i.d.o.

Looking Forward to Spring!

Posted on 3/5/2010, at 02:17 PM
  • Madison_1
  • Claypot
  • Oak_recycled_plastic_barrel
  • Standard_rain_barrel

by: Melanie Wilhelm

Every year as the winter season comes to an end and the buds of spring begin, I get excited with anticipation for planting season. I can hardly wait to visit my favorite greenhouses, seeking plants to use in my containers and landscape.
Weeks before the plants start to show up on the racks, I start thinking about colors, textures, shapes and heights of plants, how to arrange them and where to put them around the house.
Once I’ve made all of my purchases, I set up a planting bench and get to work. I get everything planted in a certain arrangement within the container, fill with soil, and then water well before setting or hanging the containers around the house.
But then, the blasting heat of the summer gets here. When it is really hot, I have to water the plants every day in order to keep them alive and healthy. I can use a lot of water in one summer just watering the plants (not to mention watering our newly planted grass). As many of us who pay a city water bill know “Water isn’t free”!
Or could it be free?
Last year, one rainy day as I was looking out the window, I observed all of the water gushing out of our five down spouts. “Wait a minute.” I said aloud to myself, “How can I capture that water so I can use it to water my plants?” So I started doing some research and found that I was not the only one wondering this same thing.
I found a plethora of rain barrels for sale on line. There are many different companies selling various sizes, shapes and colors of containers that can capture your rainwater from your home’s down spouts. I thought I would share a few with you just in case you might be interested in saving some money and capturing the free water that nature already gives us: Rain.

Home Depot
Lowe’s
Rain Barrel Source
Rain Barrels and More
Aaron’s Rain Barrels and More
Video Example of Installation

Tags: Sustainable Practices

Comments on “Looking Forward to Spring!”

Lee said on May 04, 2010

Rainbarrels really are a great idea! When I was a senior in college, I took a class about water resources as part of my Honors College requirement. It was actually one of my favorite classes in school—very interesting. As part of the class, we did projects in the community, and my group worked with an after-school center for underprivileged kids. Once a week we went to the center and taught the kids how to be more responsible with water use. We were able to get two rain barrels donated and on our last visit, we painted the rain barrels with the kids. It was a lot of fun!

Julie said on April 16, 2010

I, too, love the idea of using something that Mother Nature has given us for free. Our ancestors already knew this. Once again, we can learn from the older times as long as we resign ourselves that in looking forward, we don’t forget the past! Sometimes this is our best teacher.

Nancy Wright said on April 15, 2010

I know GreenWay Supply downtown also has a nice selection of Rain Barrels. We gave away one at the Indiana Building Green Symposium this year! Great idea for summer 2010!!

Drew Randle said on March 16, 2010

If you live in an older home, it’s wise to check for an underground cistern. My home was built in the 1910’s and I have one in my back yard. What a benefit to have ~500 gallons at my disposal! It has already been installed (saving me thousands of dollars), and it’s free water because my home’s guttering always keeps it full. Sustainability is such a historically enduring notion. Like the song says, “its all just a little bit of history repeating!”

Amanda said on March 11, 2010

I have been thinking about this for my home also. I just haven’t gotten past the initial investment of purchasing one, they can be rather expensive! I will have to do some price comparisons…let me know if you find a good deal!

Janet said on March 09, 2010

Neat idea. I learned by accident that a garbage can left out in a downpour turns into a rain barrel by default. Not as pretty but functional for those remote beds – and the can gets a good cleaning. If you plan not to use the collected water right away, think about a cover to keep mosquitos at bay.

I applaud your enthusiastic and energetic approach!

Leave a comment