Once your soil has been tested, it is important to be able to understand the results, and what it means for the type of vegetation you can safely grow. You may need to add compost or other amendments to grow a healthy soil. [Link “compost and amendments” to section 4.1; link “grow a healthy soil to section 4]. You may want to address any risks of contamination, by focusing on healthy gardening practices instead, that can be found in this section.
Title: Healthy Soils, Healthy Communities: Soil Testing
Organization: Cornell University
Description: Key resources include useful 6-page "Guide to Soil Testing and Interpreting Results."
Title: Healthy Gardening
Organization: Cornell University
Description: Page of multiple resources to help you understand your soil test results and steps to take if your soil is contaminated;
Title: Guide to Soil Testing and Interpreting Results
Organization: Cornell Waste Management Institute
Description: Complete guide to know when soil testing is helpful, how to take soil samples, and how to interpret the results. Lists the levels of heavy metals, including lead and arsenates.
Title: Soil Contaminants and Best Practices for Healthy Gardens
Organization: Cornell Waste Management Institute
Description: Offers useful information on the importance of understanding soil contaminants, including how plants can become contaminated and best practices to growing and maintaining healthy gardens.
For specific recommended actions on lead contaminated soils, you can also visit:
Title: Interpreting the Results of Soil Tests for Heavy Metals
Organization: University of Vermont Extension
Description: Offers specific recommended actions on lead contaminated soils. Lists the levels of heavy metals, including lead, in soil for which the EPA mandates cleanup and discusses best management practices for soils contaminated with heavy metals.
Please note: Lowest levels of heavy metals established by the NY Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) in the tables, correspond to "unrestricted use", which includes agricultural use.