Don't Throw Out Your Cooking Water.. USE IT!
Aug-24-2010

When you boil potatoes, pasta, or vegetables, don't just pour the water down the sink when you're done. Let it come down to room temperature, then use it to water your potted plants or garden beds. In addition to the water, your plants will also get a little bit of a nutrient boost from the vitamins and minerals that the vegetables have left behind in the cooking water.

A few tips for success with this method:

1. Don't heavily salt the water -- excess salt can damage plants and soil health.
2. Don't use water that you've added oil to (for those who add olive oil to pasta cooking water). It will turn rancid and possibly attract pests.
3. You won't want to use this method for houseplants.There is a tiny bit of an odor, especially if you boiled cruciferous vegetable such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts. This isn't a problem outdoors, but most people don't want their homes to smell like broccoli.

Posted by Staff at 12:00 AM - Link to this entry  |  Share this entry  |  Print