[applepie]

Hello everybody. I am new to this forum. I have an allotment and wonder if anyone knows if new, ready-mix concrete is toxic? My neighbour has used ready-mix concrete to secure his fence posts for his raspberry canes and as the area is right beside where I grow my veggies I am a bit concerned. Does anyone have any experience of this or know where I might get any information? Just concerned about what effect this may have on the soil. Thanks for any help.

[Yorkie]

Welcome to the site 

I've never heard of this being a problem before.

The only minor issue is that concrete is, I think, alkaline so don't try to grow anything which is an acid-lover right next to it.

[JayG]

New concrete (or cement) will leach lime into the soil, and any raspberry plants very near to it might not like it that much, but it's highly unlikely to leach far sideways rather than downwards I would have thought.

I actually used ready-mix concrete for the supports for my raspberry wires - there were no rasps planted nearer than about a foot away and no adverse effects that I have noticed (about 2 years ago now.)

[savbo]

as long as ou're not growing blueberries near the postholes, I can't see the concrete having any real effect on your veggies. It's definitely not going to affect your health in any way

[applepie]

Many thanks for these replies. That is a relief!