Rain Barrels

image courtesy of Barrel Depot

Spring is finally here! We should expect to see plenty of rain this season. Did you know that you could collect the rainwater falling on your roof and reuse it in your garden? When planning your landscape for this season, considering how installing rain barrels at your home will benefit the environment and your wallet. Rain Barrels are a great way to recycle rainwater. Rainwater is nutrient rich and naturally soft. This is far more beneficial to your landscape and vegetable or herb garden than watering with chemically treated municipal water. Not only will you be saving money by cutting the use on your municipal water to water your garden you will be helping the environment be preventing some of that water from running off your property and  into the storm water collection system.

As rainwater runs off our roofs and other impervious surfaces, (e.g. streets, driveways, walkways, patios, and even severely compacted soil) it flows through our properties, to the street, and into storm drains. As rainwater flows through our properties, it collects chemicals, debris and other pollutants in its path. Most people do not realize that stormwater runoff is not filtered through a water treatment facility to remove these pollutants before it is discharged into local lakes, rivers and streams. All of the pollutants collected along the way, has an adverse effect on us and the plants, animals, and fish in and around these waters. We enjoy these same waters for swimming and fishing. Collect some of this water from the downspouts at your home and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are doing your part to reduce stormwater runoff.

rain barrel made from converted food grade barrel

Select locations around your home to collect the rainwater that will be closest to areas you need to use water. If you will use most of the water collected to water your vegetable garden, make sure to collect plenty of rainwater near your garden. You can even link rain barrels together to maximize the amount you are able collect and reuse. They fill up faster than you may think. Attaching soaker hoses to a rain barrel to water your landscape plants is a great way to saturate the soil preventing evaporation. Don’t let watering your landscape limit your uses for the water. Water container gardens, rinse your car, wash the dog, anything you might use water for outside… just don’t drink it! Just remember when you wash your car, water on the lawn. This will allow the water to soak into the ground and prevent it from running off your driveway and into the stormwater drains.

If you live in the northern Illinois or southern Wisconsin areas and are interested in Crimson Valley Landscaping helping you with your landscape project, contact us today. If you are planning to purchase or make your own rain barrel, select a rain barrel that is a recycled product or made from recycled materials like a converted food grade barrel or a recycled wine barrel. Plastics used for rain barrels should be food grade and never used to store chemicals or petroleum products; this will prevent any chemicals or toxins from leaching into your harvested rainwater. Also, make sure your rain barrel has a screen where water enters your barrel to keep out debris and mosquitoes. Rain barrels will help you to conserve water and save money!