rain barrels

If you are concerned about your rain ph run a simple water test on it from you local hardware store or ask at your local ag office if you should be concerned they are usually a great help.

I would run a drip hose system for veggies off your barrel(s). They are really simple to set up and simpler to use. I would also suggest that you toss a few gold fish in your barrel,( just make sure you leave enough water in it for them) to deal with the mosquitoes problem that seems so many rain barrels. It was a tip that I heard over on byc and it seems to work great. Also be sure to put the barrel up on blocks high enough to get your pressure to run the drip line. I found two concrete blocks high seems to be about right for me.
 
nightshade said:
If you are concerned about your rain ph run a simple water test on it from you local hardware store or ask at your local ag office if you should be concerned they are usually a great help.

I would run a drip hose system for veggies off your barrel(s). They are really simple to set up and simpler to use. I would also suggest that you toss a few gold fish in your barrel,( just make sure you leave enough water in it for them) to deal with the mosquitoes problem that seems so many rain barrels. It was a tip that I heard over on byc and it seems to work great. Also be sure to put the barrel up on blocks high enough to get your pressure to run the drip line. I found two concrete blocks high seems to be about right for me.
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Thanks for the tips I hope to have a rain barrel system this year
 
http://home.comcast.net/~leavesdance/rainbarrels/safety.html

I'm no expert, but I'm guessing that you're better off collecting water from a metal roof than an asphalt one. The comment about getting a water test done is a good one. Then you don't have anything to worry about.

Also, I keep a pretty fine screen on top of my barrel, where the water enters, and it keeps both grit and mosquitos out of my barrel. And I make sure to empty it each week. It's pretty amazing how fast it fills up with a good soaking rain.
 
Do y'all have any suggestions where to find a cheap safe barrell? I've been using 5 gallon buckets, which is better than nothing, but I would like to be able to get more water, I'm just on a limited budget.
 
I would just recommend not drinking the rainwater and it sounds like that is not your intention. Using it to water plants should be ok . . . whether or not you feel comfortable using it on veggies is your call. I have heard that there is not much information on whether galvanized metal (in contact with water) causes problems with soil/plants.
 
Blue skys -- our locally owned hardware store sells food grade plastic "rain" barrels fairly cheap. You might ask around for large food grade barrels. Some of ours were originally used to hold Coca cola concentrate. They smelled for a year or so. :P
 
blue skys said:
Do y'all have any suggestions where to find a cheap safe barrell? I've been using 5 gallon buckets, which is better than nothing, but I would like to be able to get more water, I'm just on a limited budget.
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I plan to use RUbbermaid garbage cans for rain barrels, its fairly easy to install a spigot and put screen over the top.
 
blue skys said:
Do y'all have any suggestions where to find a cheap safe barrell? I've been using 5 gallon buckets, which is better than nothing, but I would like to be able to get more water, I'm just on a limited budget.
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I'm not sure if they have Orscheln's where you are, but it's a farm store around here. I got 2 fully set up rain barrels from them last year for $30 each! That was waaaay cheaper than any others I saw. Maybe Tractor Supply carries them that cheap, too?

ETA: I'm finally "Attractive to Bees"!!! Yay!!!!
 
curly_kate said:
ETA: I'm finally "Attractive to Bees"!!! Yay!!!!
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Aww.... long as you are attractive to us that's all that matters! LOL

P.s. - I find rain barrels on Craigslist all the time for $30-$40
 
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