I've been growing my own vegetables in my backyard for over a decade, and generally, I've had no issues eating what I grow. The only previous problem was with ground cherries, which made my chest feel tight even when fully ripe, so I stopped growing them. This year, though, I've been experiencing similar issues with my onions and okra, which I've eaten without trouble in the past. My radishes, cucumbers, jalapenos, and cherry tomatoes seem fine. Also, I've had problems with dry beans from last year when making soup, which has never happened before. I'm starting to wonder if the mulch I use, primarily cedar and cypress, might be leaching something bad into the soil. Sometimes there seems to be mixed recycled materials in the mulch. I'm not sure what's going on, and I'd appreciate any suggestions!
3 Answers
Have you thought about getting a soil test? They're not usually too expensive, and it could help figure out if there's anything harmful in it. Plus, it could tell you what nutrients your garden might need!
It sounds like you might be experiencing Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS). That's when your body reacts to certain raw fruits and veggies due to other allergies. You should definitely check with an allergist to see if that could be the case.
You might want to visit a doctor to get some advice—it can't hurt, especially if you're starting to feel unwell. It's possible you could be developing an allergy to certain vegetables, so speaking with a professional could help clarify things.