Heating oil spillage - clean-up suggestions?

Yesterday, after sitting there un-used for the last 20-odd years, we finally had our old domestic heating oil tank removed. The guys did their best, but the garden has been modified so much over the years that the only way they could get at it, was to pull it off it's 'stand' with the result that it ended upside-down on the lawn, oil leaked out of the vent at the top and, as they wheeled it away, oil continued to spill across the lawn, soil and down the path.

The path was the easy bit, I sprinkled a couple of layers of sand, brushed it around and bagged it up, then washed it down with a strong detergent solution.

Assuming we're not overcome by the fumes first (!) - the question is what, if anything, to do about the lawn and contaminated soil? I'm guessing the grass is going to die (which can be dealt with), but what can I do about the soil? Is there anything I can use to neutralise the effects of the oil? And how long should I leave it before trying to grow anything - I'm thinking particularly in terms of fruit and/or veg?

 

I caught a snip of Gardeners Questiontime on Friday when a listener said she lived near heathrow and that the garden was frequently the recipient of plane fuel. Unfortunately I didn't hear the answer but the programme will be repeated on Sunday (early afternoon) or maybe you could pick it up on i-player?

Hope that helps

 

I don't think there is anything you can do with the soil apart from remove as much of it as possible. If it's left it will be years before you can use that area to plant again.

 

H

How about some boxed in raised beds above the contaminated area?