I am considering the use of several galvanized livestock watering tanks to raise vegetables in this year. Due to a previous back surgery, I've lost the ability to kneel and the tanks are just the right height to tend to my plants. Since our livestock use these tanks for drinking, I presumed they would be ok for organic gardening. However . . . I've seen two websites advising NOT to use ANY galvanized containers as they may leach zinc which could be absorbed by the plants. Other websites recommend use of all types of galvanized products. Can anyone comment on the safety of galvanized containers? I'd really appreciate some feedback before I go out and purchase some add'l tanks.
Hard to worry about zinc getting into the vegetables when it's one of the minerals we are supposed to include in our diet.
The thing is that just about anything we use in the garden is going to get into the plants or into us in some way. You can make yourself crazy worrying about every possible contaminant that might be taken up by your plants, but I bet the largest source of contamination is the crud that gets washed out of the sky when it rains.
If the stock tanks work for you, then you are going to get vegetables that are far more wholesome, to your body, and your soul, than store bought.
Mulch where you can Till if you have to Weed when you must It's all part of the plan.
Posts: 1324 | Location: Zone 4b, Upper Rio Grande, Southern Colorado | Registered: September 16, 2006
The material that galvanizes that metal does contain zinc but as long as the galvanizing is intact, not flaking off, there is no need to be concerned about the zinc getting into your plants growing there. Keep in mind that zinc is an essential plant micro nutrient, some zinc is needed by plants for good healthy growth, just as some zinc is needed by you for good, healthy growth. When selecting information to use on the internet you need to be very careful since there are no "censors" to be sure the information is good or not and people are known to put some real nonsense out there.
The sign of a good gardener is not a green thumb, it is brown knees.
Posts: 3152 | Location: Central Michigan along the Lakeshore | Registered: August 28, 2004
When selecting information to use on the internet you need to be very careful since there are no "censors" to be sure the information is good or not and people are known to put some real nonsense out there.
Amen to that Kimm1.
Yes, it pays to question everything and do our own research, and take a good look at the source.
About the galvanized containers, you may ask if there is any lead in them. Lead is commonly associated with zinc in many applications.
I have used galvanized containers to catch rain water for use in the garden. Once it starts to rust, not sure what to do with it as it has holes and of course is not water tight. I then use the container for compost. Is that not good?
Posts: 788 | Location: roanoke, va | Registered: January 13, 2008
I know this may not be true in all cases but, usually if plants take in contaminants that are in dangerous levels to humans, they usually suffer first. This may not apply to lead, mercury and heavy metals but chances are you aren't using that stuff in your garden to have to worry about it.
