BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 1, 2021
There are a number of good reasons to have your soil tested before planting a garden. The results can give you an idea of the nutrients your soil contains and its level of acidity. One result you may not have thought about is the presence and amount of lead in your soil. Lead is a toxic heavy metal element. Lead is still used commercially, but is now highly regulated in consumer products in the United States and was banned entirely as a paint additive in 1978. But scientists warn it’s still out there in the ground, even here in Maine. A soil test costs $18 and can be conducted by the University of Maine’s soil testing service.