Gardeners have been warned not to take part in a viral watering hack that experts have said can kill plants. Watering plants is something that gardeners have to do daily when summer comes around as plants can esily dehydrate in the sunshine. Many just use the garden hose to do this but there are others who use hacks that recycle water in a bid to be kinder to the environment. However, there is one hack that people have been warned against.
Sophie Willoughby, a garden expert and RHS-trained horticulturalist has teamed up with My Home Improvements to share her expert gardening tips and revealed the habits that could be “killing” your plants. She said that people who use dish water on their plants are putting them in danger.
She said: “It’s not about how much effort you put in, it’s about the right kind of effort. There are little habits people repeat without realising they’re stressing their plants or damaging the soil underneath.”
Willoughby said that reusing dishwater often does more harm than good. Most washing-up liquids contain detergents and chemicals that strip healthy microbes from the soil and leave behind residues that can block water absorption, she explains.
Gardeners have been advised to reuse grey water only if it free of soap. Another great way to be eco-friendly when it comes to watering your plants this summer is to utilise ainwater from a water butt, which is a far safer option and completely free.
Dave and Shalini from Oxford began to use left over dish water in their garden and have regretted the decision. “We thought we were being smart and eco-friendly,” says Dave. Over time, their lawn became patchy, and their roses started to wilt. “Turns out the soap was stripping the soil of the good stuff.”
The couple said that it took a full soil reset and professional help to restore their garden.
Among Willoughby’s other gardening tips is to avoid over-watering garden plants. More water doesn’t always mean more growth, she explained, and watering plants too much can actually lead to root rot.
Additionally, the expert warned against cutting grass too short. This is because mowing your grass too low weakens it, exposes the roots, and invites weeds to take over. Plus, it makes it more vulnerable during dry spells.
She says that gardeners should never cut more than a third of the grass height in one go.