Lead in rhubarb? - Ask Extension
I had the soil in my alley garden tested last Fall. My plan is to grow flowers in this garden, but there is one clump of rhubarb growing. The lead was...
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Lead in rhubarb? #866188
Asked April 28, 2024, 5:29 PM EDT
I had the soil in my alley garden tested last Fall. My plan is to grow flowers in this garden, but there is one clump of rhubarb growing. The lead was 1245ppm. Do I need to worry about lead being taken up by the rhubarb, or about my grandchildren helping me in this garden given the lead? They are good handwashers :-) Thank you so much!
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
If your test is accurate, you should not be using the rhubarb, nor should your grandchildren be playing in that area. The EPA recommended cutoff for lead contamination in a vegetable garden is 400 ppm.
You should also mitigate spreading contamination into your home. Here is a good reference:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/lead-garden-soils/
I would recommend getting several soil tests done at various locations so you can determine the source of the contamination:
https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden
You should also mitigate spreading contamination into your home. Here is a good reference:
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/lead-garden-soils/
I would recommend getting several soil tests done at various locations so you can determine the source of the contamination:
https://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/testing-services/lawn-garden
