Can I water outdoor flowers with used bath water?
Question:My area is under water restrictions. I have petunias and impatiens in my yard. Would it be ok to use the water from my baby's bath on them? It has a little Johnson's baby shampoo in it. I am trying to be creative in order to save my gardening from dehydration and certain death!
Answers:
Definitely. If you use biodegradeable laundry detergent, you can use your washing machine water too. Just keep an eye on the ph (you can get a kit from nursery and hardware stores cheap) and test the soils every now and then. If the flowers start to look a little sick check it too. If it is too alkaline, just use some manure. If it is too alkaline, just add some garden lime. Sometimes, having soaps and detergents in the water help to keep moisture in the soil as well. Definitely don't use kitchen water though, as the oils will ruin your soil.
Sure you can. You can even water your vegetables with it. The soap may help with insect control.
I used to do that before we got rain barrells. You can also put five gallon buckets in there when you take a shower. You'd be amazed how quickly they fill up!
SURE YOU CAN WATER IS ALL THE SAME EVEN IF IT HAS SOMETHING IN IT
Yes. However, sorry to disagree with you Don, but bath and laundry water is probably not best on your vegetables. The salts (alkaline) from the soaps and detergents can actually turn your soil against the acidity that vegies crave.
But on most of your flowering plants you shouldn't need to worry.
Good luck...both petunias and impatiens like plenty of water. If this is a frequent problem, try planting more "drought tolerant" flowers. However, to answer your question, go ahead and use the bath water. Also, water from the washing machine if not too soapy. Try putting the bath tub plug in while you're taking a shower so you can re-use that water too.
It depends on where you are, but for the most part gray water (what flows through your drains) is illegal to use on landscapes. This isn't to say that people don't do it, I have a professor that does, but he has a special system he installed to ensure it works correctly and prevents sewage water from backing through into the system. You can use your baby's bath water, as long as the detergents you use for the shampoo/soap/bubbles is biodegradable and contains no added chemicals. So, the stuff you would buy at a co-op (read the label).
Also, you may want to consider other alternative strategies to deal with the water restriction. Such strategies as providing shade, using drip irrigation, and irrigation strategies (such as performing efficiency tests on your watering practices whether by underground or hand to ensure you don't overwater.
If I didn't quite answer your question or you want to know more, let me know, this is off the top of my head, but if I dig into my resources, I could probably find you a better explanation. Good luck!
I think that's a great idea! The soap won't hurt anything. Sometimes I use a little soapy water to get rid of bugs. (Just don't throw out the baby with the bath water!:)
yes, just make sure it's room temperature and its clean water.
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