Ever notice how your flowers and vegetables seem to do so much better after it rains? Even if you have been watering them regularly from your municipal water system, they do far better with natural rainwater. For human health, our municipal water systems are required to treat water with chemicals, however this is not the best water for your plants. Perfect for both indoor and outdoor plants, untreated natural rainwater can be of great benefit to your plants. Unfortunately, it doesn't always rain when we need or want it. Having rain barrels catching your rainwater helps solve this problem and provides other benefits as well. There is a caution however when planning on storing water outside.
When adding water to compost for moisture control, treated municipal water should be avoided. Natural rain water will provide the best results while chemically treated water will retard composting.
An added benefit of having rain barrels catching water from your downspouts is to help divert water away from your foundation and from uncontrolled dumping into your yard. Many homes with downspouts in certain metro areas are now (or soon will be) required to disconnect from the sewer and storm drain systems to splash blocks by order of the municipal bureau of environmental services. As in most urban areas, this will become a mandated environmental protection policy to help protect our rivers and streams. Rain barrels can also serve a multi-purpose function by helping conserve water and reducing water bills.
The Urban Rain Barrel (URB) is a 55-57 gallon food grade black recycled plastic barrel. Since recycled commodity barrels are used as they become available, color and exact dimensions may vary some. It has a 1.25" overflow tube which allows you to re-direct the overflow water into your flower beds, garden, splash-block or into a dry well. A brass spigot at the base is ideal for either connecting a watering hose or irrigation system. With the "linking kit," two or more barrels can be connected in series to increase the storage capacity. The URB has a child and pet resistant cover on top.
To complement the URB, we have develop water diversion and irrigation kits packaged as the Spigot Irrigation Kit and Overflow Irrigation Kit. Basically, these systems are designed to disperse water over a wide area (like a soaker hose) rather than dumping into a splash block.
Spigot Irrigation Kit
This kit is designed to use the brass spigot located at the bottom of the URB. It is a 3/4" poly-hose 25' in length with a brass garden hose connection on one end and plug in the other end. This kit also includes a 1/16" drill bit for drilling holes in the poly-hose. It is recommended you drill the holes after you layout and stake down the poly-hose where you want it. This allows you to put the holes where your plants are and avoid areas you do not want wet. Depending on your circumstances, you may want to use a smaller or larger hole size. With a 1/16" hole drilled every five inches (total 60 holes), it will drain your barrel in approximately 20 minutes if your spigot valve is set wide open.
There are a several ways the URB with a Spigot Irrigation Kit can be used. For example, you can simply run a garden hose from your URB's spigot valve to where you have laid out the poly-hose. Leave the valve turned to a 1/4 to 3/4 open position and disperse the rainwater. In this case the URB just acts as a buffer to temporarily store the water until it can drain out evenly over a 25' area.
Another use would be to not leave the spigot value open and use the URB more for water storage. You could add a "T" value to the spigot so one outlet can connect to a hose for hand watering and the other connect to a hose going to the Spigot Irrigation Kit hose. You would then manually regulate where and when you want the water used.
Overflow Irrigation Kit
This kit is designed to be connected to the 1.25" hose coming from the overflow outlet on the side of the URB (water enters this outlet only when the barrel is full). This kit comes with a single 50' length of 3/4" poly-hose, a "T" connector for connecting to the 1.25" six foot overflow hose that comes with the URB, two 1.25" to 3/4" reducers, stainless steel clamps for all connection, and a 1/16" drill bit.
The most idea installation for water diversion is to cut the hose into two 25' lengths attaching each of the sections to the "T" connector. However, as yard layouts vary, it may be necessary to cut these two sections into lengths more appropriate for your yard. For example, a 15' and a 35' may work better. In some cases you may even want to use a single 50' length by removing the "T" connector and inserting a reducer directly into the 1.25" overflow hose. This kit also includes a 1/16" drill bit for drilling holes in the poly-hose. It is recommended you drill the holes after you layout and stake down the poly-hose sections where you want them. This allows you to put the holes where your plants are and avoid areas you do not want wet. Depending on your circumstances, you may want to vary the size of the holes. Having 1/16" holes drilled every five inches or so will usually keep up with even a heavy rainstorm. This varies greatly depending on your roof surface that leads to your downspout.
Note that this kit connects to the six-foot overflow hose that comes with the URB. If six feet is not long enough, you will need to purchase addition 1.25" hose as needed. A number of local home/building supply retailers carry this hose.
Special Note For Cold Climates
The URB and all connecting hoses must be drained during freezing weather to avoid damage. In many cases leaving the spigot at the bottom of the barrel open to prevent water from remaining in the barrel should work. In climates with very hard freezes, we recommend draining, removing, and storing the barrel with hoses in a protected area.
Warranty
Urban Garden Center warrants the Urban Rain Barrel for five (5) years to the original owner covering materials and workmanship. Damage resulting from improper use or care are not covered. It is important to read and follow the product information contained in this document and the instructions that come with the unit.