Rainy Days and Mondays...

My homemade rain barrel. I just finished it and set it up today. The idea is to fill this with rainwater that I can use in my garden. Supposedly, it will fill up within an hour of a good rain. I'm not so much "green" as I am frugal, which in many ways is the same thing. So, the idea of getting free water really excites me... I know, it doesn't take much.

Last fall, I mentioned to a friend in passing that I wanted to make a rain barrel. A generous church member heard my comments and brought me a barrel. The barrel was in rough but not bad shape. A little scrubbing, a little paint and it was ready to be fitted with plumbing.

I watched a few "how-to" videos on the internet to figure out what I needed in order to turn this barrel into a rain catcher/dispenser. First trip to Home Depot had my head spinning. No, I didn't bring a list and no, I had no clue what I was forgetting... but I knew I was forgetting something. Second trip to Home Depot (and the same salesman) was a better success... had my list! Third trip to Home Depot (dodged the salesman) was only for the correct sized bit for the drill.

Assembling the parts was pretty painless. Although I did ask my dear husband to drill the holes. I'm not much with powertools, I am ashamed to admit. I fitted the faucet, the overflow tube, and put screening over the "water in" holes to keep out egg laying mosquitos.

After the barrel was assembled, I adjusted the drainpipe to direct the downflow over the top of the holes. I've used an old hose in the overflow hole to take excess water out to my garden. I feel so accomplished!

Now, bring on the rain.