Do it Yourself - A Trash Can Rain BarrelIt's no secret that Texas summers can be brutal on a garden. Years like this one - where we have been experiencing prolonged heat and drought - can be particularly devastating to even the heartiest of plants. Most Texas gardens, even those designed for dry climates, do need some supplemental watering; and if you are growing vegetables and fruits, irrigation is a must.
There are many ways to conserve water when irrigating: be sure your soil is as healthy as possible, use drip lines at the roots, water before 10am or after 6 pm, and use mulch to prevent evaporation of moisture from the ground. These judicial uses of water can conserve both resources and your budget, but even so, tighter municipal restrictions and higher prices call for a little old-fashioned homeowner ingenuity. Utilizing the runoff from your own home by installing rain barrels under gutters is a perfect way to achieve substantial water savings each year.
If you are curious as to how much water you can collect during a storm, here is an easy formula. Calculate the square footage of the part of your home which is covered by roof (do not figure the total square footage of the roof itself, just the square footage of the areas actually covered). The formula is 1 Sq. Ft. = .623 gallons per inch of rain, which means a 1000 square foot home would provide 623 gallons of water with just one inch of rainfall. Most homes are larger than 1000 square feet, and the average spring rainfall for our area is about 12 inches. If you live in a 2000 square foot home, you could save and store almost 15,000 gallons of water between March and June! There are many commercially available rain barrels on the market - they can be found at local garden centers and farm supply stores, and the online selection is endless. Prices start at about $80.00 for a simple barrel that holds 32 - 40 gallons, and range upwards to nearly $300.00 for larger, more elaborate models. However, for just a few dollars (and in about 20 minutes), you can make your own rain barrel from a reclaimed rubber trash can!
Choose a trashcan without any cracks or leaks. Larger, square models are ideal because they can be placed flat against your home, but any can that holds at least 40 gallons will work just as well. You will need to gather the following materials before you begin:
- 3/4 inch tank fitting (this is a piece of pipe designed to go through large animal troughs or water tanks in order to install a faucet). You can find these at Tractor Supply Co. for $8.00
- 3/4 inch "bib" (plumbing language for 'faucet'), also at TSC for $6.00
- A hacksaw to cut your gutter to an appropriate length
- A utility knife to cut a hole in the lid of your trash can
- A drill with an 1 1/4 (1.25) inch spade bit (also called a paddle bit)
- A stand to place your finished barrel on so it sits up off of the ground is ideal but not necessary: this can be a few cinder blocks, a low stack of bricks, or even an elevated area of soil covered with some pebbles. A stand allows more clearance for your hose to be attached to the faucet, which means you can install the tank fitting and bib lower on your trash can. If you do not have a stand, place the tank fitting at least 4 - 6 inches from the bottom of the barrel.
- A scrap of window screening and a few small nuts and bolts to hold it in place (optional)
Assembly:
1) Place your can on its stand next to your downspout and mark the total height. You want to shorten your downspout so that the angled attachment at the bottom is moved up to where it now empties about 2 inches from the top of your trash can lid. After your gutter is adjusted to its final height, place your trash can (with lid in place) on its stand directly underneath it. If possible, place the lid on upside down so it functions as a funnel. If you have a hinged lid or a flat lid, that is ok, it will work as well.
2) Using a sharp utility knife, cut a 6-10 inch diameter hole in the lid both under and slightly away from the end of the downspout. When it rains hard, water tends to 'shoot' out of the gutter pretty fast, so having the hole cut large and in the right location will help you catch as much water as possible. You can use a garden hose to test this out before you cut.
3) Option: If you are concerned with debris or critters getting into your rain barrel, use a scrap of window screen to cover the hole in the lid. Hold it in place with a few nuts and bolts around the edges.
4) Install the tank fitting and bib about 1-2 inches from the bottom of the barrel (higher if you are not using a stand). First drill a hole using the 1 1/4 inch paddle bit, then fit the piping through the hole and bolt it in place inside. Screw the faucet onto the fitting on the outside of the trash can.
5) If you want, use your drill bit to cut an 'overflow' hole near the very top of the can so water can escape when your rain barrel is full. If you don't, water will simply spill out over the top. Placing pretty stones or gravel around the base of your can will help prevent a 'muddy spot' from forming. This is also an ideal location for growing some of the thirstier herbs and flowers like mint, iris, sedge or loosestrife. Advanced rain barrel users may want to try linking more than one or two cans together with a pipe near the top (but still beneath the overflow hole). Remember, each can will still need its own bib assembly because they will be emptied one at a time.
Congratulations! Your new rain barrel will save you money during our hot Texas summers, and is an important contribution to saving our natural resources.
