School kids, dye garden, and Glycophosphate safety concerns

Hi everyone,
I hope this is the correct forum to post in, if not someone please tell me where to post.
I have installed an edible garden on a school premises. On one border they have previously sprayed the fence line so I have used planters to keep food crops off of the soil. To utilise the sun aspect in this region I planted some calendula/marigold to be used as dye plants and some soapwort to be used for soaps, both as teaching aids and childrens projects for the school. Both of these items were planted in soil within a Metre (3ft for you americans) of the sprayed border but myself and the school are still concerned about making soaps or dying clothes due to absorption through the skin of toxins that are still in the soil and taken up by the plants. Does anyone have any advice??? It can always be left as a pretty flower bed and not used for the kids projects as we are not prepared to take any risks. They may also spray this year too if we cannot stop them and I am erecting a barrier to prevent contamination to the food planters from chemicals carried by the wind. The garden has such a difficult aspect that I have no other choice but to use this area as best I can. What are your thoughts peeps.
Thanks
J

I don't know much about the actual dangers, except to avoid these chemicals in my diet. One day I'm hoping for a wardrobe that avoids them as well, but I'm still working on that.

You've come to the right place. The people here know loads and I'm sure someone will be able to help you.


One thing does spring to mind. Perhaps the kids would like to paint some signs saying 'no spray,' 'organic garden', then these signs could be weather proofed and put all around the garden area.

Or perhaps you could team up with someone in the community. They could grow the same plants organically in their garden/farm to be used for the dye project. It becomes a learning experience for the kids. How come we can't use the plants we grew? Because some agricultural chemicals can cause - appropriate description for their age and understanding level.

Who is doing the spraying? Can you talk to them about why they do it, and suggest alternatives while (gently) educating them about your concerns / the downsides of spraying?

Hi Guys, Im not up to scatch with how i reply individually here so ill do both you guys in this comment

R Ranson
"Perhaps the kids would like to paint some signs saying 'no spray,' 'organic garden"

Yes we will definitely do this and use it as a teaching tool as to why, thanks for the comment.

Steven Kovacs
"Who is doing the spraying? Can you talk to them about why they do it, and suggest alternatives while (gently) educating them about your concerns / the downsides of spraying?"

We are trying this but communications seem to be an issue, also I cannot guarantee 100% that the sprayer will be informed properly,,, subcontracters etc.
But we are trying. Lets hope I get a bit more advice from all you peeps.