Surprising Advantages of Utilising Rainwater Tanks for Horticultural Applications

Surprising Advantages of Utilising Rainwater Tanks for Horticultural Applications

Surprising Advantages of Utilising Rainwater Tanks for Horticultural Applications

26 April 2021
 Categories:
, Blog


Horticultural farming is more intensive than most other agricultural activities and this can be credited to the types of plants that it focuses on. The growth of fruits, vegetables and even flowers requires an efficient supply of water, and you also need to make sure that your plants are not exposed to chemicals from artificial fertilizers, pesticides and more since these plants end up in people's homes. For that reason, you need to ensure that the water you provide is clean. But with the arid conditions in Australia, this can prove challenging.

Fortunately, rainwater harvesting is a great solution, especially if your farm is located in a rural area. By investing in rainwater tanks, you can ensure that the water you are using is of premium quality, and this translates into high-quality produce. Before you underrate making this investment, check out the following surprising advantages of utilising rainwater tanks for horticultural applications.

Rainwater provides your plants with a degree of nitrogen

One of the little-known benefits of utilising rainwater for your horticultural applications is the nitrogen that this source provides. When it rains, nitrogen is formed in a couple of ways. Firstly, ammonia, which a naturally occurring gas in the atmosphere, mixes with this water. Secondly, during thunderstorms, lightning can cause a reaction in the dissolved atmospheric ammonia, and this leads to the production of nitrate.

When you use the collected rainwater for irrigation purpose, the nitrogen it contains fortifies the soil, benefiting the roots of your horticultural plants. Note that while the levels of nitrogen may not be high, the fact that it is present means rainwater is more advantageous for farming than options such as council water.

Rainwater does not contain any chlorine

While most people are aware of the fact that chlorine is used to purify water, it is important to note that this compound is not present in nature in an elemental form. Creating chlorine involves an array of other chemicals, and then this compound is extracted via electrolysis. Therefore, while chlorine is used to kill microorganisms that could harm humans, it is disadvantageous to plant life, as it could get rid of essential microorganisms that your horticultural plants need to thrive.

With this in mind, it is also not recommended that you utilise greywater for horticultural applications because chlorine easily dissolves in water. Water that has been used for laundry and other household needs could hinder the growth of your plants. Instead, investing in rainwater tanks for your horticultural plants is best since you will not be exposing them to chlorine.

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