Fatal Mistakes with organics?

[Feenix]

Hello,
I am just getting serious about organics and will be transplanting 3 sprouts into airpots filled with a live mix. I cheated and bought it from a farmer who uses it himself, but don't hold that against me.
Well, this morning I almost made a potentially fatal mistake when I decided it is time to hydrate the pots in preparation. I have been catching rainwater for various uses and the best place for that is as it comes off the roof. The shingle roof. Shingle roofs that have the ceramic chips also have a fungicide included. I'm not saying it would have instantly wiped out the colony in my pots, but over time it can.

I'm wondering if y'all have any other things to never ever do?
Thank you.

 

[Nuggz]

Feenix, you are absolutely right! Also collecting rainwater from roofs with asbestos shingles is not a good idea for your plants.


But there is a rather simple fix for you folks that have rain barrels. And it's a fairly easy DIY fix. The answer is to incorporate a slow sand filter into your roof water collection system. I'm not talking about the fast sand filters that are generally used to filter the water in swimming pools; that's something that is completely different and not recommended for filtering roof water.


You can build a decent slow sand filter with a good plastic barrel, some rocks and sand, an inoculant of microorganisms that clean up water, and a couple of PVC pipe fittings.


Here are some links that explain why you need one and show you how to do it:


http://knowledgeweighsnothing.com/make-a-diy-bio-sand-water-filter-for-safe-drinking-water/


http://www.shared-source-initiative.com/biosand_filter/biosand.html


http://www.reuk.co.uk/Sand-Filters-for-Greywater.htm

 

[robbio]

Nice info nuggz.Peace.

 

[Feenix]

Feenix, you are absolutely right! Also collecting rainwater from roofs with asbestos shingles is not a good idea for your plants.

Thanks Nuggz, that is some good stuff. No matter what the roof. There's always birds n bugs.

 

[Nuggz]

As far as I know, even metropolitan water districts are turning to slow sand because it is so efficient. And they've made thousands and thousands of these units in third world nations where potable water is in short supply. Big hydroponic greenhouses also have turned to slow sand because it can even filter out water borne viral diseases that effect plants.

It's also a favorite among preppers trying to get ready for the SHTF days. It's always a good idea to know how to put one of these filters together. You just never know what kind of cards the world is gonna deal you...

 

[A4]

Just make a funnel on top of your barrel and move it away from your roof. You should be good. There really isn't much to be aware of, just use what is natural to your location. Birds and bugs don't bother me. I have tadpoles swimming in my rainwater pretty often and have even had a couple of frogs jump out of my soil, scared to bejeezuz out of me but didn't bother the soil or plants at all. Numer one rule, don't let your soil dry out, you don't want a wet/dry cycle with true organics, keep it moist constantly. Not saturated but moist. Water every day when the lights come on. Mulch the top of your containers with something, anything, to keep the moisture in the soil. Sprinkle a little BT on top of your soil before fungus gnats set it, it is easier to keep them away than to get rid of them. Find a product called azamax and keep it on hand for when you need it. The first year of organic growing you are going to notice a lot of pests you didn't see using chemicals. Mulch your container, keep your soil moist, did I already say that? Yes, well it is important. Don't over water, there is no need to flush natural soil unless something goes bad wrong. A little run off is good to know you are watering deeply but don't get carried away. You want to keep the organisms in the container, not outside it.

That is about all I can think of at the moment. There are several of us growing true organics, not bottled organics, PM if you have questions. That is what we are here for. Best of luck my natural growing friend, may the microbes smile upon your grows.