Flood Resources

We are heartbroken to see all the loss around our beautiful state.  Again, for a second year in a row.  We are republishing this list of flood recovery resources for food growers, both small-scale and commercial growers.  

Can I consume produce from my flooded garden?

In a nutshell, any edible plant part that was touched by flood waters is considered contaminated and should not be consumed.  If the edible part of a plant stayed above the water or if the edible part of the plant is still many weeks away from harvest, you might be able to consume it.  There are many nuances and factors to consider.  We highly encourage all gardeners to do their own risk assessment.  To help you out, we’ve gathered the most relevant resources we have found.

“After the Flood: Tips on Edible Garden Plants”, from UVM Extension: includes an “if-then” decision tree to help navigate decisions regarding food safety and replanting.

“Flood Recovery Guidance for Lawns and Gardens”, from UVM Extension: great resource that mentions how to care for veggie gardens, as well as ornamental gardens and lawns.

“Recovering from a Flood: Garden Flooding”, from the North Carolina State Extension: a concise, 1-page document geared towards home gardeners.

“Safely Using Produce from Flooded Gardens”, from University of Wisconsin Extension: slightly more detailed than the above document, also geared towards gardeners.

“Flooded Gardens”, from South Dakota Cooperative Extension: includes recommendations for which veggies to peel and/or cook as a safety precaution if harvesting from potentially contaminated gardens.

“FAQs About Handling Flooded Produce”, compiled by University of Vermont Extension: a detailed, 8-page document to help farmers interpret FDA regulations.  We found this document helpful in answering questions related to risk assessment for specific crops and considerations for replanting.

“Flood Response & Recovery Information for Vermont Produce Growers”, a website published on July 12, 2023 by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets.  Links to very detailed information that is more relevant to farm-scale vegetable growers, but could be of interest to home-scale vegetable growers looking for additional guidance.