Gardening near smoking

[Embassy]

I have a large garden plot at our new place, but it is right next to where the neighbor smokes. Would the vegetables be "tainted" if the air was exposed to cigarette smoke 5-10 times a day?

[elizabeth]

Mosiac virus http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG1168.html I learned about this from one of the Menno ladies at the library during a rainstorm. We passed an hour just chatting while the winds blew and the rain pelted down outside. You never know when these tidbits of infor will help someone!

[Luckymama]

I'd be concerned about the cigarette butts. Does s/he dispose of them properly or throw them on the ground (like our old neighbor, grrrr)?

[OrganicAnn]

There is no way to know the actual effect. Do you have roads anywhere near your garden? Car exhaust would probably contaminate the area around your garden more. Do you use a gas powered lawn mower? Lawn mowers produce a lot of pollution. Are you in an area with acid rain? Do you have industrial areas/factories anywhere near by? Have you had your water checked for chemicals? Someone smoking unless they are blowing smoke directly on my vegetable would not worry me too much.

[Melissa in Australia]

tobacco can be used as an insecticide. It might help to keep the bugs out of your garden.

[Peela]

Native Americans see tobacco as a sacred herb. I would just accept the situation and see the blessing side of it, and give my vegies a quick rinse before eating!I do realise there are many poisons along with teh tobacco in a cigarette, but my understanding is that they still see it as sacred) I honestly dont think I would worry about it, and I am an organic gardener. I would be more concerned about breathing it in while I was in the garden. But I think the garden can handle the smoke.