Air filter Spelunking (and assorted gardening)

Today, I bought a new, high tech (and high priced) filter for this new HVAC system. The first install of the new system was last Sept (2021)
I surely would have thought that when the FURNACE was replaced the second time (about 2 months ago), a new filter would have been left in place, but NO

the county inspector came in January 2022 and said that the new system that had just been installed was not in compliance with code, all because of the metal flue pipe exposed outside the house

so an entirely new furnace, with a 90/10 rating (90% heat produced went into the house, 10% was in the exhausted fumes) was installed

^{↑No exposed pipe↑}

The one that was in there was NASTY

I bought the highest filtration value, and it also has a bluetooth monitor device on it, so I can keep tabs from my phone

Of course, I dressed for the part

I had a Dickens of a time getting the new filter to go in there, it is the same size, but when I pulled it back out to see why it wasn't going, the top edge was all torn up; when I looked INTO the slot, there is a sheet metal screw sticking down and dragging along the edge (the old filter showed signs of this as well, but the new filter is already torn up much worse)

After I got the replacement done, I looked around and noticed that whatever had been tearing off the black insulation OUTSIDE on the Copper AC line, had been doing so INSIDE as well.

I've not heard anything more so I hope to god this is all old damage

Yesterday I bought enough of these blocks for 4 more corners, and

↑This much more soil, peat moss and compost↑ and
↓These plants↓

(not in any order) there are
BURPLESS HYBRID CUCUMBER
GERMAN QUEEN HERILOOM TOMATOES
FOODIE MIDNIGHT TOMATOES
SWEET GENOVESE BASIL
RED BELL PEPPER
CILANTRO
ROSEMARY
POBLANO ANCHO PEPPER
YELLOW BELL PEPPER
Between the plants, blocks and soil, there was over $100.00 USD worth of stuff here 😱
So now I have my work cut out for me.
Tomorrow, I'm getting a new waterline put in from the meter to the house.
I'll have far better pressure and at least one more outside spigot.
That will be a post for tomorrow