Advice about how to undo what my teenage son did...
The problem: I was on holiday last November when my son and his friends decided to fry a turkey. Not knowing what to do with the left-over oil, the dumped it ...in the middle of my shrubs...!!!! (I will leave out the expletives) Needless to say the shrubs are dying.
The question: Once I dig up the shrubs, is there anything I can do to the soil to make it usable again?
Thanks in advance!
One frustrated Momma!
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Ellen Dunlap on Apr 18, 2014Don't think the oil did it unless they boiled the roots with hot oil. If I were in the situation I would contact your local agriculture Dept, It is free.Helpful Reply
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Renee on Apr 18, 2014Thanks Ellen! That didn't occur to me. I appreciate you.Helpful Reply
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Douglas Hunt on Apr 19, 2014I agree with Ellen that is unlikely that amount of oil is causing the decline of six large shrubs. Have you dug where they poured the oil? I doubt that you would find a trace of it.Helpful Reply
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Sally Roesner Fuhr on Apr 19, 2014If it was still boiling when thney dumped it, yes, that could kill the trees. But the soil should be fine. Did the trees die instantly, or has this been gradual? There is a fungus that will cause the trees to drop needles and leave bare branches the second year. If there is no air clearance under the trees, fungus thrives. I nearly lost 27 alberta spruce trees. We had to spray all of them (some 12 feet tall) and trim back at least 18" at the bottom of the trunk.Helpful Reply
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Susan Shiptoski on Apr 19, 2014It was the oil itself whether it was boiling or not. The oil will suffocate the shrubs and kill them, cooking oil will also kill grass. Remove the shrubs, dig out the old soil and dump fresh garden soil back in place. There is nothing beneficial leaving the oil there.Helpful Reply
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Renee on Apr 19, 2014Thanks everyone! I noticed the die back right away. They started wilting and then shriveled right where the oil was dumped. And gradually over the next three months they have died completely. The dirt is still a little oily down about 3" down in the spot where he dumped it and graduates out. @Susan Shiptoski , that is exactly what it looks like happened - suffocation!Helpful Reply
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Jeanette S on Apr 20, 2014It seems there is nothing to do but clean out the mess...that is get your son and his friends over to dig out this mess...HA!...and start over. Good luck. And tell son to eat out next time you leave the house!Helpful Reply
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Cynthia E on Apr 20, 2014I agree, they need to dig out the soil, They need to purchase new soil for it and replace your shrubs for you.Helpful Reply
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Renee on Apr 21, 2014@Jeanette S @Cynthia E - I totally agree and they are already working on it :0) Thanks again for the help!Helpful Reply
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Susan Shiptoski on Apr 23, 2014Yes, just get rid of the soil. :-DHelpful Reply
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Renee on Apr 23, 2014Thanks @Susan ShiptoskiHelpful Reply
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Susan Shiptoski on Apr 23, 2014:-DHelpful Reply
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