| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Montrose Girl |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 06:59:35 AM
Does anyone else have rain barrels? I called them water barrels because I don't have a roof to collect the rain (underground house), instead I have set up water barrels and every time I do dishes or take a shower, I collect the water and pour it in. I've got a screen and use cheesecloth to really strain out the food particles, then cover. I'm so excited, because though we are getting lots of moisture right now, come summer it will end and it is very dry here.
Best Growing |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Montrose Girl |
Posted - Mar 24 2010 : 05:51:43 AM
The biggest thing is to anchor them until they get full enough. We have very strong winds here. Mom found her barrels in the neighbor's yard a few times last year, as we hadn't hooked them up.
Best Growing |
| solilly |
Posted - Mar 23 2010 : 07:28:13 AM
Please keep us all up dated I have wanted to do this as well and because of cost have put it on hold. I have also been told you can use large rubbermaid trash cans and they do not cost as much. then you can fix them as you want. Lilly 
learning the life I always wanted. |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Mar 23 2010 : 07:18:14 AM
We have 3 on each corner of our house, connected to the downspouts of the gutters. I water the garden all summer long with the water collected. My husband made our from oak wine barrels that we got on the cheap from a local vintner he knew. It's been a great resource for us, and we really do save a great deal on water in the summer months.
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
| Montrose Girl |
Posted - Mar 23 2010 : 07:14:41 AM
We got the water barrels at the local farm shop for $50, which is half the cost of a normal rain barrel. I'm using those since I am adding the water by hand. I did buy a "rain" barrel from home depot for moms because it came with the kit to hook it up to the gutter system. I haven't hooked it up to any system yet. I haven't decided and may try different ones on each barrel to test. I'm very excited.
Best Growing |
| Fiddlehead Farm |
Posted - Mar 23 2010 : 05:13:18 AM
I have one rain barrel now, but am adding two more. I use a drip hose and run it to my tomato bed and it works great.
Why not go out on a limb, that's where all the fruit is! "Mark Twain"
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922 |
| Kerbear |
Posted - Mar 22 2010 : 8:28:42 PM
We have been considering them too for the garden! Thanks for your post, Laurie, I am very interested to see how everyone likes the barrels.
~Kerry Anne
Farmgirl Sister #975 |
| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 8:09:42 PM
We have two rain barrels and I love them. We set them up just as soon we are sure winter is over. I use them for my flowers only since the water is collected from the roof gutters. I have an organic vegetable garden and I try to keep it chemical free as best as I can when watering.
I do run out of water in them a few times during the summer, then I have to use the hose. I try not to use our water too much since we have our own well. I also believe my flowers do better with the rain water.
Good luck with yours!
Dawn in IL |
| Ms. Hannigan |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 7:45:12 PM
I hope to put some in this year, and then use the water on the garden. They are pretty expensive though, so must go on the list of projects and be tackled in order. I really want to collect the water off the new shop, as it has a BIG roof, and I bet I could completely water the garden from it. Good luck!
...some women are drippin' with diamonds... some women are drippin' with pearls... look at me, lucky me, the only thing I'm drippin' with is... little girls...
Farmgirl #1158
blog: http://www.lifegetsmessy.com
website: http://www.eatlocaltn.com |
| knittinchick |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 10:19:11 AM
Laurie, I wish my Mom and I did, but we don't. My friend has one, though, and hers is very successful.
God's Blessings,
Megan aka Loretta Rae
At heart, I am both a sassy city girl and a down-home country gal. |
| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 08:48:17 AM
We don't have them but it is something I have considered - let us know how it works out. Are you using yours with drip-irrigation?
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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| Chives |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 08:48:03 AM
That is a great idea. Vicki |
