Had to pick between a rain barrel and a greywater system for my garden

Last spring I was setting up my backyard garden in Portland and I had to choose between a $60 rain barrel setup or a greywater diverter for my washing machine. I went with the rain barrel cause it seemed simpler. Hooked it up to my downspout with a hose and a spigot from Home Depot. After a month I noticed my tomatoes and peppers were loving the rainwater way more than tap water. But then we hit a dry spell in July and the barrel ran dry in like 3 days. Kicking myself for not going with the greywater option cause that would've kept my plants watered through the drought. Anyone else tried those greywater kits for laundry water?

3 comments

3 Comments

kevin_harris7817d ago

Greywater soap can hurt your soil over time. Rain barrels cheaper anyway.

rileyp4917d ago

Yeah totally, I've heard the same thing. Switched to rain barrels last year and my garden's way happier now.

emery1917d ago

@kevin_harris78 I get the soil concern but that dry spell hit hard, right? You said greywater soap can hurt soil over time - do you mean from regular laundry detergent or all soaps? I'm wondering if the eco-friendly detergents would make a difference.