Rain Barrels/Water Harvesting

Dirt Doctor Weekly Newsletter

Rain Barrels/Water Harvesting

My grandmother taught me the importance of catching rainwater when I was a kid in Pittsburg, Texas. Any container can be used but rain barrels have become popular. Rain barrels are to collect rain from rooftops. They come in several different shapes and sizes, but they all do basically the same thing—save water and decrease storm run off. A typical rain barrel can hold 55-75 gallons of water at one time. When connected to a watering hose, a rain barrel can hold a water supply for watering gardens and potted plants. Rain barrels can be purchased from garden supply centers, feed stores, hardware stores or can easily be built.

A 50 'x 40' collection surface yields 2,000 SF.

1" of rain on 1,000 SF yields 600 gallons of runoff . (623 gallons to be exact)

For a 50'x40' surface the collection from a 1" rain would be 1,200 gallons.

Rain Barrels cost anywhere from $40 to $140. If you choose to build your own barrel, here are some websites with information  for construction of your own rain barrel.

Here are a few online sites with tips about how to build your own rain barrel:

https://hgic.clemson.edu/rain-barrels-a-family-or-housemates-activity/ (This page includes a number of links to various rain collecting methods)

How to Build Your Own Rain Barrel video (YouTube) From Clemson University's "Carolina Clear"

If you have any questions regarding this newsletter or any other topic, join me for my radio show heard in Dallas/Fort Worth across the country on Sunday from 8 - 11am (CST). Radio

To learn more on living a Natural Organic lifestyle, go to DirtDoctor.com

Naturally yours,

Howard Garrett
The Dirt Doctor

Join the Organic Club of America.


Membership supports TORC.

Forward this newsletter to family and friends and ask them
to subscribe for Howard Garrett's Free E-Newsletter.
Dirt Doctor, Inc. P.O. Box 140650 Dallas, TX 75214
Copyright(c) 2021

If you no longer wish to receive Howard Garrett's Weekly Newsletter,
click reply and put Unsubscribe in the subject line.

  Search Library Topics      Search Newspaper Columns