[cawdor2001]

I have set up 2 IBC's on my plot (1000 litres each) to collect rainwater off the shed roof and be self sufficient if you like with water.  One of the guys on site says he does not like using rainwater as it creates a green mould layer on the soil due to the acidity of the water.  Any comments?


Cawdor

[noshed]

That tends to happen on seed trays I have found but not on the open ground. I don't think it does any harm anyway. Rainwater is slightly acidic.
Here endeth my entire knowledge of water butts.

[Trillium]

I notice a green mold layer on other people's gardens, but only because they don't hoe or work the soil much, nor amend. They also have very enclosed, airless gardens. I doubt it's anything to do with the type of water, considering rainwater is a bit softer than tap and these people are strictly tap users. In France they try to use nothing but rainwater and you don't see 'green' soil over there. Mind, they do hoe more often than most because that's the joy of gardening (in their books, not mine   ) I wouldn't worry about it - collect what you can and your plants will love you.

[cawdor2001]

thanks.  I use rain water for my greenhouse plants and some of the compost in there does go green but usually when weather is overcast and cool so they sit in water too long.  Doing my bit to try and conserve water at home on on the lottie.

Cawdor

[vegmandan]

I have set up 2 IBC's on my plot (1000 litres each) to collect rainwater off the shed roof and be self sufficient if you like with water.  One of the guys on site says he does not like using rainwater as it creates a green mould layer on the soil due to the acidity of the water.  Any comments?


Cawdor

I can't understand the other guy on your site not liking rainwater.

What does he do when it rains ? put a big umbrella up over his plot ?

The reason that you might get a green film when using water from water butts is that when you leave the lid off the natural algae tends to bloom due to the sunlight.

It'll do now harm in any case.

If you keep the lid on and the light out then you'll have crystal clear water.

It's got to be better than tap water that's full of chlorine anyhow.

[gobs]

Collected, standing long rain water can be a problem for seedlings but green surface mould on soils is harmless, as Tril suggests it forms on undisturbed areas as a natural crust.