This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Tap water v Water butt
Lawnmower Chris
Posts: 54
in Plants
Hi everyone.
I'm sure I've read somewhere that you shouldn't use rainwater on seeds & young plants. Rainwater should only be used on plants that have been growing for 3-4 weeks, because they have more of a resistance to 'stuff'.
Or have I dreamt this?
Any advice would be appreciated.
0
Posts
You remembered correctly
It's advised that tap water should be used on seedlings as water stored in waterbutts may have developed some fungal spores etc that new seedlings etc may be susceptible to.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Phew, not going mad!
Dove, at what stage of growth would you suggest I could introduce the rainwater?
I'd wait until they're of a size to plant out individually - when they've stopped being a seedling and started being a plant (does that make sense?) - and then make sure you water the soil and not the leaves.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
If I've been careful with emptying the water butts & cleaning them a couple of times a year with a jeyes fluid solution, would you still use rainwater?
I think it would depend on how important the plants were to me and how susceptible to fungal infection they were - for instance I think I'd definitely stick to tap water for my tomato seedlings - I perhaps wouldn't be so anxious about a lot of baby foxgloves.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Was thinking of toms, runner beans, tagetes & cucumbers from seed.
Have ordered geranium, busy lizzies & begonias as small plug plants.
To be honest I'd use tap water for that lot - plug plants seem to be particularly susceptible to botrytis-type infections and of course, tomatoes and cucumbers don't need any excuse to catch fungal infections either.
I would also use tap water for the beans and tagetes until they're planted out.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Very much appreciated Dove.
Will take on board your advice. Have a good weekend
And you Chris
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Another point to note is that tap water is cold. Fill some watering cans and let them warm up to room temp before using. Don't want to shock those young seedlings!