Collecting Rainwater

We first started collecting rainwater in gallon jugs, and used sparingly, after reading how beneficial it is to use over tap water, even for indoor plants. A few years after that we we’re given some big plastic drums, and that’s what we’ve used ever since. Although most of the time you will be watering by hand, unless you upgrade your rain barrels to a self watering system, it’s worth every drop. Rain water is far less harmful than tap water, that is chock full of chemicals and pharmaceutical waste. Chlorine alone will completely deplete the plant and it’s soil of nutrients and any natural minerals.

Another benefit is that you will save plenty of money not watering your garden through the hose. Collecting rain water could also help with storm water drainage and runoff, especially if it is damaging on your property, or surrounding properties, as well as creeks and streams where it all ends up.

Many people actually choose to drink rain water. It’s free of chemicals and can add many healthy factors to your diet, and the strength of your body. Be sure you do a lot of research first, as always, and your source must be absolutely clean and filtered properly. Keep an eye out on the internet for locals giving away barrels for free, and be patient, you will find one eventually. You should definitely opt for rain water in all the pollination watering stations in the yard as well!

We’ve had goldfish in the rain barrel before, they’re good at keeping the mosquito larvae to a minimum. The best way to avoid that all together is to have a lid. There are also many aquaponic set ups that use fish and rainwater together to grow food. I personally enjoy watering by hand, it gives me a close relationship with my garden and plants, and I’ve learned to appreciate every single drop of water.