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oil tank in the way...

Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 5:07 pm
by julie_lanteri
I need to tap into the -Ish knowledge bank again...
Our (above ground) oil tank is very annoyingly situated in the sunniest corner of the garden. Mr & his dad fenced it off this weekend. Is it safe to grow edible crops nearby?
thanks

Re: oil tank in the way...

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 8:07 am
by The Riff-Raff Element
Provided that you've not had any leaks, then I can't imagine that there'd be any problem. Heating oil residues are not something you'd want in your diet.

Re: oil tank in the way...

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 9:19 am
by julie_lanteri
nope, no leaks! a few south facing veg beds it is! thanks :iconbiggrin:

Re: oil tank in the way...

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 10:23 am
by boboff
They normally sit in a "bund" which should take and leaks and contain them in any event.
Depending on your budget and what you have I would think it could be a possibility to at least put in some drainage so that if you have a "flood" any oily water is taken away from you beds.
Check your tank policy also as I have gas one and they stipulate nothing within 3 meters of the tank that is compustable, which I think a fence and raised beds might be, sorry, but it would be best to check rather than build it and then find out you had to move it, or they wouldn't fill your tank.

Re: oil tank in the way...

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2012 8:31 pm
by osmunda
I worked in a plant nursery a few years ago and we had huge water tanks and an oil tank and we covered them with some mesh and grew climbers up them. As long as the tank is leak and spill free maybe you could cover them with runner beans!