It is time to start
planning for your spring and summer garden. This year, no matter where
you live, how large or small your home is, you can save water by using
a rain barrel. In the summer, the typical home uses 40–50% more water
than in the winter. A simple rain barrel collects and stores rainwater
that comes off your roof and is saved for later use in your garden. One
rain barrel can conserver up to 1,300 gallons of water each summer.
Besides saving water, this method also helps keep down pollution. Roof
water, known as storm water runoff, normally pours off your roof,
travels onto paved surfaces, collecting all sorts of pollutants left by
cars, trucks, lawn mowers, etc., and then flows into our storm drains
and into the sewer systems. The water then goes to a storm water
treatment facility for filtering. Unfortunately, this process uses
massive amounts of energy, which creates even more pollution. And not
all the pollutants can be removed from the water before it is returned
to the environment.
Your roof will have its own contaminants on it--from the roofing
material, to droppings from birds and other animals, to settled air
pollutants. The water from the rain barrel, then, is not to be used for
drinking or washing, but it is safe for watering your flowers, lawn,
your house plants, and for washing your back yard equipment, bikes,
etc. Some people use the water for the vegetable gardens, too, as they
let the ground around the vegetables act as a natural filter. See the
links below on how to do this. Some people set up their rain barrels so
they slowly release the collected rain water to selected areas of their
gardens. Later, in the winter months, the rain barrel is emptied so
that it does not crack from ice that would otherwise form in it.
Rain barrels cost from $90 to $135, and come in many sizes and with
different features. Some are simply utilitarian and some a bit fancy.
They can be purchased online or at some local garden supply stores. You
can also do a quick Internet search and learn how to make your own rain
barrel, or use the resources below. Making your own will cost only
about $20.
Rain barrels are simple and fun gadgets that help the environment and
keep you aware of the many things you can do around the home to help
the earth. And don't forget that native plants use less water than
non-native and exotic plants, and lawns are the biggest wasters of
water all summer long. So plan to minimize or get rid of your lawns,
plant native species, and begin to use your new rain barrel.
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