Archived Gardening Message Boards
Topic: Landscaping & Garden Care
<< Back to message boards home
<< Back to
Landscaping & Garden Care
View Thread:
soil with coal
soil with coal
Posted by Terri Daniel-Chumbley M.D. (chumbley1@charter.net)
from ky
on 2002-03-15 13:29:47
-
Soil with coal
Quoting Terri Daniel-Chumbley M.D.: ------------
Posted by Newt from Maryland zone 7 on 2002-03-31 17:01:52
-i have several areas in our yard that apparently were used by the previous owner to pile coal. Only bits of coal are apparent now but nothing includung grass will thrive . What do I need to do to the soil to correct it so that I can have grass or floweres?
I found this to be a very interesting question and did a search on Google for "coal composition". Here is one of the links that I was given. Some important things here to think about as pertains to toxins and heavy metals in the coal that are probably in the soil now.
http://p2.utep.edu/hubs/documents/electric_coalcomposition.htm
I have three recommendations.
First, I would suggest that you contact your local extension service. They might have some recommendations on what to do. I would think that you would have to sift the coal out of the soil, dispose of properly, again getting advice from the extension service. You would still be left with a lot of heavy metals in the soil. I definately would NOT grow any edibles in those areas.
Second, I would post this question on The Garden Web. It's a WONDERFUL site with some very knowledgeable people. I am including a link to their main forums page. I would recommend that you post this on their 'Soil, Compost and Mulch' forum. I am including the link here.
Third, I would have a soil test done to see what the current composition of the soil is. That will tell you what amendments you will need to add to the soil. I would not use one of the home kits, but would use the extension service to do a complete analysis.
Good luck,
Newt -
Coal in the soil
While the presence of coal may be an indication of one of the problems its not the real problem. Start with a soil test that includes the level of humus, or organic matter, and work from there. But I'd bet the major problem is simply a lack of organic matter or possibly a really compacted soil that plant roots won't even try to move into, and organic matter will loosen that so they will.
Posted by Kimm from 4a/5b-MI on 2002-03-21 07:24:07
