Earthtainer with metal inner bottom, would rust hurt roots?

Stainless · May 17, 2014

I made three earthtainers this year and the cost was a little more than I liked. It adds up by the time you buy the second container and clamps. I was watching some youtube clips on the earthbox and how the inner piece comes out and I thought about making some earthtainers and instead of using the second bucket, make a metal platform instead. It would be the same concept but only metal. I could bypass the clamps and easily clamp the cage to it. Everything would basically be the same other than it's made of metal. That's where the rust part comes in. I know over time it will start to rust. Would rust hurt the plants or taste of the fruit? I know it's not going to be real rusty but I'm sure it will over time. Stainless steel would be a better option but I don't have the equipment to weld that.

rnewste · May 17, 2014

I don't think rust will damage the plants - in fact, some might argue that a little ferric oxide might benefit the tomatoes.

My main concerns are:

(1) The inner container acts as an insulating, double-wall system. The potting mix will run warmer without the inside container.

(2) The dual containers bolted together provide additional sidewall rigidity to keep the walls from bowing out when loaded with wet potting mix. You will loose this feature by just using a metal aeration bench substitute instead of the dual inner container.

(3) Your potting mix may fall down the gap between the edge of the metal bench and the sidewall of the outer container and into the water reservoir.

....just some thoughts.......

Raybo

Worth1 · May 17, 2014

No but it will brake down into iron oxide and ad a small amount of iron to the soil.

Worth

Stainless · May 17, 2014

Very good thoughts. I may make one just for this season and then see how it looks and does in the fall. I hate to sit on this till next Spring and have to wait till the end of next growing season.

If I do, I'll post pictures of build and pictures after summer.

rnewste · May 17, 2014

Attached is the Rev 3.9 Construction Guide. Nothing changed in the construction steps - just some modified suggestions on replanting process for the following Season.

Raybo

bughunter99 · May 18, 2014

I think its a great idea!

Stacy

Chucker · May 19, 2014

In the past, I have built floors (platforms) in containers using galvanized hardware cloth covered with fiberglass window screen. Allows for good drainage and won't rust away.

Here's the hardware cloth I used:
http://www.menards.com/main/building...870-c-5769.htm

May 17, 2014	#1
Stainless Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Fort Smith, AR Posts: 86	Earthtainer with metal inner bottom, would rust hurt roots? I made three earthtainers this year and the cost was a little more than I liked. It adds up by the time you buy the second container and clamps. I was watching some youtube clips on the earthbox and how the inner piece comes out and I thought about making some earthtainers and instead of using the second bucket, make a metal platform instead. It would be the same concept but only metal. I could bypass the clamps and easily clamp the cage to it. Everything would basically be the same other than it's made of metal. That's where the rust part comes in. I know over time it will start to rust. Would rust hurt the plants or taste of the fruit? I know it's not going to be real rusty but I'm sure it will over time. Stainless steel would be a better option but I don't have the equipment to weld that.

May 17, 2014	#2
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	I don't think rust will damage the plants - in fact, some might argue that a little ferric oxide might benefit the tomatoes. My main concerns are: (1) The inner container acts as an insulating, double-wall system. The potting mix will run warmer without the inside container. (2) The dual containers bolted together provide additional sidewall rigidity to keep the walls from bowing out when loaded with wet potting mix. You will loose this feature by just using a metal aeration bench substitute instead of the dual inner container. (3) Your potting mix may fall down the gap between the edge of the metal bench and the sidewall of the outer container and into the water reservoir. ....just some thoughts....... Raybo

May 17, 2014	#3
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	No but it will brake down into iron oxide and ad a small amount of iron to the soil. Worth

May 18, 2014	#6
bughunter99 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: zone 5 Posts: 821	I think its a great idea! Stacy

May 19, 2014	#7
Chucker Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 180	In the past, I have built floors (platforms) in containers using galvanized hardware cloth covered with fiberglass window screen. Allows for good drainage and won't rust away. Here's the hardware cloth I used: http://www.menards.com/main/building...870-c-5769.htm