Comments on: How to Install a Rainbarrel

By: rebecca

rebecca — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:11:38 +0000

I'm a graphic designer for Snohomish County local government. rebecca.lindahl@snoco.org and I'm wondering if I can have permission to use some of your pictures (rain barrel compost and food scraps) for a brochure I'm creating. Please let me know. thanks!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:08:15 +0000

Hi, I’m from the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and we are adding a page on our website about down spouts and rain barrels. I really liked the pictures you used on your article on this subject. We would be very grateful if you would grant us permission to use your pictures and captions on our government site as a guide to how to install a rain barrel. You would of course get credit for your pictures. Please e-mail me at kenigr01@montgomerycountymd.gov. Thank you so much.

~Rachel

By: Nina Gerulski

Nina Gerulski — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:26:24 +0000

read in a few places that the water collected from a downspout should not be used in a vegetable garden due to contamination from animals on the roof. myth or fact?

By: Rob

Rob — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 00:35:05 +0000

Another consideration is debris from your downspouts.
You want to be able to remove unwanted leaves, twigs, pine needles, etc that may flow down the spout. A screen on the barrel will enable you to do this without restricting the flow of water through the downspout. As well, the screen prevents mosquitoes from entering your barrel. Too many barrels in retail stores have loose screens on them that can be removed too easily. Do your homework before purchasing your barrels.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:48:27 +0000

This will be 2nd try at gardening. The first was 32 years ago. For many years we’ve been talking with a friend about putting a garden at his place. The one drawback has been a water issue. They have a cistern and not wanting to use their water for the garden we didn’t know what else to do. This will work perfectly for us. I just have to find them in my area.

By: 12 Easy Ways To Go Green (And Save Cash) » TipNut.com

12 Easy Ways To Go Green (And Save Cash) » TipNut.com — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:31:04 +0000

[...] Rain Water: Take advantage of free rain water for your garden & lawn needs, see How to Install a Rainbarrel, How to Harvest Rainwater, Build a Rain Garden and Rain Barrel [...]

By: Chad

Chad — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:10:07 +0000

Hey everyone, Chad from envirosponsible here. Soaker hoses work perfectly with a rain barrel, as long as the tap is a few inches higher than the hose.

Using a soaker hose will save you time since you don’t have to fill can after can. Simply place the soaker hose where you want to water, open the rain barrel tap, and finish by closing the tap.

Rain barrels fill quickly, and one good rain storm will fill 3-6 barrels connected together onto one downspout easily.

A good way to insure your setup won’t flood your foundation, other than a multiple barrel system, is to attach a downspout diverter kit. That way, when the barrel’s full, the water is diverted back down the downspout. It’s also great for leaving your rain barrel connect when you’re away or traveling.

Please visit our site for more information including videos. http://www.envirosponsible.com

By: Randy

Randy — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:41:11 +0000

I wanted to use my rain barrels but I wasn’t sure if they would work with a soaker hose. Any experience with that?

By: Christy

Christy — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:34:35 +0000

Great idea! I live in the Atlanta area where there has been a serious lack of rain for a few years. You have inspired me.

By: Sally (Scarborough)

Sally (Scarborough) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 14:00:39 +0000

I have two rain barrels and they are fabulous and the water is so much better for the plants…ours has the a split pipe – and a lever so I can control the direction of water (I switch it to the main downspout just before freezing weather otherwise the barrels can split and I leave the tap open to drain all water out…BUT with your garden you will find during the summer, they are NEVER full! you will always be using them for vegetables, containers/pots etc etc. Our downspout doesn’t go all the way to the opening because we have a little screen “plug” that i can lift off and toss leaves aside (they can block the water flow sometimes)…enjoy the barrels and your garden and blog are lovely. Sally (Scarborough)