Watering plants

[joeluke]

Due to the ongoing lack of rain, an empty water butt and also being on a water meter I've started watering plants with saved household water (water from running the tap until it runs hot/cold)

I've also heard some people use their 'grey' household water (from baths/washing up etc) to water their gardens

Is it safe to water fruit/vegetable plants with 'grey' water, my worry is the chemicals from washing up liquid/shampoo/soap etc possibly being detrimental to the plants

[Mick-Talbot]

awwww........see, Joe does have a caring and tender side.

[joeluke]

mick....shhhhh, don't tell everyone

[rowanwitch]

Joeluke....switch from detergents to natural soap based products or the 'eco friendly ' ranges and you will be fine...the soapy water keeps greenfly down too

[joeluke]

Thanks Rowan but expensive eco friendly products are never on my shopping list......do you know what harm, if any, fairy liquid and vosene are likely to do?

[rowanwitch]

strong detergents accumulate in the soil....and stop water from penetrating into the loam structure, they also kill nitrogen fixing bacteria, and other useful bugs..and cause worms to come to the surface where they are heavily predated.. maybe you gould use your grey water 'one time in three' to minimise the effect.. just a thought though a bar of simple soap will jast a lot longer than a bottle of shower or bath bubbles

Shampoo should be ok as you would use so little and the dilution would be pretty weak

[Mick-Talbot]

It is so diluted, I wouldn't think it would do any damage,.

[ladybirder]

Joe Luke your 1st para could have been written by me, that is exactly what I do as I am also on a water meter. But I do use my bath water as well when necessary and no probs so far.

[gingejbee]

The concentration of surfactants in bath-water is so low that it will do no harm at all- whereas water from a washing- machine would be unsuitable.

[carolegif]

I use my water waiting for it to get hot. I store in in large plastic milk bottles until I need it. In the winter I use it for watering the house plants.

[gleno1]

I always save water by collecting the cold water until it becomes hot and water plants and fill my bird baths up with it.We must realise that water is a precious commodity and do all we can to preserve it .

[Ric.ror]

I once heard that the water used to boil eggs is full of minerals which help houseplants