Does anyone have any suggestions? We have just had soil which has been farmed "organically" for several years tested and found to our horror that it is contaminated with heavy metals: lead, cadmium, copper, you name it...Should we just get rid of a massive amount of soil or is there a method of dealing with this.
Many thanks
Karen B.

Hard one! All soil contains traces of lead, copper and similar "metals" since plants require them for nutrient intake. It all depends on "how much" and I suppose that you did obtain an analysis?

Sadly, if the analysis is negative in terms of allowables, your only option is to use raised beds containing fresh soil.

Remediation using compost, mulch, neutralizers is another option but that will take time. This is where you want to work with your local extention, invariably a great source of info that applies to your locale.

I have no idea whether or not this answer is of any use to you, sorry.

John from www.ecologicalsgardens.com

Karen , contact me with your test results and I will set you up with a phytoremediation program.

Many thanks for the above suggestions. Since receiving these I have been searching phytoremediation stories on the internet with mixed results. We will explore this option further, though it appears success is more likely in low to moderate contamination cases whereas I think we fit into the high category. I will keep the forum up to date with what happens.
KarenB

i would go with the phytoremediation method to remove the toxic metals.