Melted fresh snow for watering
 

This is a very depressing question but, can one use fresh melted snow (leave clean bucket out for clean:( snow) as you would rain water? Living in the Chicago area, and knowing what is to come, that thought popped into my mind yesterday. :(

I don't see why not. they are all water from the sky only different in form.

Yes you can use it just fine. Although you need a lot of snow to get a decent amount of water! There's no need to use a bucket to catch it. If there's a thick enough layer on the ground you can just scoop up the top layer.

I use it every winter. But for every bucket of snow I get a third of a bucket of liquid. So pack it in accordingly.

If you use it for fertilizing, don't forget that the water isn't buffered, so be careful with the pH.

I use snow, too. Just make certain the former snow is room temperature when it is used.
Leafmite

If you have cool growing orchids, you don't need to warm up the water. It'll work just fine.

I am also from Chicago, and I have experimented with this as a cheaper option to buying distilled water, and also to the ABUNDANCE of snow each year. I found it to be helpful and easy to acquire. I am not using it now but am condidering it again in the future. I don't know for certain, but I would imagine that the amount of N. would be lower as apposed to rain water during the thunderstorm in the summer.
If anyone does know I would appreciate it.
Thanks

I love melted snow in winter. As soon as there's a decent amount I collect (takes a lot, and is time consuming) enough for all my watering needs. As Ray pointed out: make sure you check the pH of the water. I may be imagining this, but I think that there is less chance of bacteria growth because of the temp. of the water when it's collected.

If you use it with fertilizer, Just add 10% tap water back. That should be enough to buffer the water so you don't get big PH swings. The PH will move alittle. Do the same for RO or distilled.