Show #5/1105. 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show

Try A Rain Barrel and Composting

In this example they use three barrels, ranging from a 55-gallon drum to a 30- gallon barrel, to capture rainwater. He attaches the barrels to the downspout of his roof with a wide hose he purchased for $4. When it rains, as it did the first of the year, the barrels fill up quickly. On dry days dip your watering can into the barrels and use the free water to tend your plants. Those three barrels will last at least two months if not 21/ 2 months. Use the water during the dry season -- June, July, August -- to cut down on the water bill. It's called rain harvesting, and people have done it throughout time.