If you love the feel of dirt under your fingernails and envision a backyard brimming with juicy tomatoes and fragrant herbs, this might feel like a punch to the gut — but it’s something every gardener in the Carolinas needs to know. Recent soil testing and scientific studies have shown that lead contamination in soil isn’t just an old urban myth; it’s a real issue with serious health consequences if ignored.
Whether you plant in a community plot, your backyard, or vegetable beds near old houses or roads, knowing what’s in your soil matters far more than you might think. Lead doesn’t disappear on its own, and it doesn’t respect property lines — it sticks around, accumulates, and can even show up in the produce you eat if you aren’t careful.
