topic Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard? in Garden

Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

SouthernBee — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 20:53:16 GMT

Like everyone else trying to save some money. Family member has a small garden. Really appreciate information or suggestions from any one that has tried this.

Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

meem120 — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 20:59:16 GMT

We dont have a barrell, but my husband collects the rain water for our garden in diffrent size buckets. Easier for him to manage and pick up. We have a well and rain has been scarce.

Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

ChiliPepper — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 21:06:42 GMT

@SouthernBee

@meem120

Funny you should mention this because I was JUST thinking about a rain barrel on my way to work.

I need to figure out though, how to NOT have it a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Definitely giving it more thought.

Do you have one or are you looking into it too?

Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

geezerette — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 21:17:10 GMT

I used to just use a large plastic garbage can. Placed it under the drip line at the back of the house where it got the most runoff. (We didn't have eaves troughs or downspouts.)

Take the lid off when it was expected to rain, put the lid back on when it stopped raining. That kept the bugs out. Every once in a while I'd let the water get low and clean it out.

Not a fancy option nor good if you live where the temps go below freezing, but it was cheap and I only used it to water my outside plants.

Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

KingstonsMom — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 21:23:55 GMT

Here in the southern states (GA), we don't do that.

We have a lot of mosquitoes which lead to heartworm disease, something that we pay for to prevent, and it's not cheap!

The treatment to our pets for heartworm is even worse....they can only treat it with arsenic, very hard on the pet and VERY expensive.

We remove any standing water immediately, even after a heavy rain.....

Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

Snowpuppy — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 21:37:17 GMT

They are popular up here but our temps keep the mosquitos down.

That said, my township here in podunk passed a resolution about "diverting rainwater'. There is a $500 fine.

I've also read some areas in FL have outlawed them as well.

Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

RedTop — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 21:51:56 GMT

@SouthernBee

Growing up we always had rain barrels catching the runoff from our house roof, and the granary roof.

Catching this water was essential to watering our garden and feeding our hogs, when the creek dried up. Back in those days no one was concerned about the water being a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Vet calls were essential for down cows and pigs, but farm people didn't have pets receiving care in the way we care for our cats, dogs, birds, etc. now.

Tractor Supply and Rural King have very nice closed rain barrels now to collect water, and you can add chemical treatment tabs to stop mosquitoes from hatching in the water.

Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

SouthernBee — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 23:09:06 GMT

@meem120 wrote:
We dont have a barrell, but my husband collects the rain water for our garden in diffrent size buckets. Easier for him to manage and pick up. We have a well and rain has been scarce.

@meem120 : Thank you. My concern was about using buckets or whatever and that could take a lot extra time and effort.

Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

SouthernBee — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 23:12:48 GMT

@ChiliPepper wrote:
@SouthernBee
@meem120

Funny you should mention this because I was JUST thinking about a rain barrel on my way to work.

I need to figure out though, how to NOT have it a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Definitely giving it more thought.

Do you have one or are you looking into it too?

@ChiliPepper : My concern was the mosquitoes because they have a dog. I was trying to research this but thought someone could help. Just do extra research to help family member. Thank you.

Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

SouthernBee — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 23:16:09 GMT

@geezerette wrote:
I used to just use a large plastic garbage can. Placed it under the drip line at the back of the house where it got the most runoff. (We didn't have eaves troughs or downspouts.)

Take the lid off when it was expected to rain, put the lid back on when it stopped raining. That kept the bugs out. Every once in a while I'd let the water get low and clean it out.

Not a fancy option nor good if you live where the temps go below freezing, but it was cheap and I only used it to water my outside plants.

@geezerette : Thank you. I was considering a garbage can but worried about bugs and using buckets to water the garden.

Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

SouthernBee — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 23:18:16 GMT

@KingstonsMom wrote:
Here in the southern states (GA), we don't do that.

We have a lot of mosquitoes which lead to heartworm disease, something that we pay for to prevent, and it's not cheap!

The treatment to our pets for heartworm is even worse....they can only treat it with arsenic, very hard on the pet and VERY expensive.

