My husband never got around to setting up a rain barrel system under our downspout, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. I set out several 5-gal. pails, a large plastic garbage can, and even my wheelbarrow along the ground, in a line, directly under the garage roof edge. After a good rain, I was surprised to find all of them filled to the brim. Now I leave them there and continually have enough to water my plants!
I am using kitty litter buckets to collect my rain water. I can't keep it due to very high mosquito activity this year but it works for the next watering.
I use a variety of large water containers here in Florida to collect rainwater for my plants, lining them up under the eaves to take advantage of every drop.. Water is very expensive and highly restricted in this area because we have been in and (very seldom)out of drought here for many years.
For the same reason I grow smaller versions of several fruit trees and fruit bearing bushes in very large pots since it is easier to assure them enough water to at least stay alive in the worst times. I don't know about your area but here there are two problems that need vigilance. The first is mosquitoes. I am careful to add Prestrike or a similar product to the water barrels often to assure that mosquitoes cannot grow in them. The other problem is mold growing on the concrete garage or house walls behind the barrels.
Again vigilance is the key. As soon as I see some starting to grow I scrub it down with a healthy squirt of THE WORKS, an inexpensive toilet cleaning product. Also a dusting of Comet cleanser on the soil kills off the spores that the mold grows from.
Login using the form on the top of the page to post feedback (if you are a registered user). If you have not yet registered, click here to do so. It's FREE!.
