Growing Together: Open Forum

Hi everybody,

I teach at a high school in Miami, FL, where we have been growing a garden for many years. This year our administration decided to revamp our land lab and moved our garden beds to another side of the land lab.  Unfortunately they did not move the soil I have been nurturing for all these years, nstead, they brought in soil from a donor that I know nothing about.

I am concerned about growing food in that soil next school year because since the three months the soil is there, no weeds have grown and there is no sign of life besides fire ants. In my previous soil, in a couple of days all sort of plants would grow, a healthy sign in my opinion.

I would like to have that soil tested before the start of the next school year, does anybody know of a place I can send samples to? I would like to know about any pesticide residue and contaminants if possible.

Thanks everyone!

Cecilia

Cecilia,

I would start by checking with your county extension office https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/ Sometimes, extension offices offer free soil testing. If your local office doesn't offer that service, they should be able to tell you where you can get testing done. Your local soil and water conservation district may also be of assistance: https://www.afcd.us/districts

Hi everybody,

I teach at a high school in Miami, FL, where we have been growing a garden for many years. This year our administration decided to revamp our land lab and moved our garden beds to another side of the land lab.  Unfortunately they did not move the soil I have been nurturing for all these years, nstead, they brought in soil from a donor that I know nothing about.

I am concerned about growing food in that soil next school year because since the three months the soil is there, no weeds have grown and there is no sign of life besides fire ants. In my previous soil, in a couple of days all sort of plants would grow, a healthy sign in my opinion.

I would like to have that soil tested before the start of the next school year, does anybody know of a place I can send samples to? I would like to know about any pesticide residue and contaminants if possible.

Thanks everyone!

Cecilia

Hi everybody,

I teach at a high school in Miami, FL, where we have been growing a garden for many years. This year our administration decided to revamp our land lab and moved our garden beds to another side of the land lab.  Unfortunately they did not move the soil I have been nurturing for all these years, nstead, they brought in soil from a donor that I know nothing about.

I am concerned about growing food in that soil next school year because since the three months the soil is there, no weeds have grown and there is no sign of life besides fire ants. In my previous soil, in a couple of days all sort of plants would grow, a healthy sign in my opinion.

I would like to have that soil tested before the start of the next school year, does anybody know of a place I can send samples to? I would like to know about any pesticide residue and contaminants if possible.

Thanks everyone!

Cecilia

Hi everybody,

I teach at a high school in Miami, FL, where we have been growing a garden for many years. This year our administration decided to revamp our land lab and moved our garden beds to another side of the land lab.  Unfortunately they did not move the soil I have been nurturing for all these years, nstead, they brought in soil from a donor that I know nothing about.

I am concerned about growing food in that soil next school year because since the three months the soil is there, no weeds have grown and there is no sign of life besides fire ants. In my previous soil, in a couple of days all sort of plants would grow, a healthy sign in my opinion.

I would like to have that soil tested before the start of the next school year, does anybody know of a place I can send samples to? I would like to know about any pesticide residue and contaminants if possible.

Thanks everyone!

Cecilia

Hi everybody,

I teach at a high school in Miami, FL, where we have been growing a garden for many years. This year our administration decided to revamp our land lab and moved our garden beds to another side of the land lab.  Unfortunately they did not move the soil I have been nurturing for all these years, nstead, they brought in soil from a donor that I know nothing about.

I am concerned about growing food in that soil next school year because since the three months the soil is there, no weeds have grown and there is no sign of life besides fire ants. In my previous soil, in a couple of days all sort of plants would grow, a healthy sign in my opinion.

I would like to have that soil tested before the start of the next school year, does anybody know of a place I can send samples to? I would like to know about any pesticide residue and contaminants if possible.

Thanks everyone!

Cecilia

I've actually had a pretty underwhelming experience with soil testing through a local service recently. The turnaround time was way longer than expected, and the report I got back was super basic - didn't offer much insight beyond pH and a couple nutrient levels.

I was hoping for something more actionable, especially since I'm working with kids and wanted to tie it into a learning activity. It ended up being more confusing than helpful, which was a bit disappointing.

If anyone has recommendations for services that offer more detailed results (and explain them in a way that's easy to understand), I'd really appreciate it. Just didn't feel like I got much value out of this round.

Hi everybody,

I teach at a high school in Miami, FL, where we have been growing a garden for many years. This year our administration decided to revamp our land lab and moved our garden beds to another side of the land lab.  Unfortunately they did not move the soil I have been nurturing for all these years, nstead, they brought in soil from a donor that I know nothing about.

I am concerned about growing food in that soil next school year because since the three months the soil is there, no weeds have grown and there is no sign of life besides fire ants. In my previous soil, in a couple of days all sort of plants would grow, a healthy sign in my opinion.

I would like to have that soil tested before the start of the next school year, does anybody know of a place I can send samples to? I would like to know about any pesticide residue and contaminants if possible.

Thanks everyone!

Cecilia

I've actually had a pretty underwhelming experience with soil testing through a local service recently. The turnaround time was way longer than expected, and the report I got back was super basic - didn't offer much insight beyond pH and a couple nutrient levels.

I was hoping for something more actionable, especially since I'm working with kids and wanted to tie it into a learning activity. It ended up being more confusing than helpful, which was a bit disappointing.

If anyone has recommendations for services that offer more detailed results (and explain them in a way that's easy to understand), I'd really appreciate it. Just didn't feel like I got much value out of this round.

Hi everybody,

I teach at a high school in Miami, FL, where we have been growing a garden for many years. This year our administration decided to revamp our land lab and moved our garden beds to another side of the land lab.  Unfortunately they did not move the soil I have been nurturing for all these years, nstead, they brought in soil from a donor that I know nothing about.

I am concerned about growing food in that soil next school year because since the three months the soil is there, no weeds have grown and there is no sign of life besides fire ants. In my previous soil, in a couple of days all sort of plants would grow, a healthy sign in my opinion.

I would like to have that soil tested before the start of the next school year, does anybody know of a place I can send samples to? I would like to know about any pesticide residue and contaminants if possible.

Thanks everyone!

Cecilia

Hi everybody,

I teach at a high school in Miami, FL, where we have been growing a garden for many years. This year our administration decided to revamp our land lab and moved our garden beds to another side of the land lab.  Unfortunately they did not move the soil I have been nurturing for all these years, nstead, they brought in soil from a donor that I know nothing about.

I am concerned about growing food in that soil next school year because since the three months the soil is there, no weeds have grown and there is no sign of life besides fire ants. In my previous soil, in a couple of days all sort of plants would grow, a healthy sign in my opinion.

I would like to have that soil tested before the start of the next school year, does anybody know of a place I can send samples to? I would like to know about any pesticide residue and contaminants if possible.

Thanks everyone!

Cecilia