Rain barrels are an often overlooked tool in the garden. They are a fantastic way to not only conserve water and promote sustainable gardening practices, but they can also add another element of beauty to your garden’s design.. Here are some reasons why rain barrels can be effective and tips for getting the most out of using them.
The Benefits of Using a Rain Barrel:
- Save Money While Conserving Water Usage: Collecting rainwater can help to reduce your water bill and is also an eco-friendly choice. They can be quite useful in areas prone to drought or water restrictions, especially during peak gardening seasons.
- Healthier Plants: Free from chemicals such as fluoride and chlorine, rainwater is naturally soft and can improve plant health, especially for sensitive species.
- Prevent Flooding & Help Control Soil Erosion: Collecting rainwater helps to prevent runoff, which can cause flooding and damage to your garden’s plants and topsoil.
What Size of Rain Barrel to Use:
- Consider your garden’s size & your roof’s size: For a small garden, a rain barrel of around 50 to 75 gallons may suffice. For larger gardens, you might need a 100-gallon or larger capacity barrel, or even multiple connected barrels. The amount of rain that your roof catches helps to determine how much water you can collect. You can use the following rule of thumb to help you estimate what size of barrel you may need. For every 1,000 square feet of roof area, an inch of rain can yield about 600 gallons of water.
- Knowing your garden water usage: Estimate your water needs will also help you to determine the size of rain barrel to use. A vegetable garden generally requires around 1 inch of water per week, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. With this formula, this means that about 0.62 gallons per square foot of garden space is needed.
The Best Location for a Rain Barrel:
- Under a Downspout: Positioning your barrel under a downspout will ensure that your rain barrel can easily collect runoff from your roof.
- On an Elevated Surface: Elevating the barrel on a stand or bricks can improve water pressure and make it easier to fill watering cans or attach a hose.
- In Close Proximity to the Garden: Placing your rain barrel close to your garden will help to make watering the garden easier, save you time, and will help to avoid using unsightly hoses.
- In Relation to the Overall Location: Placing your rain barrel in a shaded spot will help prevent algae growth inside the barrel. If the barrel is placed in a sunny location, consider a dark-colored barrel to help minimize light exposure inside the barrel, which will help to reduce algae formation.
Other Helpful Considerations:
- Use a Debris Filter: Installing a screen or filter on your rain barrel will assist in keeping leaves, twigs, and insects from contaminating the water. Keeping your filter clean and the lid locked on your rain barrel will help to keep the water fresh and clean.
- How to Manage Overflow: Use a rain barrel that has an overflow valve so that excess water will be directed away from the foundation of your home or any other structure.
- Cleaning and Maintenance: Create a regular routine to clean your rain barrel to prevent clogs and algae buildup. Be sure to drain and clean the barrel and leave the spigot open, before storing in a cool, dry place for the winter.
- Consider Connecting Multiple Barrels: For larger gardens, you can connect multiple barrels together using a linking kit, which will increase water storage capacity.
A rain barrel system will not only provide you with convenience, but it will help you to have easy access to a reliable and eco-friendly way to water your garden and to enhance the plants and produce growing in it.