Is Rice Water Good For Vegetable Plants?

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Rice water is not a soft drink, but the starch-rich water left over after washing rice. If you use a lot of rice in your cooking, you’ll know it takes a few washes before the water runs clear. Rice water is high in several vital nutrients plants need but is rice water good for vegetable plants?

Rice water can be used to water vegetable plants and simultaneously fertilize them. Because rice water contains Phosphorous, Potassium, and Nitrogen, it is beneficial to vegetable plants. Rice water reduces wastage while giving vegetable plants a growth boost and dark green leaves.

Suppose you are into waste elimination and recycling and love being water smart. In that case, you will love how we can show you the best way to use rice water and its benefits for your vegetable plants. We will explain the easiest methods of effectively making and using this nutrient-rich water.

Table of Contents

Can You Water Vegetable Plants With Rice Water?

Many would like to know if they can feed their vegetable plants using rice water. Unfortunately, washing rice produces a lot of wastewater. When I prepare a lot of rice, I can end up with almost 2l of rice water. That’s a lot of waste if it’s all going down the drain!

Many aspire to a more sustainable lifestyle today, so can you water any vegetable plant with rice water? There are so many vegetables, but what about the more sensitive plants that prefer being watered a certain way?

The vegetable plants that do not like too much nitrogen are –

Lettuce
Sweet potatoes

Carrots
Watermelons
Beets

Turnips
Parsnips

While these vegetables do not like added nitrogen, watering them with rice water now and then should do them no harm.

Vegetables that prefer a little extra kick where nitrogen is concerned are –

Okra
All types of peppers

Tomatoes
Pole Beans
Greens like spinach, Swiss Chard, Kales

Cucumbers
Muskmelons
Squash varieties

These vegetables will thrive and grow faster with the added nitrogen from rice water and can absorb the nutrients daily. Some vegetables do not like to be overwatered, so you can group them for better management.

What Are The Advantages Of Using Rice Water For Vegetable Plants?

While it may make some people skeptical of using rice water on their vegetable plants, tests have proven that it is safe, nutritious, and beneficial.

The University of Riau’s Agrotechnology Department released a finding that shows how good rice water is. Rice water on bell peppers increased yield by several percent compared to the same crop, given plain water. That’s good enough for me!

Rice Water Contains Key Minerals

The critical minerals a plant needs are Nitrogen(N), Potassium(K), and Phosphorous(P). Rice water contains Phosphorous, Nitrogen, and Potassium, which are all vital elements in commercial fertilizers.

The benefit of rice water is that it is entirely organic unless the rice is GM, making it highly bio-available to your vegetable plants.

Rice Water Can Be Made In The Kitchen

The most significant advantage of using rice water is that you don’t have to buy it. Instead, you can make it in your kitchen while preparing rice for a meal.

Many homes eat rice daily with a meal, so there will be the primary wash water and leftover rice that can be used to make rice water later.

Rice Water Activates Beneficial Soil Bacteria

Having healthy soil is of great importance for solid and healthy vegetables. Rice water activates beneficial soil bacteria and is a natural pest deterrent to protect your vegetable plants.

Rice Water Reduces Overhead Costs

The convenience of having rice water readily available eliminates the need for expensive commercial fertilizers. In addition, using rice water on your vegetable plants can reduce your maintenance costs drastically.

Rice Water Does Not Harm The Environment

Rice water is environmentally friendly and beneficial. Rice is a plant to start with, and the byproduct is organic.

Rice Water Speeds Up Plant Growth

Boosting your vegetable plants can be done by watering the entire plant. However, certain vegetable plants, like tomatoes, prefer not to have water on their leaves.

You can mist spray the rice water using a hand spray bottle or overhead misters. If you have drip or irrigation, you can run the water through your tank and ensure the rice water gets to the roots.

Best Methods To Prepare Rice Water For Vegetable Plants

Knowing that rice water is beneficial is one thing, but knowing how to prepare it is the key. Two quick methods can be used in the comfort of your kitchen: washing and boiling.

Method #1 – Washing

This is the method I am fond of using. This method involves raw rice and cold water. Here is what to do:

Place 1 or 2 cups of rice in a pot or bowl

Fill the jar or container with water until it covers the rice – 4 to 5 cups of water
Using your hand, vigorously stir the rice and water until it becomes cloudy
Strain off the water into a jug

Fill with clean water. Repeat the process several times until the water is clear

Once the water is clear, all the starch has been removed. All the valuable nutrients are in the jug. You can proceed to boil the rice as usual.

Method #2 – Boiling

You can use this method if you do not wash your rice before cooking. This is typically done with risotto rice or sushi rice that remains starchy and sticky.

Add 1 to 2 cups of rice to a pot.
Fill the pot with water that covers the rice with a finger
Bring the rice to boiling point and immediately reduce the heat to a low simmer

Strain off the leftover water and use it on your vegetable plants one cooled

What Type Of Rice Makes The Best Rice Water?

The best rice to make rice water for your vegetables are the more starchy varieties such as:

Basmati

Arborio
Bomba
Black

Carolina Gold
Carnaroli
Jasmine

Tips For Storing Rice Water

If you make lots of rice water weekly and don’t want to waste it, you may want to store it later, but how do you do that?

Store rice water in sealable mason jars in the fridge until needed. Let sit at room temperature before watering your vegetable plants.
Add a small amount of molasses to the rice water to extend the freshness.

Conclusion

Now that you know the undeniable benefits of rice water for your vegetable plants, you won’t have to spend a fortune on commercial fertilizers again.

Sources

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/all-about-rice-how-to-cook-with-9-common-rice-varieties

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