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Old May 24, 2017   #36
KarenO
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Vancouver Island
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockporter View Post
Someone around here keeps saying to plant bean seeds and see what happens to them. If they die you know it's full of pesticide.
One of those "someone's " would be me .
Sowing a few bean seeds in a pint of any mix or manure or compost is a quick free test to check for the presence herbicides. It will not detect insecticide or pesticides.
If the plants emerge and appear normal all is well. If there is stunting, twisting, discolouration that would indicate the presence of herbicide such as glyphosate.

A well known plant virologist and scientist here taught me that and it is common practice for me . You should have your answer in a week or so. Whenever I buy soil mix or amendments I think it is easy to do and can avert a disaster to check before adding to your existing garden or pots. Ask for a small sample if buying in bulk or getting some from a farm. Special caution with horse manure as of the types I know I think it is the most likely to have herbicide contamination.

KarenO
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