vegetable garden

[paddy]

I am buying part of my neighbours' garden. It has been used as a dump for years and I will have to clear a lot of rubbish, including a few old cars and who knows what else. When I have got all the rubbish out, will it be safe to use it to grow vegetables or is it likely to be too polluted? I haven't grown many vegetables up to this and would be grateful for any suggestions.

[Neil Bromhall]

I would imagine that depends on what's been dumped on the site.
Vegetable matter no problem as this rots down but if chemicals, batteries, oil and asbestos for example these won't rot down and will cause you problems.
Maybe when you've removed the rubbish you can has the soil tested.
I don't think there is the risk that the vegetables will absorb the chemicals and pass them on to you which would be the case if it was radio active waste.
The chemicals will make the soil unpleasant for the plants to grow and may even prevent them from growing but I think the problem will be when you're working the soil as this is when any chemicals or gasses can get in to your body system.

[paddy]

thanks for the reply, Neil. Very helpful! I'll get a soil test done when I can see the soil to test it.
paddy

[Maire]

It'd be great to see some pics of the work in progress!

[paddy]

I know even less about photography than I do about gardening but I'll try! Sale hasn't closed yet so it's not mine - I just peer through the brambles and imagine how wonderful it will be