Martian gardeners could grow vegetables on Mars - Telegraph »

“Martian dirt is rich in nutrients and capable of sustaining Earthly life, such as turnips and asparagus, surprised scientists announced.

Martian soil has a pH between 8 and 9, which places it somewhere around seawater or baking soda in alkalinity. The soil also contains the minerals magnesium, sodium, potassium and chloride. The soil was similar to what is found in parts of Antarctica.”