Why Rainwater is Good for your Garden
It's all about science
You’re not imagining it, rain perks up your garden more than devoted efforts with your hose
Unlocking Soil Micronutrients:
When rainwater comes into contact with the CO2 in the air, it gives it a slightly acidic pH. Most topwater is slightly alkaline. Here in central Texas, we have highly alkaline soil. Our soils are high in clay and get little rainfall. What we do get is filtered through the porous limestone of the Edwards Aquifer. The resulting tap water has a pH of 8.82 or higher. Plants are always negotiating with their environment to draw nutritiom from the soil. Certain micronutrients found there like zinc, manganese, copper, and iron can only be absorbed by a plant when the surrounding pH is in the 6-7.5 range, so that flood of acidic water lowers the soil pH and allows that nutrition to get to the plant, juicing them up like your hose never could.
Nitrogen Boost:
Nitrogen is a macronutrient essential for the growth of lush, green foliage. Water vapor absorbs nitrogen from the atmosphere and delivers it to the soil.
Lightning’s nitrogen super blast:
Lightning storms create nitrogen dioxide, which turns into nitrate, the most accessible nitrogen form for plants, making them perkier post-storm.
Washing Away Chemicals:
Rainwater is free of salts and added chemicals like chlorine and fluoride that gradually build up in the soil from tapwater. When we get several inches of rain, that chemical-free water can push all those built up salts and chemicals below the root zone, so plants get a reset and a better chance at that sweet nutrient absorption.
A clean shower
The whole plant gets to enjoy those chemical-free raindrops, washing away dirt, pollutants, and mineral, enhancing photosynthesis.
Yes, a rainwater barrel is a great idea. Unless you’re a spider in the wrong place at the wrong time.
