Urgent health warning for gardeners using potting mix (2024)

FAQs

What are the warnings about potting soil? ›

Potting mix is known to carry harmful bacteria and fungi. And there have been reports of deaths from diseases, such as the Legionnaires' disease (a lung infection), that have been attributed to bacteria in potting mix. Many bacteria and fungi that can cause infections in people live in soil and water.

Legionnaires' disease is a form of pneumonia (lung infection). Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, fever and headache.

Can You Use Garden Soil as a Substitute for Potting Soil or Vice-versa? Yes, you could use either garden soil or potting soil to grow outdoor plants. However, potting soil is a better choice as a growing medium as it's specifically created to support plant growth.

The risk to most people of becoming infected with any of these bacterial or fungal diseases is very low. Disease is more likely to be a risk when the micro-organisms are present in very high numbers. Bacteria or fungi also need to be introduced into our bodies to cause disease.

Use potting soil for growing plants in containers or starting seeds, but not for flower beds or raised beds. It's too expensive for large areas and lacks nutrients to feed plants season after season.

Legionnaires' disease symptoms are similar to other types of pneumonia and it often looks the same on a chest x-ray. Legionnaires' disease can also be associated with other symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and confusion. Symptoms usually begin 2 to 14 days after being exposed to the bacteria, but it can take longer.

Mold produces spores, which then become airborne and trigger symptoms. ✓ Wear a mask when raking leaves or mowing the lawn. ✓ Wear a mask and wash your hands after working with plants or soil. ✓ Mold growth increases after rain and in high humidity, so try to avoid being outside on those days.

Can you smell Legionella? Yes, it's possible to Smell legionella. Your water may have a distinct "rotten egg" or sulfur smell when it's contaminated.

People can get Legionnaires' Disease by inhaling dust from soil, compost, potting mix, or mists or sprays (aerosols) from a water source that contains legionella bacteria.

What diseases can you get from gardening? ›

If there has been extensive soil contact, then sporotrichosis is a diagnostic possibility. If piles of stacked or old moldy wood have been moved in association with gardening, then blastomycosis and histoplasmosis become additional possibilities.

There are two types to which gardeners may be exposed: Legionella longbeachae, occuring in soil and compost, which can lead to a respiratory disease; and the more common L. pneumonophila, which leads to a type of pneumonia known as legionnaires disease.

To grow a successful container vegetable garden, start with great soil—not soil from your yard, but what's known as a potting mix. These mixes, like Miracle-Gro® Potting Soil, contain the right blend of materials like coir, peat moss and/or compost to create an ideal growing environment for roots inside a pot.

It's a combination of peat, vermiculite and composted matter. If your plants did well last year and weren't showing any signs of disease, go ahead and reuse it this season.” Even though the potting soil still looks good, gardeners may have to amend the potting medium for optimal results.

Chemicals found in synthetic fertilizers are known to affect human lungs, urinary systems, and more. The primary ingredients in synthetic fertilizers like Miracle-Gro are urea nitrogen and ammonium sulfate. When exposed to the air, these compounds can create a greenhouse gas that damages human lungs.

Potting soil usually contains a combination of Canadian sphagnum peat moss, composted or aged bark, compost, earthworm castings, horticultural grade perlite, pumice or cinders and controlled-release fertilizer, according to Cunningham.

Apparent discolorations in soil and strong odors are other indications that the soil may be hazardous. Another possible clue of contamination may be if vegetation fails to thrive in a certain area of soil, although this depends on the vegetation and whether the soil's natural content is hospitable to such growth.