"Vermont's Flooded Gardens: Unsafe Veggies and Recovery Efforts"
After historic flooding in Vermont, home gardeners are advised to throw out edible leafy green crops, soft fruits, and berries that were touched by or under floodwaters due to potential contamination from industrial chemicals, petrochemicals, and sewage systems. Even root crops that survived the flood should not be consumed. Soil remediation is recommended, including testing for contamination, removing the top layer of soil, adding fresh compost and topsoil, and planting fall crops. Ornamentals, flowers, and shrubs may recover with proper oxygenation and organic matter. Flooded compost bins should be taken out of commission to avoid contamination.