If I Put Moth Balls In My Garden Are My Vegetables Now Inedible?

Question

I work at an assisted living and we have a community garden for the residents to tend to. One of the residents put moth balls in around the plants (herbs and vegetable plants) to keep our neighborhood cat and other pests out. About a month after, I learned from one of your articles and other places how moth balls are toxic and can leech poison into the soil. I removed them but we had quite a bit of rain that much and some of them looked like they dissolved. My question is, it’s been about a month since I took them out. Would the tomatoes and herbs be safe to eat? Or would I have to scrap the garden? I’m not sure who else to ask. Thank you!!

Answer 1

For safety's sake, I suggest scrapping the garden. The plants may have absorbed some of the toxic chemicals that leached into the soil. Plus, many of the residents may have compromised immune systems and would be more vulnerable. Here is more:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/mothballs-in-gardens.htm

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/washingtonco/2014/11/18/mothballs-are-a-pesticide/

Wait several months before using the soil again, and replace the top several inches or at least incorporate lots of compost into the soil.