I use town supplied well water. Because the pH ranges from 6.5 to 8, I check periodically and adjust to pH 5.5 to 6.5 with vinegar. Town does not test for boron so I do not know boron levels.

Well water should be fine, as long as it does not go thru water softener; if you like, you could add a bit of vinegar to lower the pH; but 7.5 or less is fine.

I have always used regular City of Annapolis water and it has worked fine. This year I am also using rainwater that accumulates in my rain barrel. I just brought some in actually. The thing is that I can’t hold enough inside the house and can’t use it right out of the barrel bc it is too cold. I will collect 3.5 gallons between two watering cans and then water with those once they warm up. That is not enough for all my trees though so I then switch over to city water if I don’t want to wait another day.

Thank you John. Certainly will safe me a lot of time. We watered our veggies with well water over the summer and did not see any yellowing. So maybe a sign that boron is low and not to worry. Vladimir testing ph and add vinegar is a good idea.

Laura I always have a couple of water cans filled in the grow room. My rain barrels are frozen now and no way to get anything out anytime soon. Maybe need to reserve some spots for my barrels next winter if my trees survive the year.

I use tap water kept overnight in a bucket in the same room as the trees.

Suzanne, I believe my water pH varies because the town switches from one well to another. I doubt that your water pH would vary much but it would not hurt to check periodically.

I just checked, it is around 8 (paper strip)

Medium pH can limit nutrient uptake and productivity when it is below 6.0 or above 7,5. Citrus can survive in medium from pH 5.5 to 8,5 but nutrition problems may occur as the pH at the ends of this range are approached. The quality of irrigation water is determined by its salt, boron, and bicarbonate content.

Silica, you are talking about the pH of the medium, not the of the water. I suspect that the hydrogen ion concentration of the water has a short lasting effect on the pH of the growth medium.

wow, that is big. Where do you let the water go for winter? I always find it sad to just let it run out.

Great setup Bob! Even with the bitter cold, I was able to fill my watering cans with rainwater. Tomorrow I’ll gather more. I think I’ll chrck the ph of that as well.

I let water go downhill towards my paw-paw patch. Remember the thing about rainwater: P/H 5.5 It is wet and nothing else. Remember the word: acid rain.

Have to add goodies.

Let's see. I have filled 6 30 gallon barrels in my basement to last me all winter for my orchids and citrus trees and other tropical s since they can't stand my tap water.

Then if I have to use my tap water, I will fill a huge 30 gallon upstairs for those that would be a pain to keep bringing up a bucket and dig from that once the tap water has dissipated all the stuff in it..

I fill all my pump spray bottles for all my orchids and smaller window sill plants and even mist the leaves of all my citrus.

Then I just take pail, container or watering cans and use those for the bigger plants.

So I have pretty much good water all winter!

Mike