After using 2-50 gal. trash barrels for the past several yrs. and dipping into them with my bucket, I started looking for better methods to collect and distribute rainwater. I was able to attend a Rainwater Harvesting workshop at the Tx A&M AgriLife Research and Extension in Dallas, TX. Please go to their site. It has lots of info. www.rainwaterharvesting.tamu.edu
Now the proud owner of 5-55 gal. barrels which I put the screening and faucets on at the class, I am ready to get rain! 2 barrels are hooked together for more storage and I have soaker hoses going into the beds. I covered the hoses with newspaper for weed control and then a layer of mulch/compost to retain moisture. Currently I do not have a pump for gravity has been enough. The barrels are on concrete blocks to raise them to about 12".
