We got 2 rain barrels from TS. They will be sitting around the corner from each other, one on side of house, other on back. I need ideals on what the sit them on that will look good because they can been seen from the road. This is the barrel we got, but not our house. If anyone has pictures or thoughts I would like to see them. Thanks in advance.
Lesa
Well........with the weight of the water..it better be sturdy. I would guess a cinder block base? Then just make a section of free standing fence( to camouflage them from the road) that could be easily moved for access to the barrel.
I live in the Pacific Northwest... we ARE a rain barrel....lol
Good luck!
This message was edited Mar 17, 2009 6:07 AM
I've got several sets of barrels
The barrels are set up in pairs, one set on each side of the house, one set at the greenhouse. All sets are on wooden stands.
Each pair of barrels are connected to each other by bulkhead fittings and hose.
Each set of barrels at the house are connected by a hose. One barrel in each set has a tap with a Y.
This set of barrels is the first ones we put together. This picture shows how the barrels are connected to each other (clear hose) the black hose connected to the Y tap goes around the back of the house to the other set of barrels. The toggle on the tap allows me to fill a container of water, or connect another hose and water.
this pair of barrels are on the other side of the house. the black hose connects both sets, and as the rain fills the other set, this set of barrels fills via the hose and the downspout from the flat roof on the house.
the other set of barrels at the greenhouse. these barrels collect the water from the greenhouse roof. By connecting a hose between this set of barrels and one of the sets at the house, I can use water from all 3 pairs of barrels
This pair is also connected to each other (fittings are on the 'bottom' of the barrels, and there's a connection from one of the barrels thru the back of the greenhouse with a tap on the inside. There's enough gravity water pressure to water with a hose inside the greenhouse.
almost last, but not least, the freestanding barrel in the garden.
because this barrel came with two threaded holes molded in the top, it was mounted on it's side.
I can attach one end of a hose into the top hole, and connect the other end to the set of barrels at the greenhouse, and fill this barrel.
A tap/hose connection on this barrel lets me water the garden. Gravity water pressure does not wash out plants... and another bonus the water is always warm from the sun.
I've got another 3 barrels. Last summer one contained a batch of alfalfa tea, one was used as storage for surplus water (we had LOTS of rain this past summer) and the other barrel was home to my baby bass.
A few dollars at the hardware store in the plumbing section, a couple hoses, and I've got a very convenient method to store and use rainwater.
Hi Lesa, I just came across your request for rain barrel info. There have been a few good articles written here on Dave's Gardens you may want to do a search to find. If I recall DGer 'darius' wrote one of them.
Good luck with your project ^_^
forgot to say...
to find previous DG articles go to the tab: "Guides and Information"
scroll down to "Articles"
then search for what you are looking for
An air conditioning supply store has those small square concrete "slabs" for air conditioners.
That would be sturdy and they could easily be leveled
I have a blog where I have step by step photos of our rain barrel. Please visit at kirbyplant.blogspot.com Hope it's helpful.
Here's darius' article:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1549/
Nancy
All your info has been a big help. We finally got our barrels set up just in time for the rain. We have 2 barrels like the one pictured -- the filled up in a hurry. We also have 2 of the big drums that are close to full. Right now the water is being used to fill the goat's water tanks and is making life a little easier on DH. (at first he didn't think it would be worth while to use rain barrels, yea right!!!)
Thanks again for all your help
Lesa
