Deleted
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Sept 29, 2024 22:28:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2016 18:00:39 GMT
Last Spring, I planted two small flower bushes by my mail box. A few months later, I came out and they were dead. I figured some unpleasant person or bored kids poured something on them. *sigh*
Being Spring planting season again, I went out today to dig the area up and when I got down about 6 inches, I was hit with the unmistakable smell of kerosene.
Grrr. Will anything ever be able to grow there again besides weeds and crabgrass?
L
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Post by Ramona on Apr 23, 2016 18:06:15 GMT
That is just horrible if someone poisoned your plants, could have been seriously dangerous! Sorry I don't know if plants will grow there.
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Post by freecharlie on Apr 23, 2016 18:12:12 GMT
Wtf? I can't believe someone would do that. What do they get out of it?
Do you have a land extension office in town? They will analyze the soil and tell you what to do if something can be done.
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,091
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Apr 23, 2016 18:36:27 GMT
I would dig out and replace the soil. Find a place to dispose of it properly. Petrochemicals can spread and contaminate more of your yard AND aquifers and streams. And if you had never planted there before or replaced something that died, you may want to have them check other areas of your property. I would not assume someone poured it there, especially since it was so far down.
Sorry that happened.
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Post by twistedscissors on Apr 23, 2016 19:32:18 GMT
Yes stuff will grow there. My ex poured kerosene on a yellow jacket nest in our strawberry bed and lit it on fire to kill the yellow jackets. Strawberries grew right back.
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Deleted
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Sept 29, 2024 22:28:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2016 19:42:38 GMT
If you didn't hit the kerosene until until you had dug 6 inches down it sounds like the kerosene may have been put down a long time ago. When your plants roots got deep enough they hit it instead of someone pouring it on them after you planted. If someone had poured it on them you would' have smelled when getting your mail without digging.
Can you tell how far down the contaminated soil is, and how far out it goes?
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raindancer
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,095 
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Post by raindancer on Apr 23, 2016 19:57:42 GMT
Last Spring, I planted two small flower bushes by my mail box. A few months later, I came out and they were dead. I figured some unpleasant person or bored kids poured something on them. *sigh* Being Spring planting season again, I went out today to dig the area up and when I got down about 6 inches, I was hit with the unmistakable smell of kerosene. Grrr. Will anything ever be able to grow there again besides weeds and crabgrass? L I would contact your local fire department and ask them how remediation works for a homeowner (businesses are a different situation). I don't know where you are, but a spill can get into water sources depending on how much was spilled there and how deep your water table is. In addition the soil needs to be removed of and disposed of properly. The last thing you want to be doing is digging in there right now, I urge you to contact a professional in your area for the safest way to handle this issue. |
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Deleted
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Sept 29, 2024 22:28:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2016 20:54:36 GMT
If you didn't hit the kerosene until until you had dug 6 inches down it sounds like the kerosene may have been put down a long time ago. When your plants roots got deep enough they hit it instead of someone pouring it on them after you planted. If someone had poured it on them you would' have smelled when getting your mail without digging. Can you tell how far down the contaminated soil is, and how far out it goes? That makes sense, Volt, except I've planted something there every year for 20 years and have never smelled kerosene. Also, last year was the only time the plants just up and died overnight. As for getting the mail, DH always gets the mail and his 'smeller' doesn't work, lol. I brought him a cup of the dirt this afternoon and he couldn't smell a thing.  It smelled really strong about 6 inches down. I went down about 10 and the smell was significantly weaker. So, I'd say it's mostly concentrated 5 - 8 inches down in an area about 1 ft or so in diameter. L |
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Deleted
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Sept 29, 2024 22:28:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2016 20:55:23 GMT
Last Spring, I planted two small flower bushes by my mail box. A few months later, I came out and they were dead. I figured some unpleasant person or bored kids poured something on them. *sigh* Being Spring planting season again, I went out today to dig the area up and when I got down about 6 inches, I was hit with the unmistakable smell of kerosene. Grrr. Will anything ever be able to grow there again besides weeds and crabgrass? L I would contact your local fire department and ask them how remediation works for a homeowner (businesses are a different situation). I don't know where you are, but a spill can get into water sources depending on how much was spilled there and how deep your water table is. In addition the soil needs to be removed of and disposed of properly. The last thing you want to be doing is digging in there right now, I urge you to contact a professional in your area for the safest way to handle this issue. I have a fire department about 1/2 mile down the road. I'll give them a call tomorrow. Thanks! L |
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Deleted
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Sept 29, 2024 22:28:19 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2016 3:45:40 GMT
Have you had your street repaved or chipped coated since last year? Or the cracks filled in.
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Post by redshoes on Apr 24, 2016 4:12:44 GMT
Any chance it could be a natural gas leak? Seems very odd....
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Post by librarylady on Apr 24, 2016 14:11:11 GMT
I suspect a gas leak since the odor is that deep in the soil.
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