Your roof can be a funnel to collect rainwater.
There's no better water for your garden and landscape plants than rainwater. The problem is that Mother Nature tends to supply it on an irregular basis. Still, it's possible to use the roof and gutter system on your roof to funnel rainwater into a storage barrel so you can meter it out to your plants during periodic dry spells. Does this Spark an idea?
Location
Choose the location for your rain barrel carefully. You will want it to be fed by one of the largest expanses of roof on your home because the larger the roof, the more water it will collect. Choose a location where the presence of the barrel won't look out of place and is as close as practical to the garden or flower beds that will use the water.
Barrel
The larger the barrel, the more water you can store. Common sizes are 30- and 55-gallon. Steel, plastic and wooden barrels are available. You may be able to find used plastic or steel barrels, but you will likely have to purchase a wooden barrel.
Platform
The easiest way for you to deliver the water to your plants is to elevate the barrel high enough so that the water can gravity-flow from the barrel. A stout platform 2 feet high will do the trick for most homes. A full 55-gallon barrel will weigh more than 450 lbs. when full.
Connections
You will need to purchase fittings for your gutter down-spout pipe to channel the water into the top of the barrel. A garden hose shut-off valve will need to be plumbed into the bottom of the barrel so you can attach a hose to deliver the water where it's needed.
Tags: Choose location, deliver water, more water, roof funnel, water your, will need, your plants