I'm using an existing raised vegtable garden and have found pink building insultation in the soil. It is almost as though a layer was placed on the ground first and then the soil placed on top. (Just speculating because I can't figure out why I am finding so many clumps of it in the soil as I am tilling it up.) Has anyone every heard of using insulation in the beds possibly for helping the soil retain heat?? I'm wondering if toxins could be leeching into the soil and into my vegatables?? Any advice or insight would be appreciated.
Hi KS, You aren't registered so I don't know where you live, but I would have a soil test done just to be sure and make sure they test for toxins. I've never heard of using building insulation for anything besides what it's meant for. Newt
Builders often bury building waste on site to avoid dumping charges, so that could be how it got there. Fibreglass is made of glass, which can't absorb water, so can't leach anything out. It's in most of our homes because it's considered safe. That said, it will cause irritation if it comes in contact with your skin when you're digging in the bed and certainly offers no benefit to plants.
Thanks for the responses. I have been using gardening gloves thankfully and picked out whatever loose pieces I came across. I may still get the soil tested for my piece on mind. KS - Vancouver, BC