Tips for Rainwater Harvesting

Collecting and using rainwater with an Ivy or Moby rain barrel makes it possible to keep your garden and lawn well hydrated without supersaturating your water bill. Here are a few tips if you’re setting up a rain barrel.

• Elevate the rain barrel using blocks to allow easy access to the outlet and to create head pressure. Use a level to position the blocks to ensure stability. If you will be using a watering can, make sure the height is sufficient to put the can under the outlet.

• Attaching a short length of hose to the spout is another way to make the water easier to access.

• Clean the screened inlet from time to time to keep it free of debris.

• Screens prevent mosquitos from entering the barrel and laying eggs, but sometimes eggs will wash down from a gutter. If you feel you have mosquito activity in your rain barrel, use Mosquito Dunks. A small piece is enough to kill any eggs.

• Just can’t get enough? Link multiple rain barrels together by connecting the overflow port from one barrel to another.