Homeowners can collect rainwater off their roof and use it to water the garden. Conserving water in this fashion is an eco-friendly alternative to using sprinklers or other irrigation systems in the garden. The easiest way to collect water from your roof is with a rain barrel, which is a large food-grade barrel that you set under the downspout of your roof gutters. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Set one rain barrel under the downspout of each of the gutters that line the edge of your roof. Set the barrels on a flat, even surface, so it will not spill as it fills. The spot should be higher in elevation than the garden, so you can use gravity to transfer the water to the garden. If it is not, set the barrel up on concrete blocks or a wooden crate.
2. Turn the rain barrel so the mesh-covered opening in the top sits directly underneath the downspout. As water pours off the roof and into the gutters, the downspout will direct the flow into the barrel.
3. Screw a garden hose into the spigot at the bottom of the rain barrel. Open the spigot when you are ready to water the garden. Gravity will push the water through the hose and out of the end. Water your garden according to the needs of the plants.
4. Screw a soaker hose into the spigot of the rain barrel, if you want continuous watering instead of periodic watering with a garden hose. A soaker hose has holes along its length and slowly releases water into the soil.
5. Lay the length of the soaker hose through the garden, next to the plants you want to water. Open the spigot of the rain barrel.
Tags: rain barrel, soaker hose, water garden, your roof, garden hose, hose into