It is helpful to collect as much rain water as possible to keep plants and flowers hydrated and healthy during the drier seasons. One way to accomplish this is to make rain barrels, which catch rain water and store it until needed. Rather than turning on a garden hose or sprinkler system, you can open your rain barrels and water your plants sufficiently. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Drill two holes in your rain barrel, one about four inches from the top lip, the other about four to six inches from the bottom using a drill and paddle bit. Each hole should accommodate the outdoor water faucets' sizes, which is typically 3/4 inches in diameter. The top hole will act as an overflow valve; the lower valve will act as a watering valve.
2. Wrap each outdoor water faucet's threading in Teflon tape and then twist one into each hole to seal the connection. Shut both faucets off, then rinse and clean the rain barrel. Fill the barrel with water, using a garden hose; add 2 teaspoons of vinegar plus 2 teaspoons of mild detergent for every gallon of water added. Open the bottom faucet and let the barrel empty. Rinse twice to clean the barrel entirely.
3. Stretch louver screen over the top of the barrel. Pull it taut over the barrel's opening and staple it in place along the ridge of the barrel. Set the rain barrel on brick pavers -- so not to kill all the grass directly under the rain barrel -- under a cut-off downspout or a place where the shape of the house funnels water off the roof.
4. Connect a garden hose to the top valve and open it. Position the garden hose away from your plants and flowers and the foundation of your house. Shut the bottom valve off. This configuration will allow overflow water to run away from your garden, lawn or home while preserving as much rain water as the barrel can hold. When needed, attach a garden hose to the bottom faucet and turn it on to water.
Tags: garden hose, rain barrel, rain water, about four, about four inches, away from