Saving rainwater

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sherlyn Clifton Hill, MO Jul 03, 2009

Has anyone made or used a container that would attach to your house gutter where you can collect rainwater? I'd love a cheap and easy way to have water for my plants. I'd like one that has a lid so I don't have to fight mosquitoes. Thanks!!

Post #6774028
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Jul 04, 2009

Sherlyn,
We have been capturing rainwater for about 12 years now, and all we do is position a large plastic barrel (55 gal. barrels if we can get them, or a 32 gal. garbage can) where the downspout of the guttering will spill into the barrel. We set the barrel on concrete blocks or patio stones to make it level, cut the downspout so that it extends 6" into the barrel, and let 'er rip!
As to mosquitoes, we use dunks (bacillus thurengensis doughnuts available at big box stores and most hardware stores). One-quarter of a dunk is sufficient for each barrel (the dunks work by surface area, not by volume of water) and we have no problem with mosquitoes, although the barrels have no cover.
I dip and carry water to our two vegetable gardens, two herb gardens, and several flower beds. I think rainwater is better for the plants than municipal water with its chemicals and I know it's a darn sight cheaper. Some folks raise their barrels more and install a spigot near the bottom so they can either use a hose or fill a bucket/watering can.
We have found that municipal water supplies, car washes, fast food restaurants and some manufacturing sites have large plastic barrels for little or no cost. Just ask what was originally in the barrel so you know if you need to rinse/disinfect before using.
By all means, collect and use rainwater!

Post #6777409
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MollyMc Archer/Bronson, FL(Zone 8b) Jul 05, 2009

Or if you are handy or have someone handy close by, you could use this method.

Our gardeners over in Jacksonville had a rain barrel making class. We put a spigot down near the bottom and one near the top.

You can attach a hose to either spigot to deliver the water to your plants. The top spigot is for the overflow. I leave a hose on that in the open position all the time leading to a young willow I want to have extra water.

We also cut a top in the barrel to fit the downspout so it doesn't have an open water surface for those pesky biters.

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Post #6778649
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MollyMc Archer/Bronson, FL(Zone 8b) Jul 05, 2009

Here's one installed at my house. I have 2 of these and another
large container that has no lid. It was a water softener thingy. That one has an open top and I use the dipper to get that water out.

The one at the corner of the house in the dog yard has a short hose from the overflow hanging into a 5 gallon bucket. The girls always have water to drink out there.

I have 2 more containers to set up as soon as I get the proper drill bits.

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Post #6778663
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