300+ Gallon Rain Barrel System

Thanks for the great pictures and write up. Your idea of a small pump should provide the needed pressure,

-- Paul, La Center Washington

Nice job on the watering system Harold.Good luck with the pump.

-- Bon,Hastings,Ont.....zone 5a....Always room for one more

Now that’s a system!

-- Father of two boys. Both Eagle Scouts.

Quite a fantastic project you two, very impressive. Wish we recieved enough rain to warrent something like this.

I wonder if you could use an air compressor to pump air into the barrel to assist with the preasure for the drip system? Or maybe just a regular sprinkler valve at the end of the main outflow?

-- There's a box?

Hey you two, this looks fantastic. Maybe all you need is a cheap pump from Harbor Freight. If I remember correctly, drip irrigation requires only about 15 lbs of pressure. My DH (professional plumber) and I were just discussing this.

We have started installing a cistern this fall, but the digging is going so slow, that I am afraid winter will put a halt to our project. It’s going to be HUGH! 14 ft dia x min 6 feet deep. That should allow us to collect not just rain, but snow melt. Sounds like swimming pool size to me.

“Hey Honey, do you think we can swim in it too? Maybe build a deck around it? Add some lounge chairs? And serve drinks with little umbrellas?” “Let’s just wait and see if we can get the hole dug first” he tells me :)

-- coloradogirl---SW Colorado, 7,000' elevation, zone 4,

Joel – I have drilled severl smalle holes (3/16 or 1/4 “) in the tops of each barrel or I thinkI’m getting enough air movement in the tamks. I better valve as you suggest may be a step in the right direction. I do thiink that the valve on there now is too restrictive.

Liana – Funny girl you are! I hope you are not digging that by hand!! BTW – what is a DH? “My DH (professional plumber)... ” ??

-- Pam grows 'em - I cook 'em...... Melbourne, Fl

DH stands for “Darling Husband” it can also be “Da_n Husband” when I’m ticked off at him.
And, yes, we are digging the hole by hand. DH is doing most of the digging, while I am playing go-fer. Maybe I need to take photos of this project for posting.

-- coloradogirl---SW Colorado, 7,000' elevation, zone 4,

Yes indeed you must take photos. I have often found myself in the midst of a project and then realize I’ve not taken any before photos. So get the camera rolling!!

-- Pam grows 'em - I cook 'em...... Melbourne, Fl

Very ingenious indeed! Thank you for sharing your talents as a good design that also saves money and effort is priceless!

-- A weed is a plant that is growing where it was not purposefully placed by human hands.

What are the buckets in the center? I am assuming some extra storage, repair parts, etc?

-- Steve, Vancouver, WA

Steve – sorry for not getting back to you sooner. The stackable containers in the middle are just that, storage. They were bought at Home Depot and Pam used them to hold potting soil and “Lord knows what else.” They are not water tight but they are handy to have as the lids are on a hinge and opens with out the need of having to lift off the other containers.

-- Pam grows 'em - I cook 'em...... Melbourne, Fl

I like the balance… very fung shui! Good solid looking system!

-- Steve, Vancouver, WA