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Soil Detox Contamination
 

Digging the soil out and hauling it off is not the answer. That just  moves the problem from point A to point B.

If your soil has been contaminated with heavy metals like arsenic and chromium in treated lumber or creosote in railroad ties, or with lead and arsenic from iron supplements, or if the contamination is from pesticides or petroleum spills, the solution is the same.

First, stop the contamination.

Second, apply the activated charcoal product from NORIT called GroSafe. It’s very fine-textured and must be mixed with water to apply. Since it is so hard to find, any activated charcoal at recommended rates is the next best alternative. Fine textured humates are the next best choice and zeolite can also be helpful at 40-50 lbs per 1000 sq ft.

The next step is to spay and drench the problem area with the Garrett Juice solution plus orange oil or d-limonene at 2 ounces per gallon of mix. Activated charcoal will tie up the contaminants; the Garrett Juice and orange oil stimulate the microbes to eat the contaminants. Liquid molasses is in the Garrett Juice mix but adding dry molasses to the soil at 10-20 lbs per 1000 sq ft will greatly help the decontamination process. Adding the microbe product called THRIVE will greatly speed up the process.


Question:  Should plants be removed (asparagus) before treating with the soil detox.  P.D., Grandbury.

Answer:  No - the liquids in my detox program function as excellent root stimulators.

Question: Twenty years ago, I built some raised beds and used old crossties for borders. I was an organic gardener, but I was ignorant about the chemicals with which the crossties were treated. I quit gardening 10 years ago, fell from grace on organic, and used chemical fertilizers on the yard. Now, I want to garden again, so I have dug up the crossties and hauled them away. How can I decontaminate the garden site? R.B., Marshall

Answer: The best product for cleaning the soil is GroSafe, an activated charcoal product from Norit. Zeolite is the second-best. Follow the label directions for Norit or hire an organic landscape contractor to apply it. Apply zeolite at a rate of about 40 to 50 pounds per 1,000 square feet and mix it with native soil and other amendments.


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