By ALISON JOHNSON CORRESPONDENT MAR 02, 2019 AT 11:56 AM Source: Virginia Pilot
Source: Virginia Pilot Shidonna Raven Garden and Cook
Amy and Kevin Petersen
Amy and Kevin Petersen show off their rain barrel. (Courtesy of Virginia Beach Master Gardeners)1 / 3
Two years ago, Amy and Kevin Petersen built their own water storage system in less than an hour, for just $50.
At a Virginia Beach Master Gardeners workshop, the couple assembled a 55-gallon rain barrel that connects to their downspout, providing a year-round source of clean, untreated water for their vegetable garden and potted plants and herbs.
Captured rain adds up quickly: an inch of precipitation on a 1,000-square-foot roof, for example, generates about 600 gallons of water.
“Last summer, our barrel stayed full,” Amy Petersen said. “We wanted to do it for conversation purposes, since we live in the Elizabeth River watershed, but it is also very functional. It was really easy to put together and is a really good value.”
Easy ways to harvest rain Shidonna Raven Garden and Cook
On March 9, the Master Gardeners’ Water Stewards will begin offering monthly workshops for other Hampton Roads residents who want to add a rain barrel to their property. The hour-long sessions include all parts, easy-to-follow instructions and a diverter kit for at-home installation on existing downspouts.
The goal is to keep precipitation from running off into storm drains, which carries pollutants such as fertilizers, pet waste and trash into waterways.
Rain barrels also can save people money on water and sewer bills and help localities conserve for times of drought.
“In our area, everyone lives on the water,” says Nina Page, a Master Gardener and Water Steward. “We should all think of ourselves as owning waterfront property, and we all need to work together to protect it.”
The Virginia Beach Master Gardeners, a nonprofit, has offered the workshops since 2015, producing a total of nearly 400 rain barrels. Events are open to people of all ages, including children, and include a presentation on other effective water conversation methods.
Finished rain barrels are completely sealed, which keeps out mosquitoes, and have thick plastic drums to prevent freezing.
Unlike some barrels sold in stores, they don’t require homeowners to cut off their downspouts. They instead connect via a drilled hole, with a diverter to pass excess water through the downspout if the barrel is full, and are removable.
“You can easily hook up a hose to them, or have them on timers to water a garden,” Page notes.
Some people customize and decorate their barrels; Kevin and Amy Petersen painted theirs a terra cotta hue that blends naturally with their brick house. The chemical-free water has proven perfect for all their plants, from tomatoes and peppers in the garden to delicate indoor orchids.
“Our barrel is very well used,” Amy Petersen said. “I feel like that would be true for anyone, no matter what’s in their yard. I would definitely recommend them.”
want to go?
Rain barrel workshops will be held the second Saturday of each month, from March 9 to Oct. 12, at the Virginia Beach Farmers Market.
Each session runs from 9 to 10 a.m. and costs $50.
Registration is required at vbmg.org.
The Virginia Beach Master Gardeners Water Stewards also can set up custom workshops for groups that will build three or more barrels.
Call 757-385-8156 for details.
Alison Johnson, ajohnsondp@yahoo.com
What questions do you have regarding rain harvesting? Where do you live? What type of extreme weather have you experienced in your area?
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