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Saving up for those rainless days days

Catching rainwater for later use watering gardens, lawns and in emergencies lessens the strain on the potable water supply.

By SHARON TUBBS
Published July 15, 2006

Jeannie Hayes does what makes natural sense.

She doesn't bother with plants that look pretty in season but freeze in wintertime. "That's stupid," said Hayes, who works with the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program at the Pasco County Extension. When the chill comes, "I'm not going out to cover it."

She doesn't use sprinkler systems to nourish grass. The sprinklers in the heavens do just fine without straining the potable water supply.

And she doesn't let good rain go to waste.

Floridians get plenty of downpours this time of year, and Hayes saves hers, for a rainless day.

She sets out 50-gallon barrels that catch falling rain, from roof gutters, for instance. A screen may go over the barrel to keep out bugs. Hayes, 59, uses a simple irrigation system, involving a spigot at the bottom of the barrel and hoses, to water plants or grass. She can even use rainwater to wash clothes.

Hayes and the R.E.S.O.U.R.C.E. Recycling Club will teach "water harvesting" techniques during a workshop at 9:30 a.m. today at the Land O'Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O'Lakes Blvd.

Additional rain barrel workshops will be offered later this year. About 500 to 600 people attend the sessions annually, Hayes said.

Those who just want the know-how can go for free. For $30, attendees get a membership to the recycling club and a barrel, spigot and screen for harvesting.

Of course, the barrels have been recycled. Many were used to ship imports to the country - peppers from Greece, juices from South America.

Makes sense, Hayes said. "It just doesn't pay to ship all the empty drums back to where they came from."

[Last modified July 14, 2006, 22:20:31]