Rain Water Harvesting

As the temperature rises, so does the need for water in our gardens. We could debate if we are in a drought or just returning to a normal weather pattern, but the fact is we aren't getting as much water as we would like to have. Yes, this past winter was better than some, but one never knows what the next winter will bring and therefore one good winter tends to leave us with a sense of false security.

We can also discuss water saving methods over and over again, but I think most people know what they are and I also think that most people are actually using them and trying to conserve water. However, the question remains as to what to do in the garden to further reduce water usage? You have added compost to the soil, you have added mulch to retain moisture, you are using a drip irrigation system and have even planted some native plants. But what if you want to grow vegetables or other types of plants? These take water and lots of it. What if you just want to keep your plants alive that are already there?

That leaves one in a quandry. Does one give up gardening of all sorts? Should we let everything die? Should we not try to grow our own food? Should we not plant new trees or beautiful flowers. I hope not, because what kind of a world would we have without the beauty and tranquility of gardens?

The benefits of a garden are many. Housing developments with rocks for yards and no trees for miles around are not my idea of a great way to live. I for one, cannot even begin to imagine living without the benefits of cooling shade from the trees, the privacy that shrubs and bushes provide, the fragrance and color from all the different flowers, the delicious goodness from homegrown vegetables and fruits or the peace and tranquilty provided on a quiet afternoon in a garden.

And what about the wildlife? They too are receipents of the benefits of a green and healthy garden. A garden provides them with food, shelter and protection from the elements. What happens to the wildlife that inhabits our gardens if we had to just let everything die off?

So what is the solution? Is there even a solution at all? I think so. As the drought looms over us year after year, ready to eliminate our ability to maintain our gardens at any moment, we have got to plan ahead and find solutions to provide water for ourselves and our gardens. So what is the solution? Well, I personally think it is rain water harvesting and this is what I will be working towards at my home. When you think about the amount of water just running off our roofs and how it could provide a sustainable source of irrigation water during the summer, why not try to capture it?

One of the many obstacles to this is, of course, the cost. But luckily, there are many ways to do this and I think that it needs to be incorporated more and more into our overall water conservation plans. Yes we have to be good stewards and conserve as much as possible, but why not add rain water harvesting to our bag of tricks?

I have read lots of articles that recommend adding a rain barrel to your downspout to water your garden with, but since the average rain barrel can only hold about 50 to 75 gallons of water, this isn't going to sustain you throughout a long, hot and dry summer. Plus during a rain storm or when snow is melting, it won't be long until it is overflowing. Most people are going to need something larger.

The key is to add as many rain water storage tanks as possible or put in one of those large ones that hold several thousand gallons. If you are opposed to the look of that or don't have the room to put one, here is a nifty solution.

http://www.aquascapeinc.com/why_rainwater_harvesting

While this is pricer than using 55 gallon drums and creating a daisy chain, it is much more attractive and since it is underground, it obviously doesn't take up a lot of room in your yard. I never knew this option existed and for some, it could be the perfect answer. For those of us on smaller budgets, I recommend looking for used 55 gallon drums and you can connect them together with PVC pipe. This is a good way to start capturing rain water, even while on a small budget.

You can do a search on the internet as well and it will reveal many clever ways people across the country and the world are using to capture rain water. Ingenuity is very prevalent in some of these homemade systems and we can get a lot of inspiration and ideas from them.

The whole point is to start saving that rain water and snow in the winter. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all save rainwater and eliminate using our tap water for outside irrigation? Rainwater is so much better for plants and trees since it doesn't contain any chlorine or other chemcials. Think about it. Perhaps rainwater harvesting could be an important tool in our water conserving arsenol.