I'm concerned about my vegetable garden and a recent flood event.

Diggers Member:

I have a concern about my vegetable garden and a recent flood event.

I live on the edge of a small country town in central Victoria, not far from a creek.

We recently had a flood event. While the house was okay the vegetable beds were covered with flood waters. They were covered with flood waters for around 12 hours. 

I had a number of beetroot, parsnips, garlic and silver beet planted. Most survived.

My questions are as follows:

• Is it safe to eat the remaining vegetables? 
• Should they be pulled out and put in the compost? 
• Or can they be eaten after a period of time in the ground? 

 Diggers Hort Advisor:

I'm sorry to hear your garden was recently affected by flood water. 

It is a common issue at the moment that you raise so I have found some advice from the Victorian EPA regarding floods and food crop safety for you to have a look at and share with anyone you know who may have been affected.

I hope that helps guide you and you are able to salvage some of it.