I may not look like a killer, but I am.
Now, before you check the Most Wanted List to see if I’m on it, rest assured that I’m not talking about homicide. I’m talking about darn near killing my fruit forest!
The culprit? Me!
I also had a partner in crime that came in a gallon jug. That would be the laundry soap.
After several years of looking at fruit trees that appeared lackluster — with fruit production to match — I decided to read the ingredients. What I found shocked me.
There I was, using a soap that was promoted as being biodegradable, but the ingredients included three sodium compounds. Very toxic to garden plants! It was time to switch soaps!
Nowadays, I use the Oasis brand for washing my clothes and the dishes, and it works great. Even better, it’s formulated to be greywater harvesting-friendly.
But, alas, the company doesn’t list a retail network on its website.
Not to worry, your friendly neighborhood water harvester has you covered. Here in Tucson, you can buy Oasis at the Food Conspiracy Co-op and The Rain Store.
So, the moral of this story is: Don’t be like Martha.
Start using greywater harvesting-friendly soap from the beginning. On wash day, your emitters (like the one shown above) will be helping your plants, not harming them.
Another Learning Opportunity!
Check out Martha’s new audiobook and eBook, Water Harvesting 101. It will help you get your water harvesting journey off to a strong start.