Believe it or not, water is a scarce commodity right now. Wars are being fought in other parts of the world over access to water (the Darfur conflict started, in part, over access to water). Here in the United States, we have many disputes over water rights.
The politics of water aside, capturing and using your rain water just makes SENSE! Just like you should be turning your kitchen and yard scraps in to compost, it's time to think about rainwater harvesting right in your own backyard. You should have a rain barrel in your garden... it is fun and very functional!
Rainwater harvesting can be as simple as putting a rain barrel underneath your rain gutters . Most have screens that keep out debris, animals, and insects. They are completely covered so they are kid-safe as well.
The best ones to use are the 50-gallon barrels that are made from ultraviolet resistant material. It also needs to be resistant to mold, rust, and rotting. Brass spigots are also the best as they are quite durable (don't even bother with a plastic spigot as it won't last one gardening season).
Rain Wizard Rain Barrel, 50 Gallon $90.27
If every gardener harvested 50 gallons of rain water, it could water their vegetable garden for up two weeks. Think of how much water that would save not coming out of your hose (or water bill).
By the way - filling up a rain barrel isn't hard if you don't live in an area undergoing a drought (and even more important if you are living in an area that is). My husband set up our rain barrel for the season last week. We had one rain in the middle of the night that was so mild, it didn't even wake me. A few days later, we had a rainy day and my rain barrel is now filled to the brim!
Almost all rain barrels are made to go under the rain gutter on a house. But you know what? Quite a few homes don't have rain gutters - but you can still harvest rain water! If you don't have a gutter system in your house, just place your rain barrel in an area of your yard that has the most chance of catching maximum water..
When looking at rain barrels, try to find one that has two spigots. One that is lower to the ground that allows you to attach your hose...and one higher that will let you fill a bucket or watering can without being a contortionist.
Something to remember when looking at rain barrels is their shape. Stay away from those that are square shaped or that have seams. Under the pressure of the water they will bulge and eventually leak and break. Stick with round rain barrels no matter how cute those square ones look!
I love (and have) the rain barrels that have room up top so that you can grow plants. How awesome would that be to have flowers or an herb garden on top of your rain barrel? (and sidenote: if you live in an HOA community that is always looking to fine you for "eyesores", this pretties it up a bit!)
Algreen 81002 Agua 50-Gallon Rain Water Collection and Storage System - $113.60
As gardeners we are already thinking about the environment and how to feed our families better homegrown food. As a community, we plant flowers and trees as a well-cared for garden shows love and pride for where we live. Saving our water is part of that.
Rainwater harvesting is a simple solution to a much larger problem. Use the water you harvest in your gardens, on your lawns, and to even wash your car. When we make small changes we can create big results.
Save our precious water supply by doing your part.... one rain barrel at a time will make a difference and your garden will love you for it! Rain water has more vitamins and minerals than tap and your plants will do a happy dance to have more of it throughout their growing season.
And besides - when the Zombie Apocalypse hits and we have no more running water - you will be happy to have a rain barrel or two!
Do you have a rain barrel?
Gail Akeman
THis would be good for our garden for sure.
Jen
Great idea! Found you over at Keeping it Simple!
Linda@MixedKreations
I've been wanting to get me one of these rain barrels everytime I see them at Home Depot. If I had of had one in place it would of been full from last couple days of rain. Thanks for the info it when help me choose the right one.
Megin Gallagher
What a great idea. I love that it is safe for kids and that it keeps the yuk out, too!
Thank you for sharing this at Brag About It Link Party on VMG206.
~ Megin of VMG206
Lisa
I've been thinking about getting a rain barrel for a couple of years but just keep putting it off. You've convinced me to do it this year!
Mindi Cherry
I'm so glad to hear that! It really is a small step towards water conservation, but it just makes sense to do it!
Ricki @ The Questionable Homesteader
I love this, but then I'm a huge fan of rain barrels. Best part is you can set up an automatic watering system to the bottom of the barrel to water your plants on a regular basis and if you have a hedge or something that can take a bit more water, you can add a soaker hose to the top spout to take care of any "over" fill. Using the rain water to maintain our gardens is way better than using our drinking water (that we pay for).
Thanks for sharing, Ricki
Mindi Cherry
Oh - I would love to have an automatic system hooked in to my rain barrel! I am going to have to look in to one. Thanks for the idea!
Angela McKinney
This is such a great idea. I live in apartments so probably would not be able to do this but when we get a house I will keep it in mind and get a barrel. So happy you shared at #HomeMattersParty
Kristen from The Road to Domestication
I wanted to let you know that we loved this post so much that we featured it this week at the #HomeMattersParty - come on by if you have a sec! The door is open! 🙂 http://theroadtodomestication.com/2015/05/08/home-matters-linky-party-36/
Michelle
A fantastic idea! I can't believe that if every gardener harvested 50 gallons of rain water, it could water their vegetable garden for up 2 weeks! Thank you for sharing! #HomeMattersParty
Kristi
Great ideas! I was just talking to a friend about this yesterday. Thanks for the info! #homemattersparty
Jerry
You can also collect the water from your AC unit. Another great way to get free water.