Rain water irrigation is the process of collecting rainwater and using it to water plants. Irrigating your plants this way is a simple way to save money and be more environmentally friendly. The irrigation system does not need to be complicated or expensive. A simple setup of rain barrels for collection and soaker hoses to distribute the water will be effective. The soaker hoses use gravity instead of water pressure, so you will not need a pump of any kind. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Level the ground under each downspout of the house with a shovel or rake. Remove any rocks or debris.
2. Make a cinder block square under each downspout by setting the blocks flush against each other. The square needs to be big enough to support the rain barrels. These bases will elevate the barrels above the garden, providing enough water pressure for the hoses.
3. Wrap the threads of the rain barrel spigots with two to three layers of Teflon tape. This will prevent water from leaking out of the connection between the hose and the spigot.
4. Screw a soaker hose over the spigot on each rain barrel. Unroll the soaker hose into the garden or lawn.
5. Open the spigots on the rain barrels whenever you want to water the plants. As rain collects in the barrels, it will flow through the soaker hoses and into the soil.
6. Cover the hoses with a 1 to 2 inch layer of mulch or sod to prevent them from drying out or cracking.
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