Rusty container for vegetables

[rajmadanny]

Hi,

I have a container vegetable garden. One of my containers is an old wheelbarrow that is rusting badly, and I have tomatoes growing in it. The container has holes drilled for drainage.

Is there a concern/health issue regarding the soil and the leaching of rust into the tomatoes?

Thanks, Raj

[David E. Ross]

Rust is iron oxide. All plants need traces of iron to create chlorophyll. Few plants will take up more iron from the soil than they need.

Tomatoes are a good source of iron in our diet. Thus, I think they might require more iron than some other plants. Therefore, you should not be concerned. Instead, you will find your tomatoes to be nutritious.

[z]

iron's not a problem. other metals like zinc or cadmium or lead, maybe, if they were plated on the metal or something, which they probably aren't.

[rajmadanny]

Thank you so much for your response! We will enjoy our nutritious tomatoes :)