Grey Water

[bernieh]

Oct 31, 2012 1:23:36 GMT Cherry said:

Super description of the use of grey water Bernie.

Thanks Cherry, we've been using our grey water here for many many years. It just makes so much sense.

[Tel]

Oct 30, 2012 10:13:28 GMT bernieh said:

I garden in a dry tropics zone in Australia and use 'grey water' all the time in the garden beds. We have metered water supply here, which means we pay for every drop we use.

Grey water is a valuable resource. It's the water that comes from household activities like dishwashers, washing machines, kitchen sinks, showers and baths. We have been re-using our grey water for many years.

The only possible problem associated with using grey water is the type of dishwashing liquid, washing powder or soap that's used. Some soaps and detergents are harmful to plants. If however these items are biodegradable, all natural, and NOT sodium-based and NOT phosphorous-based, then they're safe for plants.

Check the labels on soaps and detergents. I did a bit of research and found eco-friendly products that were safe to use and have stuck with them ever since.

All grey water should be applied to the soil, under the mulch, and NOT sprayed onto foliage.

I've used grey water on so many different flowering plants and never had a problem.

DO NOT use greywater on vegetables or herbs that are to be eaten raw though. DO NOT use grey water that has disinfectants or bleaches in it, or grey water that has been used to wash things like soiled nappies or clothes.

I hope this has been helpful.

Very good advise bernieh.

Not used greywater since the last time there was a hosepipe ban.
Our water is not on a meter, if we were on a meter, i would make more of a effort to use greywater, if we ever get another dry summer again.
We pay water rates on our allotment rent, this is shown separately on the bill. The only water i have used on the allotment this summer, is to fill the kettle. ;D

[marynz]

Yes, they say to use soap flakes in the washing machine.

That is your national Dahlia association, that site, and it has several image galleries of cultivars which perform well in Australia. The local branches can put you in touch with local sellers of quality Dahlias, or members who will sell you tubers, or tell you about their own tuber sales. I am not a member, but I emailed to find out about some of the cultivars, and have learnt that the regulations make it extremely difficult to get them from Australia to New Zealand.

This Hillier Tanunda is one which I would not mind getting my hands on. If you grow it, post lots of photos! www.dahliasaustralia.org.au/gallerycultivars/#/?album=8&zoom=119

[Lou78W]

Oct 31, 2012 18:30:49 GMT marynz said:

Yes, they say to use soap flakes in the washing machine.

That is your national Dahlia association, that site, and it has several image galleries of cultivars which perform well in Australia. The local branches can put you in touch with local sellers of quality Dahlias, or members who will sell you tubers, or tell you about their own tuber sales. I am not a member, but I emailed to find out about some of the cultivars, and have learnt that the regulations make it extremely difficult to get them from Australia to New Zealand.


That is no surprise Mary...

This Hillier Tanunda is one which I would not mind getting my hands on. If you grow it, post lots of photos! www.dahliasaustralia.org.au/gallerycultivars/#/?album=8&zoom=119

[marynz]

There must be pathogens in Oz that can thrive here and would not thrive in cold climates. It is relatively easy to shift dormant tubers from Australia to the UK. It is also relatively easy after they have grown in the UK for a season and met phytosanitary requirements there to shift dormant tubers here. But straight from Australia to here, the risks must be greater, so in recent years all new Australian Dahlia cultivars entering New Zealand have done so via another country, and at least a year after they left Australia.

[bernieh]

Oct 31, 2012 13:49:47 GMT Tel said:

Oct 30, 2012 10:13:28 GMT bernieh said:

I garden in a dry tropics zone in Australia and use 'grey water' all the time in the garden beds. We have metered water supply here, which means we pay for every drop we use.

Grey water is a valuable resource. It's the water that comes from household activities like dishwashers, washing machines, kitchen sinks, showers and baths. We have been re-using our grey water for many years.

The only possible problem associated with using grey water is the type of dishwashing liquid, washing powder or soap that's used. Some soaps and detergents are harmful to plants. If however these items are biodegradable, all natural, and NOT sodium-based and NOT phosphorous-based, then they're safe for plants.

Check the labels on soaps and detergents. I did a bit of research and found eco-friendly products that were safe to use and have stuck with them ever since.

All grey water should be applied to the soil, under the mulch, and NOT sprayed onto foliage.

I've used grey water on so many different flowering plants and never had a problem.

DO NOT use greywater on vegetables or herbs that are to be eaten raw though. DO NOT use grey water that has disinfectants or bleaches in it, or grey water that has been used to wash things like soiled nappies or clothes.

I hope this has been helpful.

Very good advise bernieh.

Not used greywater since the last time there was a hosepipe ban.
Our water is not on a meter, if we were on a meter, i would make more of a effort to use greywater, if we ever get another dry summer again.
We pay water rates on our allotment rent, this is shown separately on the bill. The only water i have used on the allotment this summer, is to fill the kettle. ;D

Living on one of the driest continents on earth, we're used to paying for every drop of water we use. Of course, the price has been increasing steadily, and these days it's an expensive commodity.

I also happen to live and garden in a dry tropics zone which means we have a dry season - no rain - for anything up to nine months of the year. It would be astronomically expensive for me to try and keep garden beds going without using our grey water. I give up on watering the grassed areas. Those just dry up and turn brown until the rainy season arrives.

[bernieh]

Oct 31, 2012 18:30:49 GMT marynz said:

Yes, they say to use soap flakes in the washing machine.

That is your national Dahlia association, that site, and it has several image galleries of cultivars which perform well in Australia. The local branches can put you in touch with local sellers of quality Dahlias, or members who will sell you tubers, or tell you about their own tuber sales. I am not a member, but I emailed to find out about some of the cultivars, and have learnt that the regulations make it extremely difficult to get them from Australia to New Zealand.

This Hillier Tanunda is one which I would not mind getting my hands on. If you grow it, post lots of photos! www.dahliasaustralia.org.au/gallerycultivars/#/?album=8&zoom=119

I think it's extremely difficult to get any plants out of Oz. Of course it's the same getting things into the country as well.

I haven't been a big fan of Dahlias, Marynz. I've only grown a few from the seedlings they sell in the nurseries here. But having looked at the site, I think I might be tempted to give some of their lovelies a go.

[Cherry]

I managed Bernie. My case was inspected too and I had to pay duty on the aeroplane parts, but only £54. I had a real jobsworth stop me. When he got to my personal underwear I performed a bit and he just felt for drugs then. He counted the parts and rings packed with pants and saw that they tallied with the receipt I was carrying. The annoying thing about this is that I showed the receipt at Townsville, and was told I may be stopped at Brisbane, and I could deal with it there, but I don't think it was x-rayed there.

I would not even try to take anything into Australia, especially as I had my polo mints taken from my bag one year in Cairns. I just rely on the toothbrush now.

[bernieh]

Nov 3, 2012 7:49:39 GMT Cherry said:

I managed Bernie. My case was inspected too and I had to pay duty on the aeroplane parts, but only £54. I had a real jobsworth stop me. When he got to my personal underwear I performed a bit and he just felt for drugs then. He counted the parts and rings packed with pants and saw that they tallied with the receipt I was carrying. The annoying thing about this is that I showed the receipt at Townsville, and was told I may be stopped at Brisbane, and I could deal with it there, but I don't think it was x-rayed there.

I would not even try to take anything into Australia, especially as I had my polo mints taken from my bag one year in Cairns. I just rely on the toothbrush now.

Oh dear, I can just imagine how slightly embarrassing it would be to have a strange man going through your unmentionables! Glad to hear you didn't have anything illegal in there, lol!