Brits urged to pour boiled pasta water in garden
Experts broadly agree that it can be good to do but there are things to bear in mind.
Brits are being urged to pour the water they boiled pasta into their gardens. Pasta is a delicious, carbohydrate-rich meal that releases energy slowly over time after it is eaten. It can also be paired with a huge variety of ingredients, depending on your personal tastes, tuna and tomato being two very popular additions. After you have finished softening the pasta, experts have suggested keeping hold of the water in the pan and putting it to good use. But there is one thing people should bear in mind.
Specialists say the nutrients in the water can be good for plants, albeit mildly. However, the liquid should not contain salt and should be left to cool before you pour it onto your flower beds. It is also a good way to save water as you are using, (granted, only a small mount) less from the mains.
Homes & Gardens wrote: "Our team of gardening experts were in agreement: pasta water is a good way to save water and, provided it's not salted or seasoned, won't harm your plants.
"And while it might be able to offer very mild fertilisation, it shouldn't be substituted for your usual house plant feed."
Garden writer Simon Akeroyd wrote: "Don’t throw away the water you cooked your pasta in.
"Allow it to cool and then use it to feed and water your plants.
"It acts as a tonic or feed supplement for your plants.
"Pasta water contains lots of starch which my encourages soil microbes and healthy plant growth.
"Pasta water also contains a few nutrients such as calcium, potassium and iron which can help boost plant growth and act as a support to other plant feeds.
"If the pasta water is very starchy you can water it down as too much starch could encourage mould to form."
