The present paper reviews content and phytoavailability of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in the soils of seven selected regions in the former Tarnów province, considered to be particularly endangered by contamination by these metals. One hundred soil samples were collected, 50 from the 0-10 cm layer and 50 from the 40-50 cm layer and mixed meadow sward from the same places. Most of the examined soil samples had a natural heavy metal content with the exception of a few samples containing higher amounts of Cd, Ni, and Zn. A strong correlation between heavy metal content and soil sorptive capacity and the organic matter content and the level of soil fraction with particle diameter of <0.02 and <0.002 mm was observed. Analysis of heavy metals in plants revealed that the limit values of Cd and Zn content were exceeded only occasionally together with reduced fodder quality of the investigated sward.