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Rain Barrels and Drip Irrigation #784277

Asked March 17, 2022, 3:15 PM EDT

Good afternoon master gardeners! I guess my question may be pretty apparent from my subject line, but I'm hoping for some advice on setting up a rain barrel system with drip irrigation. I'm definitely open to all advice, though a few parameters from our rain barrel experience so far: we're hoping for an open system (if I'm using the term right, one with some kind of lid that we can take off for more easy cleaning), we'd like to be able to link multiple barrels on each side of the garage, and we'd like the system to be BPA free. The pictures will give you an idea of our gutter and garden setup. Just let me know if I can clarify at all. Really appreciate the help! --Jordan Bray

Cuyahoga County Ohio

Expert Response

You could buy a rain barrel and run the downspout to it. I have found most of these barrels very expensive, hard to clean, and the outlet is not at the bottom side of the barrel. Here is one of mine that receives water directly from the spouting. It is elevated on blocks so I can get a watering can under it or attach a hose to water my blackberries. The top is covered with a window screen held with a bungee cord to prevent mosquito breeding. I think mine was free from a car wash and contained detergent. You can link tanks together so they will all fill to the same level. Install a plumbing nipple at the bottom side of the barrel, add a hose Y, then connect them all with hoses from a cloths washing machine. There is a diverter designed for downspouts. I use them on my big tanks connected to the barn downspout. I divert water to the tanks until filled, then let the water run to the ground. This is the water I use for my orchard. There are kits that connect the barrel directly to the rain barrel. Mine came from Home Depot. They work if you carefully follow the instructions. Good luck!  I hope my pictures transport OK.


Hi Jim,

Thank you for getting back to me! Some excellent advice here and the pictures were very helpful. I will work on upgrading our system!

Thanks again and hope all is well!

Jordan


On Tue, Mar 29, 2022, 10:27 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied March 30, 2022, 12:06 PM EDT

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