My first rain barrel is almost ready.

[trof]

Sorry, no pics, but you'll get the idea.
We have a 12' section of roof edge that channels rainfall from 3 'planes' of roof. When it rains there's a real waterfall there.

I'm hanging plastic gutter there with one downspout/drain.
This will channel all the flow into a 35 gal. plastic garbage can.
The 35 gal. can sits atop a similar inverted can to give about 3' of height and faster gravity flow through...
a standard hose bibb/faucet I installed about 3" from the bottom of the barrel.

I flipped the garbage can top upside down and that makes a nice catchment basin. I'll tack it to the barrel with 2 or 3 small screws to keep it from blowing off.
I'll drill a few 1/2" holes in the center and glue some landscape cloth over those to strain out any debris and bugs.

The runoff will be used to water my garden containers and not for consumption.
:-)

[snacker]

1. I LOVE our rain barrel!

My husband rigged one up for me last year, and I never had to water my flowers and hanging plants with anything but rainwater. It was great!

[trof]

2. Mine is full & overflowing this morning.

Big line of thunderstorms moved through the area.

[BOSSHOG]

3. Hey Trof

You may be getting more rain the next 48 hours or so.

Off topic but are you familiar with LuLu's Restaurant in Gulf Shores? We got her cookbook and it looks like a great place to hangout.

[trof]

4. Yep, I even know Lulu.

She kindly autographed our copy of Crazy Sista Cooking.
Many of the recipes are on the menu.
It's a very popular place.
A bit touristy and pricey, but good food.

She's encouraging local farmers and ranchers to produce more local food for restaurants and markets.
Lulu's also installed a wind powered generator a few months ago.

[hippywife]

5. We have one that is now full

and another that only had about five inches in it yesterday that is now 2/3 full! :wow: More snow and rain on the way. We're going to need another couple of them, I think. It would be nice to be able to water our garden solely this way. Since we go the square foot method, that takes less water anyway, it would be possible if we fill a couple more this rainy season.