Collecting and using rainwater is a practical and eco-friendly way to support your garden and by setting up a simple rainwater collection system, you can help your plants thrive while conserving resources and reducing costs.
Why Collect Rainwater?
Rainwater is free from the chemical treatments used in mains tap water. While these chemicals, make tap water safe for drinking, are unnecessary for plants and can accumulate harmful salts in the soil. By using rainwater, you can provide your garden with cleaner, more suitable water while reducing your water bills, particularly during dry months when your garden needs more water.
Setting Up Your Collection System
The simplest way to collect rainwater is with water barrels. You can purchase these from local garden centers or online, and some local councils offer them to residents at a discounted price. Prices varying depending on design and capacity, or alternatively, you can create your own using large, clean containers such as IBCs. Just make sure they haven’t contained anything toxic in them.
Components of a Rainwater Collection System
- Catchment Surface: Your roof on your house, sheds or greenhouses will serve as the primary catchment area. During a 1-inch rainfall, a 90-square-foot section of roof can yield around 55 gallons of water.
- Gutters and Downspouts: These direct rainwater from the roof into your water barrels. Ensure they are kept clean and well-maintained to prevent debris from contaminating the collected water.
- Filter: A basket filter with a fine screen is essential to keep leaves, insects, and other debris out of your water storage.
- Water Barrels: Use barrels with removable lids for easy cleaning. A capacity of 55 gallons is a typical size, but multiple barrels can be linked to increase storage.
- Spigot: Install a spigot near the base of the barrel for easy access to the water. An additional spigot higher up can be useful for filling watering cans.
- Overflow Management: Use a hose or a piece of drainpipe to direct excess water away from the foundation of your home or into additional storage barrels.
Installation Tips
Place your water barrels on a firm, level surface to prevent tipping. Elevating the barrels on a stand will make it easier to fill watering cans. Always keep barrels covered to avoid accidents, contamination and to help stop mosquitoes breeding in them.
Using Collected Rainwater
Use collected rainwater to water established plants. It’s particularly beneficial for ericaceous plants, which prefer lower pH levels. Avoid using rainwater on seedlings due to the risk of fungal diseases and water them with mains water until they are more established.
Maintaining Health and Safety
Although rainwater is more healthier for your plants, it’s not always clean for humans and can carry some risks, such as Legionella. Here are some simple precautions:
- Keep Barrels in Shade: This keeps the water cooler and reduces bacterial growth.
- Regular Cleaning: Clean gutters and water barrels to remove organic material that can promote bacterial growth.
- Hand Hygiene: Always wash hands after handling stored water to avoid infection.
- Frequent Use: Use the stored water frequently and replenish it with fresh rainwater to keep it clean.
- Wash your produce: If you are growing vegetables, ensure you wash them before eating.