GardenSafe: Frequently Asked Questions

How to get involved

Complete the registration survey to get started.

Instructions on how to collect soil samples

Once you have completed the registration survey, you will be emailed instructions on how to collect your soil samples and a Unique ID (GSEV) number to label them with. 

Sample collection involves equipment you may already have at home, including resealable sandwich bags, a trowel, and a permanent marker. 

Please ensure that you label your samples as instructed and include your Unique ID number on each sample. Incorrectly labelled samples cannot be processed.

Provide 3 soil samples

GardenSafe offers testing of 3 garden soil samples. If more samples are sent, only 3 will be tested. We request that a sample is collected from the front yard, back yard and veggie patch, as specified in the soil sampling instructions.

Sending soil samples

We request that all soil samples are mailed to our laboratory. If that is not feasible, please contact us at gardensafe@epa.vic.gov.au.

Turnaround time for soil testing

We strive to return your results within 6 weeks. If you are waiting for your results and it has been longer than 6 weeks, please contact us at gardensafe@epa.vic.gov.au.

What we test soil for

The analytes tested by GardenSafe are selected because:

• They may be present in garden soil at concentrations that could impact human or environmental health.

• They may impact how plants grow in the soil.

• They can be tested for using rapid analytical techniques.

If you are concerned about contaminants outside of what is offered by GardenSafe you can engage an environmental consultant to conduct a site assessment using testing at a NATA accredited laboratory facility.

What to do when you have your results

View our advice on how to interpret your results and reduce the risk of harm from contamination here.

What to do if your results exceed the guidelines provided

If the concentrations in your samples exceed the guideline provided, or you would like to test for other contaminants in your soil, please consider engagingan environmental consultant to conduct a site assessment using testing at a NATA accredited laboratory facility.

Relationship between VegeSafe and SoilSafe Aotearoa

EPA Victoria’s GardenSafe program was modelled from the successful Australia-wide citizen science program, VegeSafe.

GardenSafe provides a wider range of analyses than the VegeSafe program through its inclusion of soil quality indicators and total petroleum hydrocarbon assessment.

GardenSafe is available only to Victorian residents through EPA Victoria, while VegeSafe testing is available to anyone in Australia.

In 2021, our partners in New Zealand launched SoilSafe Aotearoa, offering testing of trace elements in garden soil to anyone in New Zealand.

If you live outside of Victoria, please go to VegeSafe (Australia) or SoilSafe Aotearoa (New Zealand) for testing near you.