Asked April 16, 2024, 9:48 AM EDT
I have several questions about my home garden. I really enjoy gardening and am in my 40s, recently diagnosed with cancer and so safety has been in the forefront of my mind. My neighbor came over to my home, looked at my vegetable and berry garden, and said "I would never eat anything that comes out of this ground. Especially since you have cancer issues. It's in a runoff area." (My cancer started before I moved here). As you can see in the picture, my garden is located towards the bottom of a hill and would gather runoff from the yards above it with rains.
My questions are several:
1) Is my garden unsafe given its location - "in a runoff zone" of my neighbor's yard?
2) We collect roof runoff rain water in a barrel and have been using it for a couple years to water the plants. Is this safe? I have seen conflicting data. I am less worried about bacteria and more worried about carcinogens. I believe we have asphalt shingles.
3) In regards to safety only (not garden vigor), is there a type of mulch that should be avoided? I want to avoid CCA based mulch?
4) Given all this, should I test the soil for heavy metals or pesticides and if so, what testing would you recommend and by whom?
5) I also have a couple fruit trees beside the garden. I guess the same questions would apply to them.
Basically is it safe to eat food grown in my garden (fruit, berries, and vegetables)?
We're trying to do everything right, but cancer is no joke and it seems impossible to do in this day and age.
Thank you!
Nathan
Columbia, Howard County
Howard County Maryland