ALABAMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SYSTEM
LIMESTONE COUNTY OFFICE
The Home & Garden Spot
Rainwater Harvesting and Build Your Own Rain Barrel Workshop
We are blessed to live in the state of Alabama for the abundance of natural resources. Alabama is one of the most diverse states in the country in regards to biological diversity. Whether it is plants or animals, Alabama ranks fifth in terms of overall species diversity. We are also blessed with immense water resources, including tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams. In addition to the lakes and streams, Alabama is also blessed with a great deal of rainfall. Alabama receives between 50”–60” of rain annually. This is a lot of rain
Unfortunately we don’t always get the rain when we need it. For the last two years it seems like farmers and home gardens have struggled with getting the garden planted on time due to rain. On the other hand, many gardens and farms have suffered during drought conditions we have experienced in the past.
For homeowners there is a solution to drought conditions: Rainwater Harvesting! The idea behind rainwater harvesting is to collect the water when we are getting rain to use when we are not getting the rain.
Why collect rainwater?
The answer is not an economic response. As important of a resource as water is, it is cheap. You won’t notice much of a cost savings by collecting rainwater. There are a few very good reasons to collect rainwater.
1. Rainwater is free of salts
and other minerals that can damage plant roots.
2. It is about being environmentally conscious; collecting rainwater helps to alleviate the strain on the municipal water supply.
3. During drought conditions when rain is scarce, municipalities can restrict water usage. If you’ve collected rainwater guess what? Your garden and landscape can continue to grow without suffering because of the drought.
So how do you collect rainwater? All you need to collect rainwater is a container. It can be as high
tech as you want it. You can install a cistern with a pump, or you can stick a bucket under the gutter. You need a container and a way to get the water out. Most people who harvest rainwater use rain barrels.
A rain barrel is usually a 55-gallon drum with a water spigot in the bottom.
You can purchase commercial rain barrels from many different stores. You can also build your own rain barrel very easily. Again, the container does not matter, but if the opening doesn’t allow you to get the water out of it with ease, you will want to install a spigot.
The Limestone County Extension office is offering a build your own rain barrel workshop August 21, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.at the Athens office located at 1109 West Market Street in Athens. There is a $40.00/barrel fee for the workshop.
If you are interested, please call the Limestone County Extension office at 256-232-5510 to pre-register. Please specify how many barrels you would like.
Registration is needed before August 20 and you may pay for your barrel at the workshop.
For more information on topics related to the Home and Garden, contact any office of theAlabama Cooperative Extension System. The Limestone County office is located at 1109 West Market Street in Athens and is open 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone number is 256-232-5510 and website is
www.aces.edu
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Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the US Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University and Alabama A&M University, offers educational programs and materials, and
equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
Cayce Lee
