Wetfoot
Well-Known Member
SWMBO and I are trying to decide if we should bother with a rain barrel. We have a few landscaping plants around the house, a few specimen trees (including the all important sour cherry tree that I make wine from), and four raised beds (4 footers) with veggies/herbs. We are in Kentucky. Our water bill is based on 1000 gallon increments, and most of that goes towards sewer, not actual water use.
If we install a rain barrel, that will involve an olive barrel plus fittings and some sort of stand with gutter connection. I have read that one should not use water from your roof on edible plants (bird poo contamination). Also, if we manage to collect 55 gallons of water, and use it, what's the advantage over using municipal water? Is there a cost savings? Will it be worth the hassle of installing, cleaning, and schlepping the water?
Thanks for any insights!
If we install a rain barrel, that will involve an olive barrel plus fittings and some sort of stand with gutter connection. I have read that one should not use water from your roof on edible plants (bird poo contamination). Also, if we manage to collect 55 gallons of water, and use it, what's the advantage over using municipal water? Is there a cost savings? Will it be worth the hassle of installing, cleaning, and schlepping the water?
Thanks for any insights!