Soil Sample Testing - Ask Extension
My church has raised vegetable beds in the parking lot. Last year they did not produce as well and we are afraid that the salt they have put in the ...
Knowledgebase
Soil Sample Testing #865855
Asked April 25, 2024, 10:48 AM EDT
My church has raised vegetable beds in the parking lot. Last year they did not produce as well and we are afraid that the salt they have put in the parking lot has contaminated the soil. Will a standard soil test determine if there is a salt contamination? Thank you.
Oakland County Michigan
Expert Response
A standard soil test won't indicate salt contamination. It may be a good idea to have it tested regardless to check if some of the nutrient levels are low, or in some cases, too high. You can water the beds heavily several times and it will help wash the salts out of the soil. Often, if there is an issue with deicing salts, you will see a white film on top of the soil, or built up salt crystals.
https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/impact-of-salts-on-plants-how-to-reduce-plant-injury-from-winter-salt
https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/impact-of-salts-on-plants-how-to-reduce-plant-injury-from-winter-salt
