Rain barrels? Does anyone have experience with collecting rainwater?

Question

I am looking to add rain barrels to our house and garage by allowing some of our downspouts to empty into rain barrels. I would then like to add a hose spigot to the barrels. Does anyone have any suggestions or experience with this?

Answer 1

I've known rain barrels since I was a little one, visiting the farm, but the most interesting relevant experience happened later.

A friend of mine had a garage, which had telephone and power lines above it. A downspout fed a rhubarb plant at one corner of the garage.

That rhubarb plant was the biggest one I've ever seen, by far. The stalks were bigger around than my wrists.

Why? Manure, especially from birds, has lots of nitrogen, a plant nutrient which promotes growth.

You might find that water from a rainbarrel gives your plants an added boost!

Answer 2

I have a 50 gallon rain barrel that came with a hose attachment. The barrel will fill up in no time during a good rain.  I have found that when you don't need it, it is full and when you do need it, you use up the water really quickly.  This spring we have had a lot of rain so I haven't needed the rain water from the barrel.  If it sits there too long it starts to smell bad so you have to add a little bleach.  Also, I add some mosquito dunks just in case mosquitos decide to lay eggs in it.  I think it would be great to have a rain barrel at each downspout.  Also, the height and location of the barrel is important for getting the water to come out.  It won't flow up hill!

Answer 3

I have 2 barrels. My plants love rain water.  I have a gold fish in each to take care of any mosquito larva.... I use a portable pump.