone know if I can grow beetroot in containers and if so, how large do they have to be?  ;D

[OllieC]

Lead should stay in the soil for years, unless there's something to remove it (root crops would help!). There are a few rare metals contained in Catalytic converters that are found in measurable quantities near roundabouts although I have no idea how bad they are.

I can't remember how long ago Lead was banned, mid 80's?

I certainly wouldn't worry about it living where you are & also have a personal theory that we can do pretty much anything (without being ridiculous) with our own vegetables & still have less cr@p on them than with supermarket ones...

[SueSteve]

There are a few rare metals contained in Catalytic converters that are found in measurable quantities near roundabouts although I have no idea how bad they are.

Including Platinum in mineable quantities!!

I certainly wouldn't worry about it living where you are & also have a personal theory that we can do pretty much anything (without being ridiculous) with our own vegetables & still have less cr@p on them than with supermarket ones...

Very True :)

[Georgie]

Yes, you can grow beetroot in pots.  Depends on the variety and how big you want your plants to get but I've grown individual plants (Forono) in five inch pots and ended up decent sized plants.  If you were going for golf-ball sized plants I reckon you could grow 3 or 4 plants in a 10 inch pot.

Good luck   :)

G x