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Green water in butt. Safe or not?

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  • #1

    Green water in butt. Safe or not?

    The lid was off my water butt for a good while earlier this year, and the water went quite green. I have added barley straw as I believe this will help clear the water of the algae causing the discoluration, and this seems to be working. The water doesn't smell to pleasant, but never having used a a water butt before, don't know if this would happen even the lid had been fitted at all times.
    Is this water safe to use on my veg beds when I go away, ( I have an irrigation kit) or should I siphon it all down the drain and start again?
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  • #2
    It will be fine on your veg patch.
    I'd be watering my compost heaps too, to rot them down quicker.

    Just don't use it on baby seedlings as fungals in the dirty water can kill them
    Last edited by Two_Sheds; 30-06-2009, 07:31 AM.
    All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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    • #3
      the best way to get the water clear again after its gone green is to put the lid on and leave it. The algae will soon die and sink to the bottom once it stops getting its energy from the sun.

      I suggest you do what Two Sheds suggested and use the water on your veg. I'd get the butt completely empty if you could though and clean it out and start again.

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      • #4
        My water butts have stinky water, although they are covered I think some leaves got in and have rotted. I figured I would use it on my flowers rather than veggies, and all is well and the flowers (in pots) are doing nicely so it can't be doing any harm.

        I hate to waste water so I was determined not to just throw it away. As soon as it's empty I'll give it a good clean out and start again.

        Angela

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        • #5
          i put a good squirt of ordinary washing up liquid in my butts,it has done the trick lovely,and no nasty smell
          Last edited by lottie dolly; 30-06-2009, 02:58 PM.
          sigpicAnother nutter ,wife,mother, nan and nanan,love my growing places,seed collection and sharing,also one of these

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          • #6
            Originally posted by lottie dolly View Post
            i put a good squirt of ordinary washing up liquid in my butts,it has done the trick lovely,and no nasty smell
            Won't it harm the plants though?

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Dynamo View Post
              Won't it harm the plants though?
              Means you can harvest the veg ready washed!
              My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
              to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

              Diversify & prosper


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              • #8
                Lol Lol Lol Lol
                Last edited by teakdesk; 30-06-2009, 07:51 PM.
                The proof of the growing is in the eating.
                Leave Rotten Fruit.
                Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potasium - potash.
                Autant de têtes, autant d'avis!!!!!
                Il n'est si méchant pot qui ne trouve son couvercle.

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                • #9
                  I never have water in my two butt's that long for it to go green.

                  It's will be better than tap water, so no problems.

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