Contaminated Garden Soil in Vic: Are You a Victim?

Young gardener on 17/08/2021 - 14:14
Last edited 17/08/2021 - 15:37 by 1 other user

Hi all, it was a massive disaster last year when we have started gardening in the new property last year.

We have ordered a couple of cube premium garden soil to fill in raised garden beds and planted many veges. Initially they showed a slow growth followed by curling of leaves and plant dying. We then spent a fair bit of money on adding fertiliser, Seasol, Dynamic Lifter and planted many times until noticed the ABC news about herbicide contamination in Victorian garden soil supplied during 2020.

We then called our local landscape supplier and explained the situation. They already aware of this issue and provided me the refund. However, they haven’t taken the soil back and I had to spent a fortune to dispose it off.

I wish to start this thread by discussing, if you are in Victoria and bought the soil last year, did you have this issue?

I am still concerned to buy the soil as I am not sure about the quality of current supply. Alternatively, I am thinking of buying premium soil in bags and fill the raised garden beds.

Your thoughts are welcome

Home & Garden

Comments

  • c64 on 17/08/2021 - 14:24
    -2

    nice raised beds in the abc story. i've got crappy home-made corrugated iron beds

  • Cheaplikethebird on 17/08/2021 - 15:16
    +1

    I just recently filled a 500L raised bed for ~$200. 2 parts 'premium compost', 2 parts coco coir, 1 part perlite.

    I bought the compost and perlite from a company called Garden World Nursey which has a flat rate $15 delivery fee to Melbourne metro area. Different brands of compost than the ones at Bunnings and cheaper shipping.

    • Drakesy on 17/08/2021 - 17:57
      -4

      OK

      • Cheaplikethebird on 18/08/2021 - 07:14
        +1

        Helpful info if you’re in lockdown in Melbourne without a Bunnings in your 5km…

    • Young gardener on 18/08/2021 - 07:49

      I’m thinking of buying Aldi premium potting mix for $3.99 per 22 l in the next catalogue. That works out cheaper I guess.

  • Muzeeb on 17/08/2021 - 15:23
    -5

    Username checks out

  • Catullus on 17/08/2021 - 16:45
    -1

    Check the pH first, Bunnings kit, do several tests.

  • Drakesy on 17/08/2021 - 17:59
    +1

    Just go through a different provider. From memory it was just suez's mulch/soil that was contaminated, not across the board.

    Should be fine, i believe they've recalled most of the contaminated bags.

  • popsiee on 17/08/2021 - 18:08
    +1

    The EPA said: "There could have been an issue with product control either from the original supplier or during mixing at the shop, though it is not possible to conclusively prove that."

    Be happy with what you got they could have argued its not their responsibility .

  • Blue Cat on 17/08/2021 - 18:39

    Honestly, I would be pretty happy with just a refund - any other supplier would have just said "not my problem lol" and ignored you.

  • ihbh on 17/08/2021 - 19:34
    +1

    If you want to be absolutely sure, make your own hot compost - browns from fallen leaves in parks (you might have missed this year's supply) combined with greens (kitchen waste, coffee grounds, grass clippings, hedged leaves) and moisture.

    I've built my own and progressively getting there - I have many garden beds.

  • lgacb08 on 17/08/2021 - 21:28

    Where about are you located, i bought a few cubic last year around July last year and they seemed to do fine. Just bought another load last weekend and now realised I've ober ordered, now trying to get rid of sime clay soil to filk them in

    • Young gardener on 17/08/2021 - 21:40

      Thanks. I’m in Wantirna. Bought the soil in a landscape supply in Bayswater north. May I know where did you get your soil from?

      • lgacb08 on 17/08/2021 - 21:50

        I'm in the west, bought from Deer Park garden supplies. Previously I got from Soil Worx but they were plagued with weed (catnip still pop up every now and then). If you're too worried just buy ingredients and mix it yourself. The problem seemed to be compost only so just get it somewhere and mix up with the rest like cheaplikethebird said.

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