I am so excited that Craig and I got our first rain barrel in last night just in time for the rain. I was surprised to see how fast it was to install. This is one of the largest rain barrels around. We are going to start with 5 rain barrels- 1 for each down spout. However, there was only a smattering of rain last night and when I checked this morning, it was 1/2 full! My advice to everyone considering a rain barrel is to get the largest one that you can find and also get one with a wide overflow ( see the hose on the left side of the barrel). 1 inch of rain can give 600 gallons of water off of an average roof size! If we had had a substantial rainfall, the regular overflow would not have been able to handle the runoff once the barrel was full and it would have overflowed out the top of the barrel. Having said that, if I were to connect several rain barrels, then only the one on the end of the line would require a large overflow. We have directed the overflow hose away from our house and to our flower garden. Somehow I feel that my rain barrels are going to multiply once I see how much rain I can harvest! Not only does it save $$$, & the environment but my garden will do much better with rain water than tap water coming from a garden hose. I will keep posting on my rain barrel experience!
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Do you sell the rain barrels, or can you recommend someone?
Yes, we sell the one with the wide overflow ( pictured in the photo ) and the one with the regular overflow. Their size runs from @ 55 gallons to 65 gallons. We also sell a 75 gallon rain barrel that is made with recycled plastic. We are considering selling rain barrels made from whiskey barrels but we are researching how they hold up during our harsh winters. If anyone has experience with a wooden rain barrel. Please post your results.
Any updates on your rain barrels? WE have 1 and were considering another. Any mosquitoes? Are you using the water? Thanks!
We currently have 5 rain barrels on our house and are going to add a sixth. We are to add 2 on the back of the garage near our vegetable garden. All of our rain barrels are full! I continually use them to water all of my whiskey barrels and containers. I also have washed off my garden tools with rain water and and used it for various task. We arranged our overflow hose so that it flows near our plants under the overhang of our house where rain water never seems to reach. It is not causing any flooding near our house and the plants are doing much better. I have not noticed any mosquito larva- yet. However, I do have mosquito dunks at the shop in the event that they take up residence.
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