Let’s take a trip together. It’s late winter in the Southeast — the sun is starting to tease us with a warmer touch, and your rain barrels are quietly brimming after weeks of off-and-on showers. You’re itching to siphon that sweet, free water into your garden beds, dreaming of lush tomato vines and vibrant marigolds come spring.
But hold on a minute: this month, experts across the Southeast are urging gardeners to pause their rainwater harvesting habits. It’s not a spring prank, and it’s definitely not a secret plot to make you crack open your wallet for city water. There are good, science-backed reasons behind this alert, and understanding them could make your garden healthier and safer — for you and your plants.
