Gardening this Spring? Get a Soil Test!

Thinking about growing a garden this spring? Be sure to test your soil!

It is recommended that anyone interested in gardening tests their soil for potential contaminants, as undetected contaminates in garden soils can cause serious chronic health issues, especially in children. The most common pollutant in urban soils, including Portland, is lead. In 1866, Portland experienced the Great Fire, burning down a third of the city and leaving behind lots of debris[1]. After the fire, most of the debris was pushed into what are now the East Bayside and Bayside neighborhoods, leading to homes being built on lead-contaminated ground. Gardening in this lead-contaminated soil can lead to lead poisoning, posing serious health risks to everyone, especially children.

Soil testing is also beneficial to ensure the nutrient composition of your soil is at the right levels. With the information from a soil test, you will be able to use the right amendments to boost the health of your soil. Using the right amendments saves you money, and prevents excess nutrient runoff into our stormwater, keeping our water bodies clean!

In specific target neighborhoods, soil testing is available for free through the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District. For other areas of Portland and Maine, soil testing is available at a low cost through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FAAYz-ihnI

[1] Portland Press Herald, “The Night Portland Burned,” (http://specialprojects.pressherald.com/portlands-great-fire/)