If you have a garden with flowerbeds, you know how thirsty they can get in the summer. That’s not the only reason why it pays to collect rainwater in your garden. Not only is this source of moisture completely free, but it also brings a number of environmental and social positives.
Rainwater is easily sufficient for a wide range of activities that today waste drinking water. However, it is important to check before collecting water that your roofing material is safe and does not release harmful substances that could leach into the water.
Why collect rainwater?
It is well known that rainwater has an ideal pH and contains nitrates that help keep your garden in perfect condition. Another great advantage is that it contains no chlorine and is therefore much more suitable for watering plants and flowers. It also doesn’t contain too many salts and minerals, so it doesn’t overload plants and provides them with the right nutrients for growth. An equally important reason is the financial savings, which can run into thousands of crowns per year. And last