Day 4 of Spring Garden Show 2018: Save Rainwater Via Barrels

Sunday, 4.29.18

I missed the tomato seminar because I was checking out the kids’ seminars. So, I went to the 2 pm seminar, which was about conserving water by harvesting rainwater. I entered the Begonia Seminar Room to notice huge barrels. The woman talked about using recycled barrels for collecting rainwater. These barrels were originally used to bring in food, such as green olives and pickles, as cargo. But they are only used once. After they are emptied, they are taken to dumpsters. She decided to save them from junkyard places to give them a second life.

1. Terracotta Barrels used to carry green olives.
2. Black Barrels used to carry pickles.
3. Blue Barrels used to carry cherries.
4. White Barrels used to carry Syrup.

Since Southern California, especially in Irvine, has too many ants, the Terracotta and Black Barrels are mostly used in Orange County locations. (The UC Irvine mascot is Anteaters probably because the UC Irvine campus, as well as many homes around it, was built on top of an anthill).

Rainwater Harvesting involves collecting rainwater from room, storing the rainwater, and the using the rainwater when needed.

Place a large barrel on 2 cylinder blocks, not more.

Washing your hair with rainwater makes your hair very silky and soft.

But don’t drink rainwater because it can give you diarrhea, due to harmful bacteria.

Rainwater is great for watering plants, preventing runoffs, not using the storm drain systems, and conserving vital natural resources. Other uses for rainwater include toilet flushing, window cleaning, sidewalk and driveway cleaning, washing your car, and washing your dog’s feet. You can also refill fountains and birdbath with rainwater, as well as use rainwater as emergency water after earthquakes and natural disasters.

A typical large barrel is 39 inches tall and 23 inches in diameter. It has a brass spigot, a very small and tight mesh screen top to prevent mosquitos from entering and contaminating the water, and side brass overflow with cap. One barrel holes 58 gallons of rainwater. She is selling barrels for $65 each. They are made from reused Food Grade barrels that would otherwise be sent to landfills. So, I would recommend that people check landfills first because you could probably get it either cheaper or maybe even free.

For more information about rainwater usage, check out Rain Barrels Intl.