Collecting rainwater can conserve water and save you money. The easiest way to collect water from the sky is to set out a bucket and wait for it to start pouring down, but in order to use the water effectively, you’re going to need an efficient way to get the water into thee bucket and then into your garden.
Collecting rainwater can conserve water and save you money. The easiest way to collect water from the sky is to set out a bucket and wait for it to start pouring down, but in order to use the water effectively, you’re going to need an efficient way to get the water into thee bucket and then into your garden.
Just about any large, waterproof container can be turned into a rain barrel. Plastic garbage cans are a good choice because they’re lightweight and watertight. Leftover 55-gallon barrels from restaurants are another inexpensive option.
You’ll need to create a hose system that collects water from your rain gutters and directs it into the barrel. You’ll want to put a screen over the top end of the hose to filter out leaves and insects that may get washed in, and you’ll also need a spigot out of the side of the barrel so you can get the water out of the barrel. An overflow hose can also be helpful, and you can have that direct straight to your garden or into another barrel for a multi-barrel rainwater collection system.
Since standing water has a tendency to attract bugs and grow algae, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the barrel. The oil will float on top of the water and block out oxygen from anything that would want to live in the barrel.
DIY Rain Barrel Ideas:
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