| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Mar 29 2008 : 12:39:17 PM
Today is supposed to be the nicest day we will have for a bit, so Jus and I wanted to get quite a few things done and out of the way, so....we got up early and while I was up on the roof cleaning out the gutters (Jus is DEATHLY afraid of heights and I'm not), he made our first Rain Barrell. We bought them last year but ran out of time (and steam) with his long hours at work.
I think it's wonderful, but I want him to paint something fun on it like sunflowers or our name or something 
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| LynnMarie |
Posted - May 18 2009 : 05:49:41 AM
Hey Alee, That was a good link on how to make a rain barrel.
Has anyone tried using a plastic trash can? I am also wondering just how safe it would be. With plastics being looked at differently nowdays, would heavier plastic such as food storage barrels be safer than a plastic trash can? After all, the hot summer sun can really heat up that water. I am not sure if both are made from the same grade plastic.
I also want to know if screen across the top of the barrel keeps out the grit from the shingles. What gauge of screen have you used?
LynnMarie
Bringing the Past Back to Life
www.freewebs.com/decampsettlement
"You may never know what results come from your action. But, if you do nothing, there will be no results" -Gandhi |
| Alee |
Posted - May 17 2009 : 8:40:19 PM
Yup!
Here is a great resource!
http://www.harvesth2o.com/resources.shtml
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| LynnMarie |
Posted - May 17 2009 : 8:31:45 PM
I agree Alee. What really worried me is that years ago she had cancer. I can't help but wonder what impact that garden carpet had on her body. Yuck! After all, don't we plant gardens to help our body be healthier!
LynnMarie
Bringing the Past Back to Life
www.freewebs.com/decampsettlement
"You may never know what results come from your action. But, if you do nothing, there will be no results" -Gandhi |
| Alee |
Posted - May 17 2009 : 8:26:03 PM
Lynn- carpeting in the garden always makes me cringe. Carpet is one of those horrible out gassers which isn't a huge thing I guess when it's outdoors but I can't help but think some of that stuff has to leech into the soil. That plus when it gets wet it's all muddy and soggy. Ick
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| CherryMeDarlin |
Posted - May 17 2009 : 4:22:28 PM
Beautiful, Jonnie, just like it is! You and Jus get a hearty pat on the back!
~~Cherry~~
http://cherrymedarlin.blogspot.com
"A thing is as simple or as complicated as you make it." --TT Murphy |
| LynnMarie |
Posted - May 17 2009 : 04:33:05 AM
I never thought about old tin roofs being soldered as the one I had was just galvanized tin which is nailed. Sad to say, the house I live in now has asphalt shingles. I recently put an old round wash tub under the drain spout to catch rain water. It is near my new wildflower bed so that is what this water will be used for. But ... would it be safe to use this water in my raised veggie beds? I am afraid it isn't a good idea to use it on plants I will be eating.
I know a gal who has used old carpeting in her garden to keep weeds from growing. Sounded like a great idea when she told me about it but then she got to thinking about it and what carpeting is made of. I do not know if she took it out of her garden as it has been awhile since I talked to her.
Food for thought.
LynnMarie
Bringing the Past Back to Life
www.freewebs.com/decampsettlement
"You may never know what results come from your action. But, if you do nothing, there will be no results" -Gandhi |
| Rosemary |
Posted - Apr 07 2008 : 1:18:42 PM
I just recently saw a little article about rain collection barrels somewhere, supposedly designed to deal with the mosquito problem. All I have to do now is remember where I saw it! I'll post something about it if I find it. Could be helpful to someone else, too. Thanks again, Jonni. BTW, I wouldn't trade my tin roof for the world. I love the sound when it rains. Nothing like it. *contented sigh* |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Apr 07 2008 : 10:55:54 AM
Not a problem, Mara...I remember my Great Grandmother's tin roof and that she had to have someone come out every couple of years to fix a joint or two, and they used lead in the solder. If the paint is new, it should be that big of a deal, but even without a downspout connection, the barrels collect water just fine. The only thing there to worry about is mosquitoes, which is (just one) of the reasons we decided to utilize the downspout and effectively seal the connection to the top of the barrell. The other was to move water from the foundation :)
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| Rosemary |
Posted - Apr 07 2008 : 10:36:20 AM
You know, Jonni, I hadn't thought about the lead solder issue. That would be something to worry about: our house is about 100 years old. The paint is new, though. We have it done every 5 years or so. Hmm. Even with fresh [paint over it, lead solder isn't something I want in my garden. I might have to just do the rain collection kind of barrel, rather than directing a downspout into it. Thank you so much for mentioning that!
|
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Apr 07 2008 : 08:09:24 AM
Thanks, Rosemary--I do love it, and now my husband has the other in place on the other side of our home. I watered the garden yesterday with all the rain water from Thursday and Friday! He's making a gage as well, for each of them, so we'll know what level the water is to utilize it.
It is my understanding that oak barrels are the choice of vintners, and that after one use, they are no longer "useable", so they usually sell them out. Chip, the gentleman that my husband knows (Rabbit Ridge Winery, Cincinnati, OH) usually sells them to a landscaper. I've also heard people that have thought of bourbon barrels (regionally speaking, Kentucky) but they burn the insides, so you have creosote buildup which ISN'T good for the food supply.
