Can anyone help me understand the pro's and con's of watering my garden with water that has gone through a water softener. The closest faucet I have is tied into the household line that receives the soft water. I have a faucet on the other side of the house that is before the softener and therefore not "soft". I live on the north side of San Antonio using Bexar Met Water and it is very very "hard". The soil is heavily composted.

So you have a choice of applying calcium laden water to calcium soil or slightly sodium water to calcium soil. I'd go with the softened water if I could afford it.

According to my favorite soil tester, K Chandler, there is supposed to be balance among sodium, calcium, and magnesium in the soil. Using softened water seems to be an easy way to work toward the balance. Otherwise you're way out of balance toward calcium.

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David Hall
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Dirt Doctor Lawns Forum