TOPSOIL

Soil contamination ?

There are a few things to avoid when you are buying soil. Possible soil contamination is one major factor that you should be aware of when you are looking to buy.
The soil origin gives you some indication of what might be in the topsoil.
The smell of the soil can also be a give away, this is something you can check yourself on delivery.
Also reading the soil report can be a great help and this will be covered on a separate page “ reading soil reports."
Many topsoils that can be found in the UK may have been harvested from commercial areas where contamination from motor vehicles in the form of hydro carbons, maybe present. This is a common problem today when different soils are mixed and cross contamination can occur. Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons or PAH as it is known is a level which you should be aware of. When looking at the report for your topsoil look for the lead reading and the for the PAH reading, if one is high then the other usually will be to.
Contaminated soil can have an adverse affect on your garden and that plants that you have placed. So do take the time to investigate where your soil has come from and what the constituents of the topsoil are, this will save you having to dig up your garden and all your hard work at the same time.
Other contaminants that you should look for are highlighted on the soil analysis sheet, so take the time to look through it and educate yourself to what you are buying and using, it does not take that much time and will give you a much better understanding of what you are buying.

If you wish to remove contaminated soil please click on the link.