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Can water butt water be used on vegetables in new raised bed?

mwaltermwalter Posts: 18
in Problem solving
I have just built a new raised bed and want to grow veg and fruit.  If I buy a new water butt to collect water from my garage roof, can I use the water from the butt on seeds and veg as it grows?  I was thinking of buying a Harcoster 227 litre butt and using Water Klear to keep the water clean? Is this a safe option? Do I need anything else to filter the water from the gutter to the butt?  Any advice or alternative solutions gratefully received.  Thanks 😊 

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited August 2020
    It’ll be fine as long as you’re not trying to make fertiliser in it by marinating dead donkeys, disagreeable neighbours or political canvassers in it. 😉 

    Otherwise use the water freely on almost everything* and rinse your food in tap water in the sink before eating. 

    *My proviso is to use tap water for small seedlings just in case of fungal spores in the water etc. 

    Welcome to the forum. 😊 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    I wouldn't bother with the Water Klear. I have a couple of butts on different roofs and have used the water on veg without any problems. I water the ground, not the plants, so don't worry about any possible algae etc in the butt water. Just keep the gutter and downpipe clear and you should be OK. Filters get blocked, that is how they work, so need regular checking - more trouble than they are worth.
    Clean out the butt over the winter when you don't need the water.
  • mwaltermwalter Posts: 18
    Thanks to Dovefromabove & Steephill for the advice and reassurance. Water butt ordered and I look forward to growing some veg!  

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Best of luck ... enjoy your gardening and remember, we’re here and happy to help so if you’re not sure, just ask ... we’ve all been beginners and we never stop learning 😊  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • mwaltermwalter Posts: 18
    Dovefromabove said:
    Best of luck ... enjoy your gardening and remember, we’re here and happy to help so if you’re not sure, just ask ... we’ve all been beginners and we never stop learning 😊  
    Many thanks for your support. 👍🙂
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