Super Eco

Photo credit: gardenwatersaver.com

Spring is on the way and it's time to plan some garden projects. Consider a rain barrel! (Yes, in the city, why not?) Rain barrels help reduce run-off into storm drains and they can provide fresh water for your garden and flower beds.

Here's one good way to build a rain barrel:

1. Find a re-used food grade plastic barrel (although any water-tight fifty to sixty gallon barrel that can be tightly covered will do).
2. Pick a place to install the barrel near a rain gutter down-spout. Build a level concrete block foundation for the barrel to rest on.
3. Cut a small hole in the top of the barrel that's big enough to insert the feed from your down-spout.
4. Drill a hole in the side of the barrel near the bottom and attach a spigot. Coat the threads of the spigot with clear silicone caulk before turning it in. Attach a 3/4 inch quarter turn ballcock hose bib. This is where you attach your garden hose later.
5. Place the barrel on the foundation.
6. Put a screen or mesh over the downspout hole in the rain gutters to keep the leaves out.

The last step is to direct water from your downspout into the rain barrel. You can do this two ways:

1. Cut off the downspout at a convenient height, attach flexible drain pipe and run it to the barrel. The disadvantage of this method is that when the barrel is full, the rainwater will overflow and soak the foundation.
2. Install a diverter. I recommend installing an inexpensive diverter to split the flow and return it to the downspout when the barrel is full. 

A few words of advice...  When your rain barrel is full, keep it covered! Otherwise your water will evaporate, and you could have a mosquito problem too.