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Soil Detox for Contaminated Soil

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.

The next step is to drench the problem area with the Garrett Juice solution plus orange oil at 2 ounces or d-limonene 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 per 1000 sq ft will greatly help the decontamination process.

QUESTION: I’ve been using a chemical pesticide in my yard for two years, but I want to switch to nematodes. Would nematodes survive exposure to the chemical residue? F.G., Donna

ANSWER: Nematodes are pretty tough, but they will have a better chance if you follow my detoxification program or at least part of it.

First, stop using chemicals.

Second, apply Gro-Safe, an activated charcoal product by Norit. It has a very fine texture and must be mixed with water. Since it is hard to find in stores, any activated charcoal used at the recommended rate is a good alternative.

The next step is to drench the problem area with an enhanced Garrett Juice solution (add 2 ounces of orange oil or d-Limonene to each gallon of solution).

Activated charcoal will tie up contaminants in the soil. Garrett Juice and orange oil stimulate microbes in the soil to eat the contaminants. Garrett Juice contains liquid molasses, but adding dry molasses to the soil at a rate of 10 to 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet will help with decontamination.

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.