Our water cycle is vital to the Earth’s atmosphere, waterways, soil and your garden. Usually, we water our yards and plants with a hose that dispenses municipal-treated water that we pay for each month. But, it could be healthier for your garden — and your wallet — to catch and utilize rain when it falls.
» Is a rain catch system right for me?
If you are a gardener who prefers untreated water for your plants, a city resident concerned with rising water rates or a conservationist who strives for efficient water use, then harvesting rainwater is for you. However, you should avoid collecting rainwater if: pesticides have recently been applied nearby; you’ve recently used a moss removal product on your roof; you have lead, copper, or galvanized flashings; or your roof is made of treated shingles or materials that contain zinc or asphalt.
» How can I catch rain water
The most common way to harvest rainwater is to collect it from a building’s roof by way of an existing gutter or drainage system. When I was a kid, my parents installed a wooden rain barrel lined with plastic in our backyard under a corner downspout. They also added a few goldfish for aesthetics. My mom used it to water her flower beds in the sweltering Texas heat, and my sisters and I used it for hours of entertainment. And every few weeks, my dad would scoop the fi sh into a bucket, clean out the barrel and dump them back in. I now know goldfish in your barrel is a terrible idea, mostly because they propagate the growth of algae.
A basic rain barrel usually stores about 75 gallons of water, although there are many sizes available at your local garden center and online. Materials can range from wood and masonry to metal and polyethylene.
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Just make sure it is opaque to discourage the growth of bacteria and algae. A plastic rain barrel is probably the easiest to keep clean, modify and move. You should also install a downspout diverter or other system to account for overflow. Direct excess water away from the house and into the yard or a drainage area.
It is also useful to have a “first-flush” diverter. Rainstorms wash a lot of debris, animal droppings and other probable contaminants off the roof right at the beginning. A first-flush diverter keeps that initial rush of dirty water from entering the barrel and captures unwanted impurities.
Monitor and clean your barrel regularly. Keep it covered, kid-proof and pet/pest-proof. Mosquitos love to lay their eggs on the water and gone are the days of playing with rain barrel goldfish.
» How should i use my rain water?
Much of this depends on the toxicity concerns already addressed. Most experts recommend only using it for ornamentals and lawns. However, if you are proactive with your water’s cleanliness, some professionals approve using it at the base of your vegetable and fruit plants. Do not use it for overhead watering. Additionally, you can use an activated charcoal filter system to remove sediments, organic contaminants and some minerals.
As humanity continues to “pave paradise and put up a parking lot,” we as conscientious gardeners, homeowners and landscapers can promote sustainable green spaces and healthy waterways by collecting and using the rainwater that falls for the taking. N
By S. Michal Bennett
Photography By Joel Riner
As Featured In: 2018 Summer/Fall SPO Edition