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Using fewer resources is something many of us strive for, but it can be difficult.  Using less water though is easy as long as you start Rainwater Harvesting with a Rain Barrel.  There isn’t a better time to start collecting rainwater than the fall, so make sure you have enough rainwater barrels to save as much of this free resource as you can.

Whether you’re a keen gardener or just like to keep the car clean, harvesting rainwater makes sense.  You get to stock up when water is plentiful and use it whenever you like, even if the water company’s are telling you not too!  Keeping the lawn lush in a long dry summer is simple so long as you collect as much rain water as you can.  Rain barrels are simple to install, and now come in a myriad of designs to suit any garden taste.

Using a rainwater barrel is simply a matter of connecting your down-pipe to the barrel.  Divert the water and collect everything your roof has to offer.  As well as harvesting a valuable resource you can also divert water away from the footings of your home or other areas where heavy rains can be damaging.

Whether you buy specially designed rain barrel or make your own rainwater barrels from recycled plastic drums doesn’t really matter.  But the key things to remember are:

1. Install an overflow so you can divert excess water away when full.
2. Ensure a watering can will fit easily under the rain barrel’s spigot.
3. Have a debris filter fitted.
4. Ensure the lid is childproof if your garden is frequented by adventurous kids.
5. Add mosquito dunks to kill mosquito larvae if there is no lid.
6. You can never have too many rainwater barrels and they are easy to connect together via the overflow system so you can add to your collection in the years to come.

You’ll be surprised by how much rainwater can be harvested from even the smallest roofs so don’t think against the main house is the only place to put a rainwater barrel.  Rain barrels can make useful additions to the guttering system on sheds, greenhouses and anything else with a roof in your yard.

Plants prefer rainwater as it is free of minerals and chemicals found in mains treated water.  So use rain water to irrigate sensitive plants in particular.

One thing particularly good about harvesting rainwater is that it makes those dull grey and wet days of Fall have a purpose!

Rain Barrels no longer need to be an eyesore.  There are numerous cheap designs which actually make a feature out of Rainwater Harvesting with attractive looks both antiquated and ultra modern and planters incorporated to make use of all the available space in your yard.