ShareHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
The surface of the Earth is covered with 70 percent water, but of that only 2.5 percent is fresh water. Much of this fresh water is tied up in ice caps, glaciers and evaporation. That leaves only .3 of 1 percent of the fresh water on Earth in lakes, rivers and streams. Water is a precious resource as any gardener who has suffered under local watering restrictions can testify.
Harvesting rainwater and storing it to release in the future is the best thing you can do for your garden and the environment. It allows water to be absorbed into the ground slowly, therefore returning it to the environment rather than sending it to a storm sewer. Collecting rainwater reduces our demand on the local water system, decreases erosion and storm water runoff possibly containing pesticides, fertilizers and sediment that can contaminate surface water. Rainwater is healthier for plants than tap water because it is oxygenated and does not contain chlorine. It is also free of harmful salts and minerals that can build up in the soil over time and damage plants. Rain barrels are an excellent way to efficiently utilize this valuable resource. Rain is one of the cleanest sources of water available. Rainwater can be collected from rooftops by using gutters with a downspout diverted into the barrel or from a rain chain hanging over the barrel. Any overflow can be safely diverted away from the foundation of the structure or even better, multiple barrels can be linked together with a hose to increase the amount of water collected and stored for future use. Rainwater can be delivered wherever it is needed by using a garden hose, soaker hose (with the pressure reducing washer removed) or drip irrigation system attached to the faucet at the bottom of the barrel. Rain barrels should be placed on solid level ground with access to a downspout or under a rain chain. Raising the rain barrel a few inches with bricks or landscape stones will increase water pressure and make the faucet easier to reach. It is possible to collect .6-gallon per square foot of roof for every inch of rain. That is possibly 623 gallons of water harvested to use for your landscape if you have a one thousand square foot roof. Important safety tips for rain barrel use include never allow children or pets to play in or near rain barrels and keep them covered or screened tightly to prevent accidents and mosquito breeding. Collected rainwater is not for human consumption without the proper filtration and do not collect water off of a roof with asbestos shingles because of the long-term health threat if ingested or inhaled. Avoid tipping or trying to turn over a rain barrel that is full, they can be very heavy.For more on information on this or any gardening subject contact the Johnson County Master Gardener Association at www.jcmga.org or Pat Kriener 817-793-4625.
@Nyx.CommentBody@