"JP" wrote in message
m...
I am planning to start a vegetable garden this year, I have been
preparing the ground... The best place to have my garden is where the
previous home-owners dumped their firewood ashes (and God knows what
else!). I am planning on having the soil tested by the local Ag.
Cooperative Extension... The list of chemicals they can test is VERY
extensive (and each test cost more). I am planning the basic test
(this will tell me if it is a suitable place to grow anything...), but
what kind of other test should have them do? Should I have them test
for Arsenic? Asbestos? Benzene? Cyanide? Lead? Mercury? Any other
metals or mineral?
I am planning to raise a fammily and I do not want to make anyone of
us sick... any inputs you may provide is welcome!
Cheers!
Save Antartica

Heavy metals are definitely the thing to test for. Don't worry about
cyanide or benzene. You won't find cyanide there, and benzene will go
away very soon if the soil is moist and fertile. The stuff is
biodegradable. Also, asbestos isn't a problem unless you grind it up
and breathe it.


Ray Drouillard