Grey water

[french frank]

Just checking what the RHS had to say about watering plants with grey water as a neighbour queried whether washing up water was all right or whether it contained soap.

Looks like it can mostly be used judiciously in times of drought, though not for veg. As I have a back yard where most plants are grown in small pots, watering regularly is ultra important. And grey water can be especially beneficial. So most of my kitchen water will get reused ((not washing machine, don't have dishwasher), so a mix of Ecover washing-up liquid (plus a few coffee grounds) will be conserved and used where needed in the evenings. My little silver birch (as it turned out to be) in the whisky barrel may need special attention.

[cloughie]

Just checking what the RHS had to say about watering plants with grey water as a neighbour queried whether washing up water was all right or whether it contained soap.

Looks like it can mostly be used judiciously in times of drought, though not for veg. As I have a back yard where most plants are grown in small pots, watering regularly is ultra important. And grey water can be especially beneficial. So most of my kitchen water will get reused ((not washing machine, don't have dishwasher), so a mix of Ecover washing-up liquid (plus a few coffee grounds) will be conserved and used where needed in the evenings. My little silver birch (as it turned out to be) in the whisky barrel may need special attention.

We are using washing up water mainly on a large hydrangea which is not getting its fair share of any water from the soil being rather close to a bigger tree (acea).

[oddoneout]

Just checking what the RHS had to say about watering plants with grey water as a neighbour queried whether washing up water was all right or whether it contained soap.

Looks like it can mostly be used judiciously in times of drought, though not for veg. As I have a back yard where most plants are grown in small pots, watering regularly is ultra important. And grey water can be especially beneficial. So most of my kitchen water will get reused ((not washing machine, don't have dishwasher), so a mix of Ecover washing-up liquid (plus a few coffee grounds) will be conserved and used where needed in the evenings. My little silver birch (as it turned out to be) in the whisky barrel may need special attention.

The main things to be aware of in using kitchen water are the detergent, the amount of grease (particularly of animal origin) and food matter (attracts flies and larger pests and can get smelly), and not to store it more than briefly as it can quickly become unpleasant. Some years ago friends who used a water butt found that out - they had reasoned that rather making several trips with the water they could store it and then do a big watering where it was most needed. I think they had previously stored water from emptying the bath but hadn't realised that washing up water isn't quite the same...

[french frank]

We are using washing up water mainly on a large hydrangea which is not getting its fair share of any water from the soil being rather close to a bigger tree (acea).

Yes, my 99% lifeless young hydrangea has been brought inside (conservatory conditions) and is being kept watered from the bottom. Still in intensive care but growing.

[eighthobstruction]

....Oh sorry thought this thread was about Liz Truss....

[Serial_Apologist]

....Oh sorry thought this thread was about Liz Truss....

[richardfinegold]

My wife is the gardener, but I do know that yellow water is to be avoided

[Dave2002]

My wife is the gardener, but I do know that yellow water is to be avoided

Depends. I think one of my older relatives had good success with tomatoes - though there can be a danger of "burning" the plants.

[oddoneout]

Depends. I think one of my older relatives had good success with tomatoes - though there can be a danger of "burning" the plants.

Dilution, as with any fertiliser, or compost activator.
Which reminds me - my compost heaps are probably not working, as they'll be too dry now.

[edashtav]

Wasn’t a pot-boiler written about getting success with Grey Water?
‘Fifty Shades of Grey’, I recall?

[kernelbogey]

....Oh sorry thought this thread was about Liz Truss....

Oh - but she repeatedly says 'I have been very clear...'.

[gradus]

We always empty our Truss water from the washing up bowl on to whatever needs watering, so far it hasn't caused discernable harm, in fact they buck up before flopping again when they've dried out.

[eighthobstruction]

We always empty our Truss water from the washing up bowl on to whatever needs watering, so far it hasn't caused discernable harm, in fact they buck up before flopping again when they've dried out.

....good for all of you....just imagine [if you like] all the water that goes away as you wait for the hot water to come through (mine has a long way to come from cellar at back to 2nd floor bathroom at the front....)....and I am sure some people draw the hot water and then draw cold to required temp'....Yes, Truss water a possible term....but, what a about all the [grant] Shapp that keeps accumulating {I'm told you shouldn't put it on the compost heap....}....

[Serial_Apologist]

We always empty our Truss water from the washing up bowl on to whatever needs watering, so far it hasn't caused discernable harm, in fact they buck up before flopping again when they've dried out.

I think I may well have lost two much loved potted fuschias on our "sun roof" in these past 3 days... remarkable how quickly and suddenly they give up if either too exposed to solar heat or insufficiently watered.

[gradus]

Great thing about fuschias is their seeming preference for some shade, maybe that would help them to recover?