Rain barrels

[BarkerB]

I've heard both good and bad things about using rain water to water your gardens and flowers. Do you collect rain and use it? My parents did this and I remember the number of dead bugs on the top of the barrel.

 

[MichaelS]

We have a couple and my wife waters the flowers with the water. Standing water will attract bugs. I don't use it to water our garden but that's just because we don't get enough water in the barrels.

 

[Farmallh]

We use these for watering all the flower beds too. We don't water the garden with it, but I would if there was enough water. I don't think there is a problem using the water. Our flowers thrive so I'm sure the water isn't hurting them.

 

[Locksmith]

No-Flow soaker hoses are good for this.

And for the bugs, you can just put a lid on the barrel during the dry days or fashion a screen for the top.