Garden Buddy alerted me a while back that the City of Chicago was offering rain barrels to encourage water conservation and to help keep the sewers from getting clogged. This is a real problem in these parts - my basement flooded because of this the first weekend that we moved to this house. Anyway, GB is on vacation and today she picked one up for me and dropped it off in my backyard. GB - I love it when you are on vacation!
This is a horrible picture. I took it in the middle of a storm, at almost 8pm, with a flash, standing in the doorway so I wouldn't get wet. I could have waited for a better photo-op but I was so excited about it. Isn't this thing fabulous????? It seems way bigger than the ones I saw on the garden walk and it was only 40 bucks! The booklet that came with it suggested raising it on a platform and attaching soaker hoses to the spigot. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Torture deck = rain barrel platform?
Great rain barrel. With these dryer summers we are seriously thinking of getting one. It's great that the city is making them available. That torture deck is sort of weird sounding but I'll bet it would make a good platform.
ReplyDeletePost a picture when you get it all worked out. I'm curious to see how it looks and how it works.
I'd love to get one of those barrels. You're lucky the city was giving them away. :)
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a good spot for the barrel, but I would raise it up even more -- depending on how low the spigot is. Mine is up high but I could go higher just to get different types of watering cans underneath. And the soaker hose idea is also good because the water doesn't have the same kind of pressure as. Good luck with your new rain barrel (and we've had plenty of rain for it!)
ReplyDeletealyssa - I'll definately post a picture as soon as it has a home.
ReplyDeletegretchen - I am lucky! It wasnt free but 40 dollars is VERY AFFORDABLE for this thing. You might look out for one on craigslist. I've seen them from time to time on there.
rosemarie - thanks for the tip!
I just picked up the same from the city's program. I totally expected some wooden cask, the kind cartoon characters wear when they're broke. But I'm glad about the size. A soaker hose is a great idea!
ReplyDeletekk - thanks for stopping by! did you connect your rain barrel yet? mine is still sitting on my patio.
ReplyDelete