Roll Out the Barrel

April showers traditionally bring May flowers, but they can also bring vegetables, fruit and other plants, too!  You’d be amazed at the amount of free water that falls from the sky and rolls off your roof every year. By collecting this run-off and saving it for a not so rainy day, you’ll be able to use it to nurture planting projects and replenish birdbaths and ponds without depleting water resources. Just follow these simple instructions for building a rain barrel in your own backyard!

• Cut a large hole in the lid of a 250-litre barrel. You can build your own rain barrel by using a plastic or wooden container; both are available from food importers or hardware stores.
• Install a plastic screen over the hole to prevent debris from getting inside and mosquitoes from breeding.
• Drill a 3/4" hole into the side of the barrel near the base for a spout.
• Install spout hardware: wrap the threading of a faucet with Teflon tape to ensure a good seal; attach the faucet to a galvanized coupling; then push a galvanized bushing through the hole (from the inside of the barrel) and attach the faucet; apply a ring of silicone sealant where the coupling meets the barrel wall to prevent leakage.
• Channel a downspout from your roof into the barrel.
• If the ground isn’t paved, set the barrel on a base of patio stones.
• Attach a hose to the faucet as required.
• Check your rain barrel periodically to ensure that it is working properly.

For more great gardening tips visit CWF’s WildAboutGardening.org! Already gardening for wildlife? Apply to certify your garden as wildlife-friendly.