Why do lawn and gardens become greener when it rains but not when watered with sprinklers connected to tap water?  Tap water contains chlorine and fluoride, which can cause tips of plant leaves to turn brown over time. Rainwater, however, does not contain chlorine and fluoride, but does contain more oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen which plants need.  All of the rain that has fallen this past week is helping revive our plants and our landscape, but what can be done when it doesn’t rain?  Capturing rain in a rain barrel is one option.

Capturing rain water has benefits for homeowners and the environment.  First, it saves money by reducing water bills.  It also reduces demand on municipal water supplies and uses a valuable natural resource efficiently.  If the amount of water harvested equals the amount needed to irrigate your landscape during a year, then the consumer will see significant savings in their water bill over time.  The website http://rainwaterharvesting.tamu.edu has more information about how to calculate the amount of water from roof catchment and the size of barrels needed for storage.

Rainwater barrels come in all sizes from the small backyard garden barrel to large intricate systems that provide water for an entire household.  All rainwater barrels, however, have some type of filter that screens out debris and prevents mosquito larva from entering the system.  Placement of the barrel is important too.  It needs to be placed at the corner of a building that has a gutter system so that the rain can be funneled into the barrel.  This will also prevent erosion around the roofline of the building.

Use of the water from a rain barrel depends on its size.  Smaller ones designed for vegetable gardens normally have a nozzle that can be attached to a water hose or drip irrigation.  Water pressure, however, depends on the size and elevation of your rain barrel.  For more detailed information about rain barrels, come to the Rainwater Harvesting Barrel Making Class at the Master Gardener Test Garden at the Jack Brooks Regional Airport on September 24.  Call 409-835-8461 by September 14 to reserve your place.  The cost is $30, which includes the materials to make your own small rain barrel.

For more information, contact Jefferson County Certified Master Gardener, Melissa Starr, at melynstarr@hotmail.com or call Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service at 409-835-8461