Should I use this soil?

[Maryw]

Hello, hoping someone can advise me please. We are renovating our house in France and am taking up the flagstones from the ground floor which sit on earth, we need to dig down and remove some of the earth. I am making new raised beds in the garden (for my potatoes next year) and the questions are:

1. Even though the earth is over 200 years old and has not seen the light of day since then, can I, or should I, use it?

2. If yes, I was intending to add some well rotted horse manure and cover until spring, would this be okay?

3. If no, do you think it would be okay to spread around the old orchard where I cut all the brambles down and sprinkle grass seeds?

Many many thanks, Mary

[dim]

if you have lots of this soil, have it tested in a laboratory .... that would be the safest bet

[marchogaeth]

Well, even though the flags have probably been washed lots of times over the years with who knows what, they will also have had lots of water on them as well so I would say it should be fine. If you think about it, the soil in the garden could ahve has far worse stuff put on it in the name of gardening.

Why don't you put some in a couple of pots and stick some runner beans in and see how they grow? If it's toxic you'll soon know about it! You could store it in piles until then.

I think trying to test for all possible problems couls be a bit tricky. I'll be interested to see what other replies you get.

[Two_Sheds]

1. Even though the earth is over 200 years old

200 MILLION years old, and more ...

have it tested in a laboratory .... that would be the safest bet

er, why?


I'd have no qualms about using the soil on the garden, none at all.

[rustylady]

It's basically the same soil as the rest of your garden so I can see no reason not to use it.

[Maryw]

It's basically the same soil as the rest of your garden so I can see no reason not to use it.

Wonderful, many thanks all, we were just worried as it has not seen the light of day for many years that it wouldn't be very productive even with adding the manure. Just have to dig it all out now

Many thanks, Mary