In many areas of the country, people deal with hard water every day. Water softeners, although banned or restricted in some states and communities, are still the conventional method to soften water. However, since these devices produce softened water for the entire household, many water their lawns and landscapes with it. Soft water contains a lot of salt. Is it dangerous for your garden? Our landscaping specialists in West Chester, OH, are here to discuss such matters today.

What is Softened Water?

The process of water softening implies the treatment of water with sodium to remove the minerals that render the water hard and produce limescale. Water softeners function with salt pellets.

Is Soft Water Dangerous for Plants?

Our landscaping specialists in West Chester, OH, insist you should not water your lawn or landscape with softened water. Here are some reasons why our landscape irrigation specialists consider soft water bad for your outdoor vegetation:

  • Grasses and plants taking up too much saltwater will eventually die of thirst, as the softened water fools them into believing they absorbed more water than they actually have;
  • Salt builds up in the soil over time. Salty soils feature significant chemical composition and pH changes to inhibit the growth of new plants;
  • The sodium in the soil may interfere with the fertilization programs implemented by your landscaping specialists in West Chester, OH, rendering them useless. Moreover, the salt in the soil can react with some lawn treatments and lead to lawn burns, for instance.

If you have valuable ornamentals on your property, you should refrain from watering them with softened water.

How to Circumvent the Problem of Softened Water in Your Garden?

If you do rely on your water softener inside the house to solve the problem of hard water, you should consider some alternatives when it comes to lawn and landscape irrigation. Our landscaping experts in West Chester OH have the following suggestions for you:

  • Most softeners have a bypass valve that allows you to temporarily bypass the softening system and use your home’s regular water to irrigate the lawn and landscape;
  • Collect rainwater and use it from time to time to dilute the salt accumulating in the soil;
  • Talk to your landscaping company about alternative solutions.

Our landscape experts in West Chester OH can help you with the installation of a spigot outside the house that allows you to hose the garden with water from the water line before it reaches the softening system.