Install a Rain Barrel to Save Water

The economy is a concern for everyone, including vegetable gardeners. The expenses involved in creating and maintaining a back yard vegetable garden can be considerable when the seasonal water bill is thrown into the mix. Fortunately, there are a few ways a gardener can save water and a few dollars in the process. Installing one or more rain barrels near the vegetable patch is a reasonable investment that will enable any gardener to conserve water for later use in irrigating growing flower and vegetable plants.

Rain barrels are available in several shapes and sizes, so finding one to suit individual gardens should not be too great a challenge. In Canada, rain barrels are available for purchase at TSC stores as well as Canadian Tire outlets, already fitted with required hardware such as a tap, overflow hole, lid and/or screen. Other retail locations such as garden centres and home improvement centres are also a good place to look. Food-grade barrels are also a perfectly suitable and less expensive alternative, although fitting them with the necessary hardware will be an additional expense.

In spring, classified ads often feature recycled food-grade storage barrels, and newspaper fliers may highlight rain barrel sales. Yard sales are also a good place to look out for large containers that can be used for rain barrels. The container need only be large enough to hold water, be free of holes and within budget. Transportation of the barrel(s) may require a truck or van, depending on the size.

Once the barrels have been transported home, a suitable location should be sought out for installation. The base of a downspout is the ideal spot, but rain water can be collected anywhere. An average steady rainfall will fill one or two rain barrels, depending on the size of the roof that feeds the downspout that is directed into the barrel.

The rain barrel will need a sturdy base, and if a tap is installed near the bottom of the barrel, it may be preferable to raise the barrel up a foot or so from the ground, making it easier to fill a watering can, or affix a hose. A couple of concrete blocks makes a suitable base, and raises the barrel up the desired height from the ground.

If the barrel is being positioned beneath a downspout, a few pieces of essential hardware should be purchased from a hardware store. A piece of extension pipe that is manufactured for the purpose of extending a downspout is perfect. Cut the downspout to the necessary height, then affix the flexible extension pipe to the end of the downspout, directing the other end of it into the barrel. If the barrel has a lid, cut a hole in the lid with a jigsaw to allow the spout to fit inside. Likewise, a mesh lid can be used instead, which will allow water into the barrel, without letting any leaves or other material inside. A covered lid is likely preferable, however, in response to concerns about mosquito borne illnesses such as West Nile Virus. Install a basic tap in the base of the barrel, if the barrel did not come equipped with one. Most tap systems that are available at hardware stores come with a detailed set of instructions for installation.

If the rain barrel is considered unsightly, place some plants around it to camouflage it in the garden. If chicken wire is wrapped around the barrel, climbing plants such as morning glories, scarlet runner beans or nasturtiums will quickly and easily grow around the sides, hiding it from sight.

After the first rainfall, be prepared to be surprised at how quickly the barrel will fill up!