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Galvanized steel for planting vegetables [Maryland] 

May 5, 2007

Is galvanized steel safe to use as tomatoe planters? I am worried about leaching of metals into the vegetables.

Barbara Meserve
hobbyist - Fallston, MD, USA

Zinc is an essential dietry element.
It is extremely unlikely that any will end up in the tomato but if it does you can put the price up.

Geoff Smith Hampshire, England

Galvanized steel is commonly used for tomato plant towers. Don't process the fruit in galvanized (or bare steel) containers though, as the acidity will dissolve some metal.

Ken Vlach - Goleta, California