Crops after Flooding

[Remus]

Hi All
Am looking to see if any of you have suffered the same problem and have found an answer ?
I have a market garden in Kent

During the early hours of Monday 30th September The river over topped causing flooding to my main Vegetable growing field of about 2.5 acres. When day light came we had 5ft of water, therefore I lost all my Autumn and Winter crops. We have had some flooding over the years but this time part of an inner defence which had been repaired by the local drainage board 3 years ago gave way letting a lot more water in.

My current problem is what contamination has been caused to my growing area and if and when it will be safe to grow crops for human consumption.
I have taken samples of the flood water together with soil samples from the surface and down to a spade depth.

Having spoken to two soil test labs they have both gave me the same advice to contact the EA to find out what was likely to be in the water/soil and what tests should be carried out.

I contacted the EA but with very little help. there lab said

I understand you are looking to get some analysis work done on samples taken from your land after a flood. I’m sorry to say that we are not currently offering analytical services to the general public. .

So as you can see the weeks go by and I am still not able to make any plans for next season.

One of the soil labs I contacted are not able to do testing for contamination and the other who was helpful to start with does not answer any of my enquiries now.

I sent an email to ADAS the other day to see if they had any advice but as yet no reply.
Any thought would be welcome

 

[Chae1]

We had a river flood over about 70 acres a few years ago.

All bare stubble, no problems with following crops.

Are you looking to make a claim?

 

[Shughie McFee]

Hi All
Am looking to see if any of you have suffered the same problem and have found an answer ?
I have a market garden in Kent

During the early hours of Monday 30th September The river over topped causing flooding to my main Vegetable growing field of about 2.5 acres. When day light came we had 5ft of water, therefore I lost all my Autumn and Winter crops. We have had some flooding over the years but this time part of an inner defence which had been repaired by the local drainage board 3 years ago gave way letting a lot more water in.

My current problem is what contamination has been caused to my growing area and if and when it will be safe to grow crops for human consumption.
I have taken samples of the flood water together with soil samples from the surface and down to a spade depth.

Having spoken to two soil test labs they have both gave me the same advice to contact the EA to find out what was likely to be in the water/soil and what tests should be carried out.

I contacted the EA but with very little help. there lab said

I understand you are looking to get some analysis work done on samples taken from your land after a flood. I’m sorry to say that we are not currently offering analytical services to the general public. .

So as you can see the weeks go by and I am still not able to make any plans for next season.

One of the soil labs I contacted are not able to do testing for contamination and the other who was helpful to start with does not answer any of my enquiries now.

I sent an email to ADAS the other day to see if they had any advice but as yet no reply.
Any thought would be welcome

sorry to hear this. market gardening is hard work at the best of times. presumably your crops aren't insured ?

 

[GeorgeK]

See if a firm supplying biosolids would test it? They test for heavy metals and pathogens, the most likely issues. Flooded businesses, houses and gardens don't get the full decontamination works so can't be that bad.
Although it would be interesting to know, make sure you post the results if you have any tests done!

 

[averageguy54]

On my side of the pond, every spring the St. John River floods its banks and covers hundreds of acres of farm land, much of which is used to grow crops for human consumption.These growers plant as soon as they are able to get on the land after the flood recedes.

Whatever pathogens might be around are water-born so most of it will leave with the water. The residue left behind will be washed off when you pick your vegetables and get them ready forf market. If you are overly concerned then give them an extra wash.

 

[Tarw Coch]

It was allways said that river/flood ground was the best because of the silt deposited over the years.
I very much doubt there will have been anything in the flood water to the long term detriment of the land or the crops it produces, the damage will be to anything that is currently growing

 

[Kidds]

I would assume slurry was in there at best. Iirc after slurry spreading you shouldn’t grow edible crops for 12 months, most particularly ones you would expect to be eaten uncooked. So lettuce and salads are out, maybe leeks potatoes etc not so bad.
The risk is passing on E.coli, salmonella etc and people dying from it. Not a chance I would take.

Look up slurry spreading and edible crops, I’m sure it was NFU advice.
I doubt this was the answer you were after. Sorry

 

[Kidds]

https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/media/document/manuresguidance%20(1).pdf

 

[BAC]

Send a sample off to NRM for regulatory samples. They are about £100 a sample though

 

[DanniAgro]

Doesn't natural UV destroy any germs after a week or so, if you're worried about things like faecal contaminants? It's used in Koi pond filters to clean up the water. Then if you just plough it all other contaminants should be dispersed.
If you are still concerned, and a NFU member, contact other growers who've had the same experience through them to ask what they did.

 

[Remus]

Hi All
Many thanks for the posts
To answer a few

No not insured
Not a member of the NFU
Am still trying to get hole filled in but Drainage Board are saying no money.
Have looked up Biosolids which then made me think about Souther Water and have found a lab they use, so will contact them also will try NRM
We are on the tidal part of the river so anything could have been in the water.

I will keep you all updated

 

[digger64]

Hi All
Many thanks for the posts
To answer a few

No not insured
Not a member of the NFU
Am still trying to get hole filled in but Drainage Board are saying no money.
Have looked up Biosolids which then made me think about Souther Water and have found a lab they use, so will contact them also will try NRM
We are on the tidal part of the river so anything could have been in the water.

I will keep you all updated

If the river is tidal I think saltwater could be your biggest issue , hopefully you haven't though .

 

[deleted user 837354]

Ring Yara Lancrop labs tomorrow and ask for advice on what to test, I would do heavy metals and there are some other veg orientated tests to check soil health.

My money says it will be fine because a huge volume of water will dilute most of it. Till the dirt and it will come back to life.

 

[Kidds]

Ring Yara Lancrop labs tomorrow and ask for advice on what to test, I would do heavy metals and there are some other veg orientated tests to check soil health.

My money says it will be fine because a huge volume of water will dilute most of it. Till the dirt and it will come back to life.

I wouldn’t bother. It is the introduction of pathogens (salmonella etc) that are the potential problem not heavy metals.

 

[Bogweevil]

Sewage contamination is potentially a serious issue for crops consumed uncooked, so perhaps avoid salads, herbs and strawbs on flooded area?

 

[deleted user 837354]

I wouldn’t bother. It is the introduction of pathogens (salmonella etc) that are the potential problem not heavy metals.

They can do microbiology on request.