J
James
Guest
Some background info 1st. I've bought most of the supplies for an upcoming organic garden late this spring. A soaker hose seemed like a good idea since I read that they insure less water is wasted (up to 70% less) and they simplify watering since you only have to turn on the hose for a while and everything gets watered (with hose/s set in place around plants).
Well, now to my dilemma. I indeed bought a "Garden Shop" 50ft soaker hose. Front label says it saves up to 70% water and is made from 65% recycled rubber (tires I'd imagine) Only when I got home and read the underside of the label (which can't be clearly read while in store display) did I notice it says, quote un quote:
"This hose contains chemicals, including lead, known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Do not drink water from this hose. Wash hands after use."
Sounds scary to me. Ok, I looked around on this (web) and a couple people say most plants don't take up lead well, etc... but I'd rather side on caution instead of contaminating my soil and hoping for the best.
Via web search (google), I haven't been able to find a good non-toxic "soaker" hose. Perhaps they aren't made or maybe they're just buried too far in the google search engine for me to find them? Where can I get a lead-free and non chemical leaching garden soaker hose?
Found out that common regular hoses are lead contaminated also and that there are special "drink-safe" rubber hoses available. So I may consider trying to make my own non-toxin leaching soaker hose by poking holes in one of these "drink-safe" hoses. You can read some about this at -> http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/organic/msg061240517127.html
Ideally though I'd rather buy a non-toxin leaching soaker hose premade.
Well, now to my dilemma. I indeed bought a "Garden Shop" 50ft soaker hose. Front label says it saves up to 70% water and is made from 65% recycled rubber (tires I'd imagine) Only when I got home and read the underside of the label (which can't be clearly read while in store display) did I notice it says, quote un quote:
"This hose contains chemicals, including lead, known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Do not drink water from this hose. Wash hands after use."
Sounds scary to me. Ok, I looked around on this (web) and a couple people say most plants don't take up lead well, etc... but I'd rather side on caution instead of contaminating my soil and hoping for the best.
Via web search (google), I haven't been able to find a good non-toxic "soaker" hose. Perhaps they aren't made or maybe they're just buried too far in the google search engine for me to find them? Where can I get a lead-free and non chemical leaching garden soaker hose?
Found out that common regular hoses are lead contaminated also and that there are special "drink-safe" rubber hoses available. So I may consider trying to make my own non-toxin leaching soaker hose by poking holes in one of these "drink-safe" hoses. You can read some about this at -> http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/organic/msg061240517127.html
Ideally though I'd rather buy a non-toxin leaching soaker hose premade.