Rusty sweets tin any good for container planting?

[Ratty]

I've found that I have lots of slightly rusted large chocolate tins (you know, those Celebrations ones people seem to only buy at Xmas!), which used to be used for guinea pig feed but were left outside over winter. I'm wondering if they will be OK to use as planters for herbs & veg? Should I spend precious time trying to wire brush the rust off or will it be harmless to my herbs & veg? Many TIA

Ratty

[MKG]

Right - I'm in. Ratty, I'm a recent re-convert to growing things (gosh, when I last did it, Chernobyl affected my cauliflower growth) but from what I've picked up recently and remembered ...

Don't brush off the rust because the tins will just rust up again immediately (and ferric oxide hasn't yet been shown to be harmful in any way).

Once you've punched holes in the bottom, filled the tins with compost, and read the appropriate square foot gardening rules (just Google it), you''ll find that a four-inch depth is enough for just about anything but root crops or intense feeders such as courgettes and cucumbers.

So if you're feeling adventurous, the tin's your kipper, so to speak. On the other hand, they'd be a big IDEAL for herbs, or radishes, or even something like Little Gem lettuce.

Go for it.

[Ratty]

Thanks MKG. I'm pretty aware of square-foot stuff - given I have 2 raised beds & spuds in tyres currently. I was just looking at ways of re-using the tins now they are rusty. Herbs will be in there asap

Ratty