Down the Water Spout
This post was written earlier and scheduled to post today. I am in Costa Rica and will not have regular access to the internet. Please, DO leave comments but understand that I will not be able to respond to them immediately. Also, feel free to extend your condolences to Douglas, Kahlua and Crème, who have been left behind to guard the fort while I am away.
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I have wanted a rain barrel for a while now. Douglas received an Amazon gift card for Christmas, and we decided to use it to buy one. Amazon has a lot of rain barrels 
Without water it was easy to carry into place. I say that as the person who did no carrying.
There is a spout at the bottom of the rain barrel. In order to be able to fit a watering can under the spout, we needed to raise the barrel. We decided to use this large rock that we dug up when we removed the monster bush from our yard.
The rock was difficult to move but was the perfect height once in place.
The diverter was more difficult to install than we expected, but Douglas was able to get it. Originally, he was hoping not to have to cut the downspout because there was a joint near where the diverter would go. Alas, it was too low, but the drain was easy to cut.
He then had to crimp the end of the newly-cut drainpipe so that it would fit in the next piece. He used needle-nosed pliers.
Finally, the diverter was fully installed.
The barrel filled up on the first rain. Now I can quickly fill the watering can to water my plants.
We are thrilled to have the rain barrel. It is a good way to conserve water, and our plants are happier that we are watering them more frequently. We do have two decisions to make. First of all, I am trying to decide what to put in the planter on top of the barrel. It is in a shady location and does not have great drainage, so it will need to be a plant that is hardy. I am thinking of putting in some vinca. Imagine this….
…inside of this.
The other decision is whether or not to buy a second barrel since we like this one so much. I have a feeling that we probably will, but I do not know how soon it will happen.
Happy Homemaking!
I am a teacher, traveler, artist, writer, homemaker and a whole lot more. In January 2009, I bought the Cape of Dreams. It was the second house that I had ever owned, but it was the first that I bought by myself. I now live in the house with my husband Douglas, our dog Kahlua, and Crème de Menthe, the cat. Because, what life is complete without a little Kahlua and Cream? I love arts and crafts of all kinds, and I refinish furniture as well. We are slowly redoing our entire house. You can read about my projects on my blog www.CapeofDreams.com
Great post and a good solution – why do practical things need to be ugly?! We also got a more attractive barrel……but in the UK we call them butts! http://1910housetohome.wordpress.com/2013/05/26/an-attractive-butt/
That is an ugly name four a rain barrel. It always fascinates me how language develops.
Oh this is wonderful! We have been talking for years about setting up something like this. My neighbor down the street has two of them. Hopefully when we get Richie’s backyard shed built we can collect the water off of it.
Awesome, Jessica. It makes you feel like you’re doing something good… for you… and your plants! Have fun on your trip!
It is funny thinking about saving water while I am here in Costa Rica. Here there is too much water if that is possible. It is really beautiful. I am sure a rain barrel would be useful in Texas though!