Healthy soil and sustainable growing

["Amanda Peck" <ap615@hotmail.com>]

Might not be a bad idea to read a couple of Art Ludwig's books.  There are 
three on this page.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0964343304/102-0546009-6592130?v=glance&n=283155

But seems like what he's recommending for a simple system is a mulch basin 
sunk below the original land level.  His drawing shows some sort of thirsty 
tree in the middle on a dirt island at least the level of the original land, 
probably a bit higher.  I get the impression that this and not a whole lot 
more will deal with greywater.  Although you could terrace your mulch basins 
down the hill.

But, he's been preaching for years about what's in the water you are 
throwing out, not mentioning acid/alkaline balance (mulch basin may take 
care of that anyway).  Boron (boric acid/borax) in particular is a bad idea. 
 Also any kind of bleach--even the non-chlorine kind.  His point is that 
sometimes you won't know how much you' ve damaged your soil for a couple of 
years.
.......................................
Dear list,
I'm cobbling together a rather casual greywater system.
Some questions
1. If the greywater is made alkaline by the presence of conventional soap,
shampoo, dishwashing detergent, or (a little) laundry detergent, can I
neutralize it by having it come in contact with some half-composted horse
manure towards the end of the process? I think that is acid and if I
remember my high school chemistry from decades ago, it would neutralize it.
This is after it filters through sand, pumice, pea gravel, gravel, and soil.

2. Does anyone think there is a problem growing cucumbers from water thus
filtered? Much to my amazement some Chinese cucumber seeds I sowed around
the greywater area sprouted vigorously yesterday.

Thanks in advance!
Bat-Tzion
Negev (semidesert) Israel