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water saving

13

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  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    edited July 2018
    I have a question about using soapy water on the garden. We know soap kills aphids by blocking the pores they use to breathe but would tipping washing up water on the lawn have the same effect for the beneficial creatures that live in the soil? I don't use chemical soaps as I don't get on with them so all the soap going on the lawn is natural. I just worry that I'm sterilising my soil by reusing soapy water.
    In the drought summer of 76 we kept all our washing machine, bath, and washing up water and used it in the grass, the colour was fantastic, maybe soda in the soap but it looked beautiful. 
    We still save the bath water but we bale it out in buckets into a big dustbin, we do live in a bungalow though😀

    Didn’t need it last year, I watered my baskets and tubs only twice. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • FirecrackerFirecracker Posts: 256
    Our butt at the top of the garden is scavenged from the guy next doors garage roof.He does'nt use his water butt much, so ours fills when his is full. :)
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Have been aving the shower water, had my first shower of the week today, standing in Hubbies cold shower water, then we baled it out, using/filling buckets,trugs,watering cans,  Oh, I felt sooorighteous! wouldnt you know it it started raining only very fine, but been going on a couple of hours, its warming up now though so probably, evaporate.  We have a bungalow, waste from shower/basin, kitchen goes under concrete floor, so we wouldnt be able to do this.
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    We have a bungalow, waste from shower/basin, kitchen goes under concrete floor, so we wouldnt be able to do this.
    Nanny, if you wash dishes and carrots in a bowl rather than the sink, you use less water and you can then tip it on the garden
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530
    kev van said:
    I'm just about to install a 1000l IBC behind the shed. Not sure how long it will take to fill up but I hope by next May it may be filled. I've got to hide it but least I got some water
    Enlighten me please, what does IBC stand for?
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    I DO use a bowl "Josusa47, I have a dishwasher, state of the art and have checked up they use LESS water than washing up by hand, I make sure it only a full load, some washing up has to be done in the sink, and you can be assured I DO put the water on the garden.  I meant I couldnt use any hose attachment to physically get the water directly outside.  How are you getting on with your woodland/sahey garden?  Yes, same thing here Lyn.
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    Intermediate bulk container :)
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    Grandkids and daughter stayed overnight, made them shower with plug in, they thought we were joking, er, no!! Especially when I got my daughter taking the buckets of water outside, put in a dustbin, and watered tonight!
  • YviestevieYviestevie Posts: 7,066
    I have a water butt and also have soaker hoses round the borders and in the pots.
    Hi from Kingswinford in the West Midlands
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Jellyfire said:
    Thats a great set-up @Fire, youve inspire me to do the same. If I dont post again its because Ive fallen out of the bathroom window trying to set up a hose

    @Jellyfire did indeed stop posting, and I'm very much hoping he did not fall out of the window trying to set up the hose.
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