A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2003 Coal in my soil

Hi folks!

I just ripped out an old garage in my yard and removed the cement it was sitting on. I want to put in a garden BUT...there is tons of old burnt coal from years ago littering the dead soil. I know I need top soil...BUT....

Does anyone know the effects on used coal on plants, flowers or food? How can I counteract the toxins..... any info is appreciated...

Nobody, knows??? There must be someone who has advice!???

Hello Stacey,
I don't think too many people on this forum have come across this delema (most of ours are bugs, critters, mold's, etc.) Someone else posted a question about it in another forum here and I don't think any one was able to answer it.)
my first thought if I were going to do it is two thoughts, 3 even maybe.
#1. I'd probly go to my local eo~operative extention and ask there, you never know.
#2. If I were serious about doing it, I probly would do a test run, throw some plants in and see what they do.
#3. If I were really serious and commented to using that spot I would get some kind of big sifter like they use for sifting dirt and literally square off easy to do segments.
I'm not a math major here but if it's 10 x 10 do 1ft by 1ft (Bob, you do the square root???????? I'm clueless here) sections and dig "x" amount of feet down and sift.......
Then amend that dirt with LOTS of compost, compost, compost~peatmoss, cow manure, etc. then switch over to the next 1ft x 1ft segment and do the same. Martha Stewart would probly do something like that just to double dig the plot when preparing a new bed.
This may take care of your coal problem, any feelings you may have on the "stuff" in your dirt.....?????????
Or maaybe not go through all that rigger~ma~role and just do some raised beds. Get some type of material high enough off the ground, bring in several loads of fresh top soil and amend with compost and such as above..???
Or but a great big pond liner over the top and build up the sides and make a big bog garden. plant plants that like wet feet and enjoy that type of gardening in that spot???Hope I've helped!!!
Weezie
:p

I did some research on this one, some said "Don't put coal ashes in your soil" but I found one website that said:

Clay soil can be improved by putting an inch or two of coarse sand, cinders or COAL ASHES.
That website is The Master Gardener
I hope that was a little helpful to you.

Alyssa,
The article was GREAT!!

But I have one thought,
it did not say whether or not it was
acceptable for eating later.....
I would reserve judgement on that until
I saw something in writing for actual
consumption of the food???
My motto is always better
to be safe than sorry!!!
For just regular flowers probly right!!!
Again, I would hunt down a master gardener in your area or somebody that runs an abroredum (bad spelling there) or one on t.v. even???????? Ya never know!!
Elliot Coleman, and/or Barbara Demeroush,
The Gardener Guy, Paul James., Rebbecca Kolls and Rebbecca Cole, Erica Glasner.......
Jerry Baker, Kathy Rhenwald?????????
Weezie

Thanks Alissa and weezie! I think I will patio stone the area as there is too much to take out. I will dig out the sides and put in hardy creaper and hostas...I'll let ya know the results,,, thanks for your help!

I read the following from a web site and thought it might be helpful to all gardeners:

"Differences in Ashes

If the ashes are from wood, they make an excellent addition for gardens because they are high in potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, and phosphorus. In areas where there is high rainfall, the soils there are typically high in acid. Wood ash can actually help decrease that acid level. Dry areas, however, tend to be more alkaline in nature. Wood ash in dry areas can exacerbate that problem. Since regions will vary, it's best to have your soil tested through a local extension agent or garden center to see if wood ash can be helpful to your soil prior to applying.

If the ashes are from burning coal, then you must be more aware of proper removal for many reasons. First, you will have much more ash to remove versus wood. Second, coal ash is not beneficial to a garden because its potassium and phosphorus content are very low compared to wood. Third, coal ash also contains a great deal of other elements, such as cobalt, boron, and arsenic among others, which are toxic to plants, animals, and people. You must be careful when burning coal because ash can trap unburned carbon which means that more unburned fuel is tossed away with coal ash versus wood. What else can you do with the ashes once removed from the appliance? In more rural areas, people will place them on their driveway to help overcome a slick surface during winter. With coal ashes, you may do the same, but coal ashes can affect springtime vegetation as it washes away during the late winter. After a period of time when you feel that there are no longer any potentially "live" coals, you should bag and dispose of coal ashes at a transfer station or the local landfill."

Here's the web site it came from:
http://hearth.com/what/ashremoval.html

As always, u can't believe everything u read on the net;so, imformation must be evaluated for it's genuineness,and accuracy!