If the continuing sunshine has persuaded you to have a go at planting your own grape vine then you’ll pleased to hear an Australian study has found a way for you to not only beat this summer’s inevitable hosepipe ban but save money on your water bills too: filtered wastewater saved in a water butt is healthier for vines than mains water straight from the garden tap.
It seems soil irrigated with wastewater that has been filtered, treated and disinfected has fewer harmful pathogens and higher microbial activity than soil watered with mains water.
Reclaimed waste water, or greywater as it is more commonly known in the UK, is water that’s first been used for washing. Washing leaves behind soap residue which tends to make the water alkaline (having a pH above neutral tap water’s 7), which is good news for soil.
Alkaline water not only helps soil to set free elements needed for healthy plant and vine growth but it also discourages pests (slugs, leatherjackets and wireworms all hate alkaline conditions) and soil diseases (particularly club root, the bane of brassicas).
And if, like me, your house and garden is sited slap bang on top of sticky seam of orange clay then you’ll be pleased to learn soap suds also help break up this up into smaller more manageable lumps.
So as well as your grapevines, your carnations, wallflowers, delphiniums, cabbages and Brussel sprouts will all enjoy greywater. For more information visit Renewable Energy UK http://www.reuk.co.uk/Greywater.htm
After all that lugging about of watering cans some refreshment will be necessary. Can I interest you in the following bottles of wine?
PG Wine Reviews
La Nonna Spanish Rioja Joven 2013
£4.29 Tesco
Light plum and raspberry flavours. Would work as a replacement for rosé if served cool.
Wise Men Miranda Australian Chardonnay Semillon 2011
£5.49 Tesco
Refreshing flavours of pineapple and orange. Only 11% alcohol too.
Cleefs Classic Collection South African Chenin Blanc 2014
£8.49 SA Wines Online
Great wine – grapefruit, gooseberries and lime. Tastes very like Sauvignon Blanc but better.
Mister Shiraz Chilean Shiraz 2013
£9.99 Majestic
Slightly spicy and peppery. Decent plonk.
Castellani Italian Chianti Classico 2011
£9.99 Tesco
Quality Chianti with light and dark notes. Expect redcurrant and cocoa flavours.
Tweet me a wine question @huxelrebe
© Paula Goddard 2015 www.paulagoddard.com
