Backyard Garden Pollution

Especially if you live in an urban area, be aware that there might be lead present in the soil around your house - which makes eating your home-grown veggies risky.

This kind of pollution is primarily widespread  

Backyard Garden Sunset
Originally uploaded by RevrendMaynard

• around old homes - flakes of previously used lead paints
  
• near busy roads - remnants of leaded gasoline
• around suburban homes, built near apple orchards - lead arsenate used to be a regular pesticide

Your  best bet to avoid the pollutants and still enjoy all the benefits of home grown food crops is to build a raised bed, filled with
organic topsoil - or use planters.

In case you're determined to stick with your native earth, have it tested (look under "laboratories" in your phone book or pick up a home test kit which is less reliable but cheaper solution).

It's also good to know that

• corn
  
• squash
  
• peas and
  
• tomatoes

are known to have a reduced lead uptake.


Sources:
Mercola
The Boston Globe