What do you do if you think the soil might be tainted we want to grow
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Bet32055739
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I had rented my house out for a while and they were doing scrap metal in my backyard and I’m afraid My soil might be compromise but still I’d like to have a garden
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Have the soil tested. If they were doing air conditioners... can be highly contaminated and toxic.
You might just go ahead and create raised beds using pallet wood (make sure its food grade)..... https://morningchores.com/raised-garden-bed-plans/ I like the ones on legs as no contamination and you can stand and garden.
Take some samples from the areas you want to have gardens and have it analyzed at your local extension office. Tell them about what was done in your yard and want to know if the analysis shows the soil is safe for flowers or edible gardens and what you need to know about amending the soil to make it safe and healthy. They should be able to help you more than anyone.
To be perfectly and surely safe, consider building raised beds filled with fresh soil. Download a very informative pamphlet here: http://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/EHT-078-building-a-raised-garden-bed.pdf
https://youtu.be/qIA-wuB4lFs
ive done container gardening for a few years now...one of the hometalkers suggested this soil mix...equal parts top soil, compost, peat, and perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Works pretty good, if you do veggies you might want to use a boost of fertilizer as the fruits start to mature...the liquid stuff at half strength.
thxs
Get a soil sample!!! Go to your County agricultural Extension Cooperative. They have soil kits and can do the analysis for you. Not expensive. They will also advise you how to make your soil healthy. And do much more. They are my "go to" people when I have garden/tree/soil problems.