In article ,
Jolyn wrote:

I have recently spent a great deal of money setting up raised beds to
allow me to begin growing my own vegetables, something I have always
wanted to do but never had the chance. However, having got everything
ready including seeds etc I have been told that I cannot use the beds
because there are old Railway sleepers below them, which have very
likely seeped oil and other nasties into the ground.

Potential creosote issue. A human carcinogen. Get an on site opinion.

Obviously I don't want to end up growing veg that will make us sick, so
I need to know if this really does mean that these beds are only good
for flowers etc or whether I have any chance of growing veg safely
there?

Flowers sound reasonable alternative in not suitable for food crops..

(I bought the house with the sleepers in place so they have been there
for anything from 5 to 10 years.)

Hope it works out OK!

Bill

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Garden in shade zone 5 S Jersey USA