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| I've emailed the Rust-oleum company but haven't had a reply yet--maybe they don't know themselves. I purchased Gardener's Supply Tomato Towers in galvanized steel to use with my 6 tomato plants. Thought I would spray them with Rust-oleum "crystal clear enamel" first to keep them from rusting, but when I asked a Gardener's Supply employee about it, she wasn't sure that it wouldn't leach into the plants. So I'm waiting and waiting to hear back from Rust-oleum because we've got a week of rain ahead and I'd like to spray these towers while I've got the time. Anyone have any idea? Should I ask on a different forum? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Why do you think that spraying them will keep them from rusting more than the galvanized coating will keep them from rusting? That is the purpose of the galvanized zinc coating. Either way, paints don't "leach" into soil much less into plants. The painted coating may flake off over time but the minimal flaking poses no problems for plants. They are very selective in what they absorb. Dave |
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| Because they do eventually rust--that's what some reviewers said. And the Gardener's Supply employee didn't argue that point either. How come then you're not supposed to paint your wood raised bed gardens with anything other than a natural stain? |
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| The operative word there is "eventually". Years, maybe decades, before that happens and even them only if the zinc coating is damaged. But spraying a coating on them isn't going to prevent that from happening. The sprayed on coating is going to break down long before the electrostatically bonded zinc coating will. How come then you're not supposed to paint your wood raised bed gardens with anything other than a natural stain? What is the source of that claim? Many gardeners paint/stain their wood beds as needed. Please keep in mind that one can read all sorts of claims and personal opinions on how to do things, but that doesn't make them gospel. :) Evaluate your sources carefully and when in doubt, what is common practice is often a good guideline. Dave |
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- Posted by Whosurtomato 6a Southern IN (My Page) on Mon, Apr 7, 14 at 14:58
| I have always heard that the rust is beneficial for your garden as plants take up the iron. Don't know if it's true or not but I know plants need iron so it sounds good anyway. |
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| I have always heard that the rust is beneficial for your garden Agree. Rust is just iron oxide which is a normal component of all soil. For those rust bothers it is always just an appearance issue. Plus in this case the most likely place for rust to develop is at and below the soil where it is in direct contact with the damp soil. It wouldn't show there anyway. Dave |
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