Gateway: Watering

Check out this in-ground rain catchment system

Not only did this resolve a puddling issue but has created a relatively “natural” way to store rain water and to keep the nearby plants watered long after the rain!

We’ve seen the idea of trenches and of using wood for water storage, in other blogs/discussions. This is yet another twist on the whole rain water usage.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

I found this video re: purifying rainwater

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

We have a huge cistern in the cellar. Thank god for it because we’re on well water and i’m not about to use it for the garden. What if the well runs dry? Perish the thought.

Yesterday we sprayed with dormant oil. What a smell. Glad it was outside. Anyway, for all of you who shudder at the thought of using chemicals, we have a problem with black spots on our maple trees. After working so hard to plant and nurture the little trees, it’s heartbreaking to see the ugly black spots on them. After consulting with the local nursery, it was suggested using dormant oil spray. I just hope it works.

Can you spray more than once per season? I realize the trees and shrubs have to be dormant.

-- Erika, Hastings, ON

I watched a video a while ago from Dave’s Nursery and he recommended spraying in winter and then again right before the buds opened… or something like that. I’d have to track down the video again.

-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a)

the in-ground rain catching system is interesting. One has to note that it does promote fungus. For those of us with mold allergies, this is a serious problem. However the idea is worthy of noting. I wonder if it could be adapted in a way that would not promote the growth of mold and fungus.

-- jroot ....... Southern Ontario .......... grow zone 5A ...................."Gardening is an exercise in optimism." ....... . . Author Unknown