Hume and Whittlesea gardeners are encouraged to take advantage of Environment Protection Authority [EPA] Victoria’s new soil screening service GardenSafe.
Through the service, gardeners can post a soil sample from their home garden to EPA to receive data on what is within the dirt.
EPA chief environmental scientist Professor Mark Patrick Taylor said GardenSafe is a way to dig a little deeper into your soil.
“If you are growing fruit and vegetables at home, you should use GardenSafe to check what is under the surface of your seedlings,” he said.
“Our scientists assess each sample they get for trace elements and general soil quality indicators, including soil texture, composition, nutrients and organic carbon.
“As a science-based regulator, we need this data.”
GardenSafe data will not be used for EPA compliance or enforcement activities.
Victorians can send the GardenSafe team three soil samples from their gardens.
Samples sent must be from a residential property.
Details: www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/get-involved/citizen-science-program/gardensafe
