Q. We have a vegetable garden and an ornamental
garden. We didn’t think about it, but we
just installed a water softener. This
softened water also comes out of the garden hoses. Is this water bad for our plants?
garden. We didn’t think about it, but we
just installed a water softener. This
softened water also comes out of the garden hoses. Is this water bad for our plants?
A. Yes it will be a problem if you water with
sodium-based salts from the water softener in it. Sodium is toxic to plants.
This inexpensive salt used in water softeners also contains chlorine which is also
toxic to plants. A double whammy.
sodium-based salts from the water softener in it. Sodium is toxic to plants.
This inexpensive salt used in water softeners also contains chlorine which is also
toxic to plants. A double whammy.
You have
three options. The first is to run a new water line and hose bib from a point
upstream of the water softener and use this water for irrigating. Secondly, install
a hose bib from the irrigation line used for the garden since the water supply
for outside irrigation is connected before the water softener.
three options. The first is to run a new water line and hose bib from a point
upstream of the water softener and use this water for irrigating. Secondly, install
a hose bib from the irrigation line used for the garden since the water supply
for outside irrigation is connected before the water softener.
The
third option is to use potassium-based water softening salts rather than sodium-based
salts. These water softener salts are more expensive but less damaging and will
still soften the water. You’ll find this type of salt for water softeners anywhere
that sells water softener salt.