We remove any standing water immediately, even after a heavy rain.....

@KingstonsMom : I was concerned about the mosquitoes and they have a dog.

Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

SouthernBee — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 23:20:24 GMT

@Snowpuppy wrote:
They are popular up here but our temps keep the mosquitos down.

That said, my township here in podunk passed a resolution about "diverting rainwater'. There is a $500 fine.

I've also read some areas in FL have outlawed them as well.

@Snowpuppy : Thank you. Haven't thoufgt about city resolutions against this.

Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

SouthernBee — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 23:23:54 GMT

@RedTop wrote:
@SouthernBee
Growing up we always had rain barrels catching the runoff from our house roof, and the granary roof.

Catching this water was essential to watering our garden and feeding our hogs, when the creek dried up. Back in those days no one was concerned about the water being a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Vet calls were essential for down cows and pigs, but farm people didn't have pets receiving care in the way we care for our cats, dogs, birds, etc. now.

Tractor Supply and Rural King have very nice closed rain barrels now to collect water, and you can add chemical treatment tabs to stop mosquitoes from hatching in the water.

@RedTop : Thank you. So true about how times and everything have changed. Rain barrels sounds like a simple solution but so many things to consider.

Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

drizzellla — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 23:35:29 GMT

For the past number of years our Sam's Club would sell containers to catch rain water. They had a faucet built into the container so you could drain the water into buckets or use a hose.

I did not see them this year but must admit I wasn't looking for them. I always thought it was such a good idea. My brother used to collect rain water for his garden. They were in a rural area and relied on well water. And sometimes in summer their well would run low.

Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

Mz iMac — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 23:49:25 GMT

I grew up around gardeners & where I live now, we have a community garden. Never in my 72 yrs have I seen gardeners use a "rain barrel" whatever that is. Is it an actual barrel?

Pots & pans as well as a mop bucket catches rain water just fine.

Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

proudlyfromNJ — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 23:57:03 GMT

@Mz iMac it's a big bucket. How much rain can you catch in a pot or pan? This collects a sufficient amount to use.

Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

mac116 — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 23:58:08 GMT

We haven't had much rain at all this spring and summer.

So little, that we need to water our lawn every other day (restricted to do that more often), and I water my flowers twice a day! UGH! My rain barrel would be dry.

Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

KingstonsMom — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 00:01:19 GMT

@SouthernBee wrote:

@KingstonsMom wrote:
Here in the southern states (GA), we don't do that.

We have a lot of mosquitoes which lead to heartworm disease, something that we pay for to prevent, and it's not cheap!

The treatment to our pets for heartworm is even worse....they can only treat it with arsenic, very hard on the pet and VERY expensive.

We remove any standing water immediately, even after a heavy rain.....
@KingstonsMom : I was concerned about the mosquitoes and they have a dog.

@SouthernBee

Our pets have always been on heartworm preventative, but in spite of that, our Sheltie, Harley. still got heartworms.

As I said, the treatment involves them being in the Vet hospital for 2 weeks, while being treated with arsenic to kill them, they have to be monitored constantly during the arsenic treatment.

Meet Harley.....

Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

Mz iMac — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 00:02:23 GMT

@proudlyfromNJ A couple of 5 qt pots is sufficient.

My father used pans for "showers." Then he poured the rain from the pans into "large spray" bottles.

The complex where I live, the gardeners use stainless steel mop buckets & 5 qt pots.

Re: Anyone using rain barrel to collect water to use in the garden or yard?

TheMemphisVette — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 00:06:37 GMT

Q has one. only 40 gallons

https://www.qvc.com/Mayne-Madison-Rain-Catcher.product.H372582.html?sc=SRCH

How to Keep Your Rain Barrels Free of Mosquitoes

Liquid Dish Soap. Use one tablespoon once a week or after each storm. The soap creates a film on the surface of the water, breaking the surface tension
Mosquito Dunks. Use one 1 dunk once a month or as needed. ...
Vegetable Oil. Use ¼ cup once a week or after each storm.