Vegetable Garden

Jules, is the coal naturally occurring, or has it been dumped there? Do you know?

 

What about using membrane.under the raised bed?

 

You can get the soil tested for contaminents, but it will cost. Might be worth talking to other gardeners/allotment holders in the area to see if they've already done it.

I remember the slag heaps of Hednesford, just coal dust & fireclay. Like humanity had taken nature & piled a load of **** on it

 

It's naturally occurring so I've been told :-/ yeah I thought about putting membrane down but read that most are not much good and weeds grow through after a time. If its my only option then I will use it. I'm a bit paranoid now that I'm going to poison us. I will try to speak to somebody else but I don't know anyone who has a vegetable patch nearby. I wonder why?

Thanks again everyone.

 

Keep us posted Jules...

 

I will do.

ps I used to love Worzel Gummidge!

 

I've just been reading about past coal mining and contaminated land. It mentions the roots of the plants taking up the substance which is obviously what I'm worried about. It has taken me such a long time to get these raised beds sorted that it's such a shame. I feel totally gutted but even with a membrane down I think I will be so paranoid about the toxins. Don't feel it is meant to be. Perhaps I will fill them with beautiful plants and flowers.

 

I'm at a total loss what to do.All I want is to grow my own food. Don't know whether to put the membrane down and go for it or whether it's just not worth the risk.

Jules