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Harvesting Rainwater
| |Labels: gutters, lawn, rain, rain barrel, water
Here in the Sacramento area, we really only get rain from October or November through about May and when it does rain, it seems like we only get an inch or so at a time. However, in my yard it seems like it takes only a bit of rain to make a huge mess since the house gutters drop right into the lowest part of my yard making a winter long muddy bog. I'd love to get rid of the lawn altogether, but Dennis and I haven't agreed on that yet. So what to do to not only save the "free" water that hits my roof in a storm and try to save the lawn from its annual winter drowning?? Rain barrels! Rain barrels are large containers that sit underneath your gutters to collect rainwater. They have a spigot at the bottom of the container to attach a hose and water whatever you want from rainwater collected from your roof.
Considering that one inch of rain on a 1,000 square foot area yields 623 gallons of water, I'm sending a whole lot of water right down the drain every winter! I've looked at buying rain barrels, but they can run around $200 - ack! However, this morning I think I found the solution while browsing the Fine Gardening website - a video on how to build my own rain barrel for about $50 - perfect! I know they aren't that pretty, but since we don't get rain year-round, I can move them to a less obnoxious location during the summer when we spend so much more time outside.
Here's the video if you're interested in doing the same:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid4130888001?bctid=1906795648
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1 comments:
Lathwell:
You may also be interested to know that some counties and cities offer rain barrels at a discount prices well under $100.00. Have you checked with fruit/drink/wine companies around your area for food grade barrels they aren't using? (Let your fingers do the walking,lol)
Another thought for you. Don't forget the importance of keeping your rain gutters clean. "The rainwater you harvest is only as clean as your gutters."
I hated cleaning my gutters, and at age 70, finally told my husband he had to come up with a design for a new "mousetrap" for me to clean gutters while standing on the ground. I gave him what I wanted and he went to work on a design. (I'm, to shaky to climb and move the heavy ladders & equipment around the entire house to clean gutters)
Several months later, (and, hundreds of dollars later for patent attorneys, patent fees, manufacturing costs) my "mousetrap" has become reality!
I invite you and your friends to visit me at www.GutterClutterBuster.com (I'm the one in the pink sweater) and see for yourself how the Gutter Clutter Buster will vacuum out all debris, wet or dry, from your gutters while you stay firmly on the ground. And, it saves you money in two ways: 1)Provides easier, safer, faster, and cleaner way to get a nasty dirty job done; and, 2) Keeps gutters cleaner so clogs won't form to slow down or stop your rainwater from making it to your rain barrel.
Clogged gutters can cause damage to your roof, facia, and overflowing water can damage your foundation, your lawn, plants, flowers, lawn furniture or whatever it hits when it pours off the roof. More clean water flowing into your barrels for multiple uses can save money.
So, please Stay Safe, Stay Well, and "Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled." And, God Bless America!
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