We’ve had some lovely light rain this fall. Our large water storage tank (1600 gallons) collects rain from the rooftop of the garage and is about half full. The pot that collects rain from the garden shed has been filled and emptied several times over the last month. I use the water from this pretty pot to water indoor plants.
I water indoor plants about once a week. Some of these are sensitive to the salts in tap water. If you see a Spathephyllum (Peace Lily) with brown leaf tips, it is most likely due to being watered with tap water. Setting up a simple system of gathering rain water can be done in a weekend.
To gather rainwater from a gutter that edges your roof, simply remove the spout and attach a chain or rope to direct the water downward into a can or pot. You don’t have to be fancy. If the location of your downspout isn’t too obvious, any kind of chain or rope will work and a plastic can will hold the water. I wanted something a little more decorative since my garden shed is an integral part of my garden. I got a rough-glazed pot at Old Town Nursery in Nipomo, about an hour south of Cambria. I love that nursery! I ordered the rain chain online. You can get rain chains of all styles and materials. Copper develops a nice patina over time and fits well in garden designs. The rain chain comes with a wire that fits up into the downspout and secures it there.
Rain is really valued here on the Central Coast. There is noting quite so pleasant as to be surprised with a pot full of rainwater after a couple of hours of light rain. It’s like, “Merry Christmas to me”!
Love your garden with the rain chain!
How do you get the water out of that pot? Are there any concerns such as flies with an open container?
Hi. Glad you like my rain collecting container and rain chain. I get the water it collects by dipping my watering can in and hand watering my indoor plants with it. They love it! About once a year, I put the can on its side and squirt it out with the hose. We’ve never had trouble with mosquito larvae in it but we live in a rather dry area, in fact, we have drought conditions here now so water does not sit in the barrel very long. I like to keep the barrel empty so that it will collect rain should we be fortunate enough to get any.
Hi
I love it! It looks so pretty. About the pot…what do you do about the bottom drainage hole. Most outdoor pots have it. Thank you!
The location that i want to put my brl gets a “heavy flow” of rain. Do you think the rIn chime will hold up to the demand?
Buy a good qualify of rain chain and it should be able to handle rain coming down through the downspout, Danielle. I’ve seen them around Cambria going from the second story down to ground level, and they seem to work fine. Very beautiful!