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soil

Plastic in soil

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posted 4 months ago

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Hi! I left probably 30 bags of Happy Frog with the old soil in them for about 3 years in the sun. The plastic degraded and broke off in many very small pieces and now I want to put raised beds all over. Is there any way to remediate this situation? Is it possible zeolite or something else could help?

Anne Miller

master steward

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Location: USDA Zone 8a

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posted 4 months ago

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Welcome to the forum!

Maybe sift the plastic out? Then plant mushrooms.

Not much will remediate plastic except meal worms:

https://permies.com/t/103412/Superworms-bioremediation-polystyrene-ideas-extending

https://permies.com/t/272434/composting/Plastic-agnostic-composting-Bio-degradation

Invasive plants are Earth's way of insisting we notice her medicines. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Everyone learns what works by learning what doesn't work. Stephen Herrod Buhner

Nancy Reading

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posted 4 months ago

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Welcome to permies Nicole! I'm not sure what happy frog is, but I've had the same thing happen with bulk bags that I used as a temporary compost bin (lesson learnt there!)
Ary had a similar issue here: https://permies.com/t/207966/Shattered-Plastics-Soil and there are various suggestions given for cleaning up the soil and separating out the plastic. I think removing as much as you can will be a worthwhile first step.

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My projects on Skye: The tree field, Growing and landracing, perennial polycultures, "Don't dream it - be it! "

C. Letellier

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posted 4 months ago

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Does this particular plastic float? Some do.

Country oriented nerd with primary interests in alternate energy in particular solar. Dabble in gardening, trees, cob, soil building and a host of others.

Olivia Nicole

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posted 4 months ago

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Thank you for the replies. I am trying to remove what I can. I think this plastic would float but it is too much soil to put in tubs to try to get the plastic out that way.

What's that smell? I think this tiny ad may have stepped in something.

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