Last year was one of the driest years my province has ever experienced. Where I live, in a rural area with lots of forest, it was a bit scary even: the feeling that we were just one spark, one bad decision, one lightning strike away from serious consequences. And my garden wasn’t very happy with the dry weather either.
Fire safety and water for the garden are two good reasons to invest in a rainwater collection system. In more urban areas, rain collection systems can help on the other end of moisture extremes too: preventing storm sewers from becoming overwhelmed in heavy rain events.
A rain collection system need not be complicated:
- You can buy rain barrels at many garden centers or hardware stores
- You can make your own, if you can find a local supply of barrels
- If you want to go the full monty, you can source a used 1000 litre tote
Then all you need are a few eavestrough parts – mainly elbows and screws – to redirect your downspout into your container. To make it handier still, you can install a tap in the bottom of a container so you can connect a garden hose. You can find the parts you need at hardware or plumbing stores (or just reach out and I’ll be pleased to send a list).
Last year’s drought prompted me to upgrade from barrels to totes. There’s rain in the forecast here, so hopefully everything will be nice and full soon, and ready for come what may!