2008 was a very dry year. Dryer than the Dust Bowl years I hear. My water bill was soaring in an effort to keep the grass and gardens from dying completely. I decided to collect rain water from the roof for use in the gardens. I did not have gutters at that point so I positioned the first rain barrel to catch water coming down a trough on the roof. The first rain completely filled the barrel. I later found that with a down spout, just .3 inches of rain will fill a 55 gallon barrel. I’ve added 6 more barrels (with stands to allow the water to flow better) and down spouts.
Uses:
-Water nearby plants using the attached hose
-Attach a soaker hose for continuous slow watering of nearby plants
-Carry water by the bucket to plants farther away.
-Wash dirty feet prior to entering the house.
-Flush the toilet when BWA has the water turned off to fix a water main leak.
Rain barrels come in a variety of shapes and colors. Lots of information is available on line. Where can you get rain barrels locally? Check Benbrook’s Tractor Supply and Elliot’s Hardware in Dallas.
Select this link for general rain barrel information and how-to’s:
http://www.prairierainharvester.com/support.html#1Howmuchraindoesittaketofilla55gallonRainBarrel
Select this link for directions on making your own barrels. If choosing this route, please make sure neighborhood kids and critters can’t fall in the top opening. One of my barrels is similar to those pictured on this website. I cut whole in the lid and stretched a double layer of window screen over the opening.
http://www.longwood.edu/CLEANVA/rainbarrels.htm
Uses:
-Water nearby plants using the attached hose
-Attach a soaker hose for continuous slow watering of nearby plants
-Carry water by the bucket to plants farther away.
-Wash dirty feet prior to entering the house.
-Flush the toilet when BWA has the water turned off to fix a water main leak.
Rain barrels come in a variety of shapes and colors. Lots of information is available on line. Where can you get rain barrels locally? Check Benbrook’s Tractor Supply and Elliot’s Hardware in Dallas.
Select this link for general rain barrel information and how-to’s:
http://www.prairierainharvester.com/support.html#1Howmuchraindoesittaketofilla55gallonRainBarrel
Select this link for directions on making your own barrels. If choosing this route, please make sure neighborhood kids and critters can’t fall in the top opening. One of my barrels is similar to those pictured on this website. I cut whole in the lid and stretched a double layer of window screen over the opening.
http://www.longwood.edu/CLEANVA/rainbarrels.htm
