| Author |
Garden Gate:  Water Barrels  |
|
|
Montrose Girl
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm
1360 Posts
Laurie
Montrose
CO
1360 Posts |
 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 |
Edited by - Montrose Girl on Mar 23 2010 07:15:07 AM |
|
|
Chives
True Blue Farmgirl
232 Posts
Victoria
Shelton
Washington
USA
232 Posts |
Posted - Mar 21 2010 : 08:48:03 AM
|
| That is a great idea. Vicki |
 |
|
|
graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
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"
|
|
|
|
knittinchick
True Blue Farmgirl
1854 Posts
Megan
Wisconsin
1854 Posts |
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. |
|
|
|
Ms. Hannigan
True Blue Farmgirl
57 Posts
Shari
Middle
TN
USA
57 Posts |
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 |
|
|
|
ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4860 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4860 Posts |
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 |
|
|
|
Kerbear
True Blue Farmgirl
261 Posts
Kerry
Middle
Tennessee
USA
261 Posts |
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 |
|
|
|
Fiddlehead Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
4562 Posts
Diane
Waupaca
WI
USA
4562 Posts |
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 |
|
|
|
Montrose Girl
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm
1360 Posts
Laurie
Montrose
CO
1360 Posts |
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 |
|
|
|
FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
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/ |
|
|
|
solilly
True Blue Farmgirl
726 Posts
Lillian
Williamsburg
Virginia
USA
726 Posts |
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. |
|
|
|
Montrose Girl
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm
1360 Posts
Laurie
Montrose
CO
1360 Posts |
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 |
|
|
| |
Garden Gate: Water Barrels |
|
Water Barrels
