Monday, April 20, 2009

Saving Free Water for the Garden


Last time that I visited my Mom up in Jacksonville, Florida I made an interesting observation. She had several plastic dish pans set out to catch the rainwater. I ask her about the pans and she told me that there is nothing like rainwater to perk up your plants.

After returning back to Miramar the Sunday paper (Miami Herald) had an article about making a rain barrel.

Later while reading one of my gardening reference books (Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew) he suggested hand watering your plants with water warmed first by the sun.

If Mel and my Mom think it is that much of an advantage there has to be something to it. If my Mom who it seems can grow anything supports it. And if Mel a gardening legend says its so I have to start saving the rainwater for my plants instead of using the city water .

The city water is cold and has been treated with chemicals. Mel advises to set the water out in the sun and let it warm up naturally before giving it to your plants. The rain water is free , hasn't been treated with anything and is more better for the plants.

So this week I have been setting out two 5 gallon plastic buckets under the part of my back awning that cascades the most water during a rainstorm. This afternoon the rain I had been waiting for arrived and filled the buckets. I'm going to set the 5 gallon buckets in the sun to warm and now I have free water for next week for my new plantings. ...sanddune....
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NOTE: HOPE THIS IDEA WORKS FOR YOU. ALL COMMENTS, IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOMED. THANKS.
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