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View Full Version : Safe edible garden with junk yard right next door?



GardenBrooklyn
04-06-2010, 11:28 PM
Hi all. I'm new to the forums. Hope someone can clear something up for me! I'm a total rookie when it comes to gardening... So please take it easy on me.

I just moved into a new apartment in Brooklyn, NY with a decent sized yard. Behind my yard, there's a small junk yard. Do I need to worry about my soil before starting to plant veggies? Could there be oil or other contaminants in the soil that would make the veggies or fruits dangerous to eat? Do I need to test the soil? If so, how is that done? The junk yard is kind of up on a slope so I worry that the cars could of been leaking or are leaking something that is coming down into my yard.

If any of you require pictures , let me know! I'll post some!

Thanks so much!!!

Jaime

GardenBrooklyn
04-14-2010, 01:08 AM
FYI... We're going with a raised garden.

DaveB
07-01-2010, 04:00 PM
Hey Jaime,

A UK charity, The Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens, produced a free booklet designed for what souds very similar to your situation. You can download it for free here.

Contaminated Land Guidlines

http://www.farmgarden.org.uk/publications/135-contaminated-land-guidelines (http://www.farmgarden.org.uk/publications/135-contaminated-land-guidelines" target="blank)

Hopethis helps,

Dave.