Prepare to eat and enjoy! For more information • Always wash or rinse fruits and For general gardening information: vegetables before eating them. Cornell Cooperative Extension • If you are concerned about chemicals in www.cce.cornell.edu/Pages/Default.aspx the soil, peel below-ground vegetables Cornell University’s Gardening Resources (such as carrots and potatoes) and those www.gardening.cornell.edu/ grown in close contact with soil (such as National Gardening Association cucumbers). www.garden.org/ • Remove outside leaves of leafy head vegetables (such as lettuce and cabbage) For more information about IPM that may have soil particles stuck to them. (Integrated Pest Management): www.nysipm.cornell.edu/

If you have specific questions about health issues related to gardening, call the New York State Department of Health at 518-402-7800 or toll-free at 800-458-1158 or e-mail: [email protected]

For analysis of soils for harmful chemicals, find a commercial laboratory certified for ‘solid and hazardous waste’ at the New York State Department of Health certification program’s web site: www.wadsworth.org/labcert/elap/elap.html

Another source for information about collecting and testing soil samples is the Cornell Waste Management Institute web site: http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/soilquality.htm

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets also has information on community and school gardens. If you are seeking space in an existing community garden, or are interested in starting a community garden in your neighborhood: http://www.agriculture.ny.gov/ If you are interested in school gardens: www.agriculture.ny.gov/f2s/resources.html

Follow us on: health.ny.gov State of New York Department of Health 1301 4/13 People grow their own fruits and Where’s the best location for my garden? vegetables in backyards, community There are many factors to consider. To start, vegetables grown in the soil and gardens or even in pots on rooftops you will want a sunny spot with good drainage. by accidentally swallowing or breathing in and window sills. The tips in this Look for an area that already has a lot of soil particles. brochure will help gardeners learn grasses and weeds. If you can, pick a garden space away from more about where to plant, how to Some areas may be a problem if they have roads and buildings, especially old buildings prepare new garden areas and how soil with harmful chemicals. Chemicals may be that could deposit lead paint chips and dust. to grow and harvest healthier fruits there naturally If you see signs of waste ash, oil or other waste and vegetables. or from past material, consider another location. Also, and present avoid flood-prone areas since some rivers land use. and streams can leave chemical-containing Gardening sediment on the land. Why garden? can increase If you think your garden area may contain There are many benefits to growing your your chance of high levels of chemicals, the only way to know own fruits and vegetables, such as being exposed for sure is to test the soil through a certified to these • More fresh and healthy food – fruits laboratory (see web sites at the end of this chemicals, and vegetables contain fiber, vitamins brochure). But this can be expensive and the particularly by and minerals and can reduce the risk of test results can be hard to interpret. It’s better eating fruits or stroke, diabetes, heart disease, obesity to avoid planting in those areas if possible. and some types of cancer • More control over whether chemicals are used to treat for pests and weeds How do I grow and harvest healthy fruits and vegetables? • More exercise Maintain good soil. • Wear gloves when working in the garden and and a chance • Each year, add aged compost or manure to avoid bringing soil inside the house. Brush off to connect enrich the soil. Also, check your soil pH – the your clothes and remove shoes and gloves. with nature ideal range varies from plant to plant. If your • Wash up with soap and water after • Less need soil is too acidic, increase the pH by adding gardening or any time before you eat. to transport lime, available from your local gardening • Keep an eye on little ones to make sure food from supply store. Rich soil with proper pH levels they do not eat soil or put dirty toys or other distant farms can make it less likely that the plants will take objects in their mouths. Young children can • Lower up harmful chemicals. be more sensitive to certain chemicals in soil, fruit and • Mulch the soil. Mulch maintains soil moisture such as lead. vegetable and controls weeds. It also reduces soil • If you are having problems with pests, try bills at the splash on vegetables during rain or watering, using an “Integrated Pest Management” grocery store which can reduce your exposure to chemicals (IPM) approach (see the web address listed in soil. on the back of this brochure). If you do use Follow these planting and gardening tips. pesticides, carefully read and follow all label • If you are concerned about chemicals in the instructions. soil, consider growing vegetables in raised • And remember, if you plan to be outside for beds with clean soil (at least ten inches more than 10-15 minutes, apply sunscreen deep). Use untreated wood to make the or wear protective clothes (for example, beds. Pressure-treated wood and railroad long sleeve shirt, long pants and a wide ties contain added chemicals. brimmed hat).