If you’re a gardener, you know that if you’ve been watering your plants using hard water, it’s likely not going to do them any good. That’s because hard water contains dissolved minerals that build up around the base of plant roots, which can lead to a loss of nutrients for plants and stunted growth.

When water is softened with a water softener, it goes through a process called ion exchange that pulls calcium and magnesium out of the water and replaces them with sodium or potassium. The result is that the water you’re using to water your plants is much more pure and safe.

But the ion exchange process also removes all the beneficial minerals that your garden needs to grow healthy and strong. This can be a real problem, especially for clay soils.

There are many ways to make soft water for your outdoor plants. One is to use a water softener, which can be easily installed by your local Culligan Water expert.

Another way to make soft water for your garden is by collecting rainwater and mixing it with your soft water. This will help to significantly reduce the amount of sodium in your soft water.

Collecting rainwater can be done in a barrel or a plastic garbage can at the bottom of your downspout, or with a dehumidifier or air conditioner that has a water reservoir in it. You can also purchase a reverse osmosis system to use with your soft water, which will effectively remove all of the sodium in the water as well.

You can also boil your own water for a quick, easy and effective method of softening it. The boiling process allows the salt to dissipate, which is why it’s often used with peat moss to add tannins and acids to water.

Some people choose to add a squirt of baking soda to their water when they bathe, to create a milder soap and shampoo mixture that will rinse away easily without leaving residue on your skin. You can also add a few tablespoons of fish tank filter charcoal to your water before drinking it, which will remove iron and other minerals that are harmful to your health.

Adding a drop of vinegar to the water you’re watering your plants can help to balance out the pH and reduce the hardness of the water. It’s also helpful for preventing pests from growing.

There are also a variety of natural ways to get soft water for your plants, including the addition of porous materials and soil additives. These methods can be helpful for those who want to keep a close eye on their water usage and are looking for an all-natural way to get their plants the water they need.

Depending on the type of plants you have, there are several different ways to get soft water for your garden. But for most people, it’s best to stick with water that’s naturally soft, such as rainwater.