Hi, recently i germinated multiple tropical almonds (Terminalia catappa) and they are already planted on their permanent spots, and given that i run out of room for trees, ive decided to continue with tomatoes, peppers, melons, etc.But know looking more in depth about water quaity for plants, i just keep finding contradictory information about hard water. Some sites say is terrible others that is harmless. One youtuber says is okay but more frequent watering is required to wash out the excess minerals in the soil.

For context: i live in a suburb that was built far away from the main city, surrounded by high grass and the ocean to the north. So we depend on aquifers, not in a river like the actual city. Im very lucky and forever grateful that it rains a lot in my region (specially in summer with heavy thunder storms) but spring is a dry hell hole so im worried about that season. Tropical almonds dont care about salinity as they live just fine in beaches but i can say the same about other plants, what you guys think?

https://extension.umn.edu/yard...

Found this: Water quality makes a difference
What is in your water can affect houseplant health. Municipal water may be treated with fluoride and other additives that can negatively affect some plants like orchids and peace lilies. Chlorine is a micronutrient required by plants, and the amount of chlorine in most drinking water is below any toxic levels for plants. Chlorine also dissipates when exposed to air. If you have a municipal water source, consider saving rainwater or buying filtered water for watering sensitive plants.

Hard water can result in mineral buildup on soil surfaces. Avoid this by using water low in minerals and flushing plant soil with pure water every 4 to 6 months. Repot plants if the soil becomes crusty and scrub pots to remove mineral buildup.

crawgarden said: https://extension.umn.edu/yard...

Found this: Water quality makes a difference
What is in your water can affect houseplant health. Municipal water may be treated with fluoride and other additives that can negatively affect some plants like orchids and peace lilies. Chlorine is a micronutrient required by plants, and the amount of chlorine in most drinking water is below any toxic levels for plants. Chlorine also dissipates when exposed to air. If you have a municipal water source, consider saving rainwater or buying filtered water for watering sensitive plants.

Hard water can result in mineral buildup on soil surfaces. Avoid this by using water low in minerals and flushing plant soil with pure water every 4 to 6 months. Repot plants if the soil becomes crusty and scrub pots to remove mineral buildup.

Thanks, i guess heavy rain is gonna flush out the soil and im gonna check plants that are not too sensitive to chemicals in the water and if i cant, im gonna get some barrels to store rain water.

Leave the grey water sitting outside in their buckets for a couple weeks and that will help some of the chemicals leach out. Rain water will flush the rest out when it rains.

Rain barrels are a great idea and one you won't regret. Just make sure to put a screen on top to keep most bugs and animals out. A mesh strainer with a handle works great.

If they're in the ground you don't have to worry at all. The summer rain will wash out all the excess minerals in no time.

My yard and house plants are watered with water from wells owned by my neighborhood - the water is chlorinated. The water has so much dissolved solids, I spend a couple hours a week cleaning the mister nozzles in my greenhouse to keep them functioning. My soap won't raise a lather. It only rains for a couple months in winter. I've not noticed my potted plants or my yard landscaping suffering for it. If your plants are doing fine, don't worry about the water.