Copper trellis for tomatoes and cucumbers - Ask Extension
Hello, I would like to build a copper trellis to grow tomatoes and cucumbers next year, I have seen conflicting reports about using copper pipe in a v...
Knowledgebase
Copper trellis for tomatoes and cucumbers #813904
Asked October 11, 2022, 10:37 AM EDT
Hello, I would like to build a copper trellis to grow tomatoes and cucumbers next year, I have seen conflicting reports about using copper pipe in a vegetable garden. Is copper safe to use for tomato and cucumber plants ? Thanks in advance.
Lancaster County Nebraska
Expert Response
Hi David -
Copper is an essential nutrient for plants but in abundance it can have toxic properties. We often see copper toxicity when a copper based fungicide has been overused during the course of multiple years. Crop rotation is important with reduction of disease pressure. I imagine that you would rotate your crops and move the trellis with them - that would help reduce copper build up in the soil. Would the copper from the trellis pose a risk? I am not sure. I didn't find any research that indicates one way or another. However, copper is malleable and not sure if it could support the weight of a heavy fruit load.
Copper is an essential nutrient for plants but in abundance it can have toxic properties. We often see copper toxicity when a copper based fungicide has been overused during the course of multiple years. Crop rotation is important with reduction of disease pressure. I imagine that you would rotate your crops and move the trellis with them - that would help reduce copper build up in the soil. Would the copper from the trellis pose a risk? I am not sure. I didn't find any research that indicates one way or another. However, copper is malleable and not sure if it could support the weight of a heavy fruit load.
