If you are concerned about soil contaminants, you might want to have a soil test done beforehand. Your county's Cooperative Extension may be able to give you some names of soil testing labs that test for contaminants. If your home has been built before 1978, and was painted, it may be that it was with lead paint. In this case, we'd suggest having your soil tested, not planting edibles near the foundation, and using a raised bed further out in the yard.
For more information, you might see:
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/soil-contamination-testing-22559.html
Gardening guidelines for soil with lead:
http://www.douglascountyhealth.com/healthy-children/lead-poisoning-prevention/soil-lead-facts
If you are concerned about soil contaminants, you might want to have a soil test done beforehand. Your county's Cooperative Extension may be able to give you some names of soil testing labs that test for contaminants. If your home has been built before 1978, and was painted, it may be that it was with lead paint. In this case, we'd suggest having your soil tested, not planting edibles near the foundation, and using a raised bed further out in the yard.
For more information, you might see:
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/soil-contamination-testing-22559.html
Gardening guidelines for soil with lead:
http://www.douglascountyhealth.com/healthy-children/lead-poisoning-prevention/soil-lead-facts