Reverse osmosis removes all minerals from water, meaning that your plants won’t receive important minerals that they need like potassium and nitrogen. Be sure to add these minerals back into your plants’ diet with nutrient rich soils and fertilizers.
You can by a countertop distillation system, or distill your own water with a regular cooking pot and heat safe bowl. Most distillation systems purify 1 gallon (3 liters) of water at a time, which takes about 4 to 6 hours.
Make sure to consult your soft water treatment system’s manual for instructions on how to make the switch. Some systems are built in a way that you cannot switch from sodium to potassium. [6] X Research source
Do not water any vegetables or fruits with rainwater unless you purify it first. Rainwater is not potable, meaning it is contaminated with germs and bacteria that make it unsafe for consumption. You can also choose to dilute your soft water with rainwater.
You can also set up a sprinkler system with untreated water to leach your soil over time. In general, about 6 inches (15 cm) of water will reduce 50% of the salt in your soil. [11] X Trustworthy Source University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Division of the University of Georgia focused on research and community education Go to source Before you start leaching your lawn, test your soil salinity with an electrical conductivity (EC) meter. This will help you identify how salty your soil is and how much purified water you need to properly leach it.
Soft, salty water also reduces plant growth, damaging their roots and leaves.
Always plant your plants in pots with good drainage holes so that your plant does not sit in the water.
