This seems a bit of a daft question but I'll ask it anyway...
We have a few water butts that came with the plot and they don't have lids on (to maximise rain collection I assume). Now the thing is, they're full at the moment but the water has a distinctly green tinge to it, I imagine because it's been sat around for months etc...
My question is, is it safe to use? Or should I be trying to use fresh clean water for my plants?
QuoteOr should I be trying to use fresh clean water for my plants?
If the plants you are referring to are new seedlings then use fresh clean water to prevent disease.
If I were you I would empty a barrel at a time and allow it to refill with fresh rainwater before summer when the stored water will be needed most.
By doing them one at a time you will always have two and a bit barrels full, in case there isn't enough rain to fill all three by the time you need it.
Cut a piece of thin wood to act as a lid but leave a small entrance for rain water to get in to fill it. You will need to place a brick or other heavy object on top to stop the lid blowing off in windy weather. This will help your water stay cleaner for longer.
I'd just use it myself. The one possible problem I see, which I've had myself, is that the algae are good food for midge larvae. I once had an algal bloom in a water butt, which was followed shortly after by a plague of midges.
Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on April 01, 2008, 19:37:03
I'd just use it myself.
I agree. I only have 2 barrels covered, the other 6 are open. I use them all for watering and have never had any problems.
You can use Jeyes Fliud in your water butt to keep it fresh and to stop mosquitoes breeding. :D
Debbie
also a good tip I got was to put a lump of charcoal in the bottom keeps the water fresh
Citrox claims to be good for disinfecting water butts and environmentally safe.
Cheers guys, I think I'll try a combo of different methods. I'll empty one and let it re-fill and then perhaps try putting something in the others to help the water... :)