You know, I'm not sure about that, Rosemary. I'm going to assume that you're talking about an old tin roof, that might still have lead soldering. Also, paint--old paint or new? The lead factor could be an issue, but we do already have traces of lead in our water as it is...
Here is a link that might prove helpful if that's a concern.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG2543.html
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| Rosemary |
Posted - Apr 07 2008 : 07:47:58 AM
I have a question about rain barrels -- I'd so love to have one, but I'm worried that the rain sluicing down the drain from our painted tin roof would have traces of stuff in it that wouldn't be good for the veggie garden. Am I being excessive?
Oh -- I forgot to say this up front: Jonni, your rain barrel is wonderful! That's just how they should look, but seldom do. I wonder if some vintners in Virginia use those, instead of the steel things I've seen. Hmm...I see an obsession in my future :-) |
| LunaTheFarmLady |
Posted - Apr 05 2008 : 1:19:01 PM
Thanks Jonni....I will do a little research around here too. I just never thought about the wineries....still willing to travel..
Luna
Luna The Farm Lady
http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
|
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Apr 05 2008 : 06:31:41 AM
Hi Luna! I wonder...there are several vineyards in Kentucky--between me and you, I think there are at least 3. I'm wondering if they would sell their used oak barrels? My husband could call Chip at the vineyard in Cincinnati and see...he usually sells them to landscaping companies and they cut them in half for planters!!! Let me work on it. I might be able to provide you a phone number or email as well.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| LunaTheFarmLady |
Posted - Apr 04 2008 : 9:53:01 PM
Jonnie
Your rain barrel is beautiful! I have been looking for just the same thing for almost a year now. All the ones I see in catalogs or on line are just soooo expensive. Do you know if any more are available? I'm in KY but don't know how far you are from me. I will travel if they are.
Luna The Farm Lady
http://blueballmountainspindleneedleworks.blogspot.com/
|
| sleepless reader |
Posted - Apr 04 2008 : 11:40:19 AM
That's beautiful! We had been talking about buying some rainbarrels this year, but I think I'll show these to my husband and see what he thinks. There are a number of wineries nearby, so we'd have to hope for such as deal!
Sharon
Farmgirl Sister #74
Life is messy. Wear your apron! |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 1:47:40 PM
Thanks so much, girls. I'm still so so excited about it, I showed my mom in the dark last night!!! We've gotten a considerable amount of rain in the last few days, and dh hooked up the hose and my GOODNESS what a great stream of water. You probably couldn't wash a car, but you can certainly water a flower bed!
Best thing, though, when he came in from putting the hose on his hands smelled like rain 
Woo Hoo!!!!
I'll be glad to keep you posted on how they winterize, Dawn. He's putting the other in tonight on the other side of the house. It will make a great difference, too, in the water removed from around our foundation.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 12:48:02 PM
That looks great Jonni, wish I had one! Keep us updated on how it goes through the year. I am curious to know what happens if there's too much water in the barrel, what happens to the overflow. I also want to know how they hold up in the winter.
Good luck with your new rain barrel!
Dawn in IL |
| Miss Bee Haven |
Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 11:26:42 AM
I'm so envious, Jonni. And if you end up with an extra one you want to sell, just let me know. We'll come pick it up! ;)
Farmgirl Sister #50
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?"
'Br.Dave Gardner' |
| lisamarie508 |
Posted - Apr 03 2008 : 11:19:24 AM
Oh, Jonni, that is wonderful. I love that you got a nice wooden one instead of those plastic ones that smell STRONGLY of plastic. Yours is just beautiful!
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My Website:
http://www.freewebs.com/lisamariesbasketry/index.htm |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Mar 31 2008 : 07:05:31 AM
I hear ya, Amie...we were supposed to do these last summer, but alas, time just gets away from you, doesn't it? This year we were determined. I've also seen plastic ones in the Gardener's Supply catalogs for $139.00...seems like they'd last a while, too. We just couldn't pass up these oak barrels at $25 a pop, and last summer, when we uncorked them, our whole lot smelled like a really nice Merlot or Cabarenet :)
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| Amie C. |
Posted - Mar 31 2008 : 06:59:56 AM
That's neat! I want a rain barrel someday, but I am just getting started on my own project that should have happened two years ago. Regrading the yard! Yay! I think rain barrels could tie in though...
My parents have a barrel much like that one that has stood around in the back yard for as long as I can remember. I think it's in bad shape though. Probably wouldn't hold water at this point. But maybe I'll try to steal it away from them. |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Mar 31 2008 : 06:48:56 AM
It Works, it WORKS!!!! We had a nice little bit of rain yesterday (and for once this Spring, I didn't mind because we were "testing" the rain barrels) and Jus, bless him, was so excited to show me the spicket pressure and that water coming out SOOOO easily :)...
Ta Daaaa!!!!!
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| Alee |
Posted - Mar 29 2008 : 7:38:16 PM
LOL I am- but only by about 640 miles. I don't think that is close enough! How about you and Jus move westward?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Mar 29 2008 : 7:19:10 PM
Alee, I'd give it to you in a heartbeat--if ONLY you could move EASTWARD!!!!
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| Alee |
Posted - Mar 29 2008 : 6:47:02 PM
I wish I could afford postage! I would buy them from you in a heartbeat!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
