Some gardeners shy away from galvanized containers because they are unsure whether or not they are safe to use for growing vegetables. Is this concern necessary?
The simple answer to this question is no, there is no need for concern. With that being said, there are a few things that you should know when using galvanized containers to grow your vegetables.
In this article, we will take a look at why it is safe to use galvanized containers and steps you can take to be successful in using them in your garden.
What are Galvanized Containers?
Galvanized containers are made of steel that has been coated in a layer of zinc in order to prevent rusting. This makes them incredibly suitable for growing plants, since the water and soil will not cause damage to the container.
Benefits of Galvanized Containers
Galvanized containers will not rust when exposed to water and soil. There are also a few other benefits to using them when growing your vegetables.
For starters, galvanized containers can cost you a lot less than many other pots, especially over the lifetime of the container. The zinc coating is very long lasting. The long life expectancy, means that you will not have to worry about removing your plant from the container (unless the plant requires it).
What Makes People Nervous About Growing Vegetables in Galvanized Containers?
As we have already discussed, galvanized steel is coated in a zinc layer to prevent rusting. This layer of zinc often makes gardeners nervous when it comes to using galvanized containers..
Zinc can be associated with certain health conditions, such as stomach cramps, skin irritations, etc. BUT – it is important to note that only large doses of zinc can cause these reactions.
The danger associated with growing your vegetables in a galvanized container is very low. You are likely to be exposed to more zinc from tap water running through galvanized steel municipal pipes than by eating a vegetable that has been grown in a galvanized container.
Why Growing Vegetables in Galvanized Containers is Safe
Galvanized containers are not coated in large amounts of zinc – you would have to consume way more zinc in order for it to start affecting your health.
Galvanized steel is made to perform best in environments where the pH level is between 5.5 and 12 since zinc requires significant acidity alkalinity in order for it to break down. Most potting soil is slightly acidic in the 5.8 to 6.5 range to neutral, so it will have little to no impact on the zinc coating your galvanized container. If the zinc doesn’t break down, it will not be absorbed by your plants.
Finally, zinc occurs naturally in the soil to varying degrees. It is an important plant micronutrient that helps plants produce chlorophyll. A zinc deficiency can cause stunted growth in plants.
Tips for Growing Plants in Galvanized Containers
Having established that it is safe to grow your vegetables in galvanized containers, there are a few gardening techniques and tips that you should be aware of when doing so:
Make Sure That You Have Adequate Drainage
It is essential that your plants have adequate drainage when using a galvanized container. You may need to drill a few holes in the bottom of the container. Consider elevating it off the ground as well. This can be easily done by placing the container on a few bricks. As with any pot, you can help drainage by lining the bottom of the container with gravel before putting in the soil.
Place Your Container in a Spot That Receives Some Shade
Your plants are at risk of becoming too hot when grown in a metal container. You can avoid this by placing your container and plants in an area that receives some shade.
Consider the Weight of the Container When Full
If you are using a large galvanized container, like a stock tank, you’ll want to position it where you want it before you put soil in it. Unless you have a skid steer handy, trying to move it after you put soil in it will be a challenge!Final Thoughts
Is it safe to grow vegetables in galvanized containers? Yes, it is completely safe and quite practical to grow vegetables in galvanized containers. The amount of zinc used to galvanize the metal is not enough to cause any health problems.
If you use these galvanized containers to grow your plants, make sure that you have adequate drainage and that your plants receive some shade in order to avoid overheating.
Happy Growing!