Can I Plant Tomatoes on Recently Buried Roasted Pig?

It might seem like a strange question to ask, but if you're a gardener who's just buried a pig on your land, you might be wondering if it's safe to plant tomatoes on top of the burial site. After all, tomatoes are a popular garden crop, and burying animals is a traditional way of fertilizing soil. So, can you plant tomatoes on a recently buried roasted pig? The answer is yes—but with some precautions.

Understanding the Risks

First of all, it's important to understand that burying a pig (or any animal) can potentially introduce harmful bacteria and pathogens into the soil. This can happen even if the pig was cooked thoroughly and the burial site is away from any water sources. Some of the risks associated with burying animals include:

Contamination with E. coli and other harmful bacteria

Insect infestations

Attracting scavengers like coyotes and raccoons to your property

Attracting flies and other pests

For these reasons, it's imperative to take precautions when burying an animal on your property, and avoid planting certain crops on or near the burial site until enough time has passed for the soil to be "clean" again.

How to Safely Plant Tomatoes on a Burial Site

Assuming you've taken all necessary precautions and have buried the roasted pig safely and legally, you may want to plant tomatoes on top of the burial site. Here are some tips for doing so safely:

Wait at least six months before planting anything on the burial site. This will give the soil enough time to settle and break down any harmful bacteria.

Test the soil for contaminants before planting. You can do this by sending a sample to a lab for analysis.

Plant the tomatoes in a raised bed rather than directly in the ground. This will help ensure that the soil is well-drained and avoid potential contamination from the burial site.

Avoid planting any other crops near the burial site until the soil has been cleared.

By taking these precautions, you can safely plant tomatoes on a burial site without putting yourself or your plants at risk.

Conclusion

While burying animals is a traditional form of soil fertilization, it's important to understand the risks associated with doing so. If you've buried a roasted pig on your property and want to plant tomatoes on top of the burial site, take precautions to ensure that the soil is safe and well-drained. By doing so, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of tomatoes without compromising the safety of your soil or your health.