Growing in copper?

[Lorna]

Hello everyone,

We have an old copper water tank which has been lying around in the loft doing nothing. OH suggested he cut it in half to make two planters for potatoes or maybe the strawberry plants. I just wanted to be sure before we do this that it isn't poisonous or won't react in some way with these plants to turn the produce poisonous.

Anyone know?

[NOG]

Why not line it with a 80l compost bag. That will stop the soil toughing the copper. Slugs are not ment to loke copper if that helps.

[Lorna]

Good thinking NOG. I suppose the foliage will cover the plastic stopping it looking potentially a bit unsightly. Oh and OH now tells me that he wasn't thinking of using these containers for potatoes, just the strawberry idea with holes cut in the sides. The potato idea must have been mine as we've had very successful potato crops in tubs before.

[Lorna]

Hi,

I take it no-one has knowledge either way then, if copper will produce a poisonous reaction with strawberries? We'd rather not do the plastic lining bit if we don't have to.

[Lesley Jay]

Lorna if I was you I would have a look on google. Copper is poisonous but I don't know if using a copper water tank would contaminate the strawberries.

[rauni]

I've got an old copper coal scuttle planted up with salad stuff, as a slug defence. Slugs definitely hate it, so they won't have your strawbs. Copper may be poisonous if you ingest lots of it or inhale lots of dust, but I work with it all the time, and I reckon its pretty benign. Water pipes are made of copper. I can't imagine it would get into the strawberries?! I am not an expert, so don't shoot me down, its just my opinion as a metalworker.

[Lorna]

Thanks for your input guys. We planted it anyway with a plastic lining just to be sure . Can't wait for the copper to go green, it should look stunning .

[rauni]

I can picture a lovely patinated green tank spilling over with fat red strawbs. It takes a long time for it to colour up tho. Acid rain speeds the process, so you could try and help it on it's way. Maybe spraying the copper with diluted lemon juice or vinegar would work?

[Jaxom]

When St Paul’s cathedral was built the copper plates to be used on the dome were stood to one side and provided the workers with urinal facilities. The plates were turned round 180 degrees every week. Soon they became the lovely shade of green we all know today. This practice was not exclusive to the building of St Paul’s, but a common practice where verdergre copper work was to be an intrinsic feature of the finished building.
Jax

[Lorna]

I wonder if our coastal situation will help the colouring on its way. If not, more useful suggestions.

Thanks!

[Jaxom]

Lorna, when they built St Paul’s, lemon juice or vinegar was out of the question. As I understand, it’s the ammonia in the wee that starts the colour change more than the natural acid in it.
Jax