Rain collection systems provide water for garden plants while lessening pollution.
People collected rainwater for gardening as much as 4,000 years ago, with the practice arising in the Middle East. Today, with fresh water at a premium, rainwater collection systems have experienced a revival in cities across the United States, according to Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Using rainwater conserves water and reduces environmental pollution. Your own rain collection system also provides your garden with water free of salt, pollution and chemical additives such as chlorine that are harmful to healthy plant growth. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Purchase a barrel to hold the rainwater. The barrel should have a 30- to 80-gallon capacity and include a tight-fitting lid. Consider using more than one barrel to increase the water-holding ability of your collection system.
2. Drill a hole in the side of the barrel near the bottom. Make the hole smaller than the spigot to avoid leaking. The exact placement of the hole and spigot depends on how you plan to move the water from the barrel to the garden for watering. Many people place the barrel on a platform, using gravity to move the water through a hose, according to Brooklyn Botanic Garden. If you simply plan to use a watering can, leave enough room under the spigot to fit the can for filling.
3. Screw the spigot into the drilled hole and test the barrel for leakage. Correct leaking around the spigot by applying Teflon tape to the threaded spigot end. Screw it back in and test again. Repeat as necessary, until the spigot hole stops leaking.
4. Put screening over the holes at the top of the barrel. Secure these in place with wire. This keeps insects, leaves and other items out of the collected rainwater.
5. Place cinder blocks next to a downspout on the house or other structure from which you will collect the rainwater. Place the barrel on this raised platform. Cut the downspout with a hacksaw to stop directly above the top of the barrel. Attach a hose to the spigot on the barrel, if desired.
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