How Long After My Dog Pooped In Soil Can I Plant A Garden

I'm very concerned about the health hazards of eating food grown in the beds where a dog has pooped. At this point, I could build a fence around the whole garden to stop any further damage, but I'm wondering about the existing and persistent harm of bacteria or worms that may now be in the soil. My house mate's dog did her duty in multiple beds throughout the winter of last year. I went ahead and trusted the soil would be okay after the feces was picked up. This year, however, I've been disturbed to read about the dangers of dog feces. Also, the dog has been doing its duty more regularly in the beds. This year, the dog started in the Fall, going in vacant garden beds and beds of newly planted seeds and starts (which I didn't eat because of it). Now in the winter, the dog is pooping regularly in empty beds and where we have food plants... atop the strawberries and the beets, beside the stunted kale plants. If we clean up all the feces now, will the soil be safe in March to begin planting food plants in it? And will the strawberry patch ever be safe to eat from if a few plants have had feces on them? If you can point me to a study, that would be helpful for me to be certain about the situation.

It is critical to keep dogs and cats from pooping on the garden area. Dogs and cats have parasitic pathogens and roundworms which can transfer to humans. Use a fence, smelly soap or some way to distract animals. Key: keep poop out of the garden.

Recommendations:

Remove all of the manure.
Keep manure out of the garden area.
Plant cover crops - blue grass, or fava or red clover. Fallow or growing nothing is the best solution.
Plant plants that have a big root system and are large plants, such as tomatoes, green beans, pole beans, peas, squash, pumpkins, cucumbers.
Let the rain clean the soil, add lime at 80 pounds per 1000 sq feet.
After one year, then you can plant rooted veggies.

Unfortunately we don't have exact information. After reading 5 articles, there was no article with a university backing.

carrots, radish, squash, cabbage

Want to learn more about this topic? Explore more resources from OSU Extension: Garden Vegetables and Herbs, Gardening Techniques

Was this page helpful?

Related Content from OSU Extension

Five tips for using holiday greenery

For those seeking to "spruce" up their interior spaces during the holidays, fresh evergreens are a great place to start. In addition to the natural feel and fragrance, evergreens are especially forgiving to work with. Even ...

Nicole Sanchez | Dec 2019 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Protecting Your Garden from Frost

What's the easiest way to protect my fall vegetable garden from the possible frost conditions over the next few nights?

Jean R. Natter | Nov 2011 | Featured question

Growing Your Own

About this publication Growing Your Own provides basic advice on a wide range of gardening topics, including composting, container gardens, fall/winter gardens, fertilizing, insect pests, plant diseases, planting guidelines, raised beds, ...

Gail Langellotto | Apr 2011 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Growing Healthy Kids returns in 2021 in hybrid form

Growing Healthy Kids presented a new video lesson every Thursday through mid-May. The video lessons, about eight to 10-minutes long, give students opportunities to learn basic plant parts and encourage students to try a variety of fruits and vegetables using their senses.

Nov 2021 | Impact story

How to Use Compost in Gardens and Landscapes

Compost is a soil amendment consisting of partially broken-down organic material. Use compost to improve soil for vegetable gardens, landscape areas and lawns. Learn how to apply the correct amount of compost and how to avoid common compost mistakes.

Weston Miller | Feb 2021 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

November garden calendar

Information about garden planning, maintenance, cleanup, pest management, houseplants and indoor gardening for the month of November.

Oct 2020 | Article

October Garden Calendar

Information about garden planning, maintenance and clean up, pest monitoring and management, houseplants, and indoor gardening for the month of October.

Sep 2020 | Article

Why are my mashed potatoes like glue?

I'm a certified, occupational chef, been making mashed potatoes for 30 yrs. I've noticed in the last couple of years, that red or golden Yukon, also boiler potatoes, are turning to glue, while whipping! No reason on earth I...

Sagar Sathuvalli | Jan 2018 | Featured question

GROWING

GROWING is a joint publication by Linn and Benton County OSU Extension services, and is published by the Albany Democrat Herald. GROWING is published every other month (January, March, May, July, September, and November).

Newsletter

Is newspaper ink toxic?

Can green tomatoes still be wrapped in newspaper to help ripen. I understand that the ink for printing has changed and that newspapers were no longer good for wiping windows because of that change from a Petroleum to a soy base. Wonder if same held true for tomatoes?

Pat Patterson | Oct 2021 | Featured question

Have a question? Ask an Expert!

Ask an Expert is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

Ask us a question