I had an aluminum patio cover built in our back yard and the builders had to cut the aluminum on site during construction. When they were finished I noticed the two areas where I plan on planting fruit trees had a visible (not heavy) amount of aluminum dust/saw shavings in the soil. Before planting should I remove some of the top soil or do anything else to de-contaminate the soil? This is the first time I will be planting in the soil since the house was built a little over three years ago. Some of the soil in our tract may have been transported in. I live in the San Joaquin Valley.
Aluminum shavings can have an impact on soil depending on the concentration and duration of exposure. Aluminum is naturally present in soil, but excessive amounts can be harmful to plants and soil organisms. High levels of aluminum can affect the pH of the soil, making it more acidic, which can inhibit plant growth. Additionally, aluminum toxicity can lead to nutrient imbalances and hinder root development.
I would definitely try and replace the top layer of the soil. This might negate some of the effects in the future. Here are some articles that will help you with building soil.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers
I did this without thinking ahead. I bought a hugee bag of Miracle Gro and put it in a watertight container in the greenhouse. I opened it 2 weeks later and there was mold or mildew growing throughout the container. I took it out of the greenhouse right away and have no intention of using that soil in the greenhouse now, but can I use that soil outside in my potting containers? Thanks in advance
This really depends on the kind of mold that is growing. Some of those can be beneficial to soil, whereas some can do some real damage to plants and animals. To be safe, I would re-compost, or discard completely.
Here are some articles that will offer more information that you will find useful:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers
I mixed a glassful of mir- lax and forgot to drink it
It can dry out or desiccate your plants, so it is best not to water with it.
I made a homemade weed killer of salt, vinegar and dishwashing liquid. I sprayed about 20 oz of this under a porch swing to kill the weeds and grass growing through the brick underneath. What I didn't pay attention to is my small scrub next to the swing and never thought this concoction would damage those roots. My question is how long does this stay in the soil, can I replant another bush or buy another one? Thanks in advance
Salt can be problematic in soil and I don't know how much was used. Salt will make soil inhabitable for plants. If your spray drained to the shrub, try to flush it with water and make sure it drains well to reduce the amount of salt. If it killed the shrub, you may need to plant a new one a short distance from where the concoction contacted the soil. Here is more:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/homemade-pet-friendly-weed-killer.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/reversing-soil-salinity.htm
My mom told me that everything she's ever planted in our soil, has died. Even a tree that we planted a few years ago is stunted in growth. So I decided to get our soil tested. Here are the results! Would you say the problem is from the lack of nitrogen and potassium? And if anyone has any recommendations for fertilizer that would be great! I am determined to rejuvenate this soil, as l'm looking to plant in the ground this year.
I see issues with nitrogen and potassium, for sure. What I see, as well, is extraordinary amounts of zinc and copper. There are many causes for this. Spraying copper pesticides, fresh manures that have been used up, bird or other animals feeds in the soil, and overall contamination can contribute to this.
Unfortunately, your best bet is to find your nearest extension service. They can help you to take core samples, which will let you know how far down you must till in to dilute these metals. This is really the only solution, since it can take around 300 years to break down in the soil. Dilution becomes the only way, besides complete soil replacement.
Once you retest the soil after turnover, you can see what needs to be added, then. The results should be very different.
This article will give you some more information about your local extension services:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/what-is-extension-service.htm
Treated shrubs with super thrive but it had no affect.
There must have been some drift onto the cherry laurel leaves. The product is systemic and moves through the plant leaves and stems down to the root. The product breaks down quickly in soils.
The best thing to do when you think you inadvertently sprayed a nearby desirable plant with herbicide is to quickly hose it off and continue to flush the plant. If just a few leaves are affected, you can quickly prune them off. Once the product dries on the leaves, there is little you can do to save the plant. If only a small amount drifted, the plants could recover slowly.
Here is more about herbicide injury:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/herbicide-plant-damage.htm
ons, yew shrubs planted near the house...concerned with over spraying and runoff the roof. "Moss Out" by Lilly Miller is the roof moss control.
In short, no. Not unless you take some precautions. I'd be very careful to spray at a time when it will not rain for several days, just to be safe. Keep from overspraying, and cover your shrubs if it is possible in your situation. If you can put tarps down underneath the spray area, it may help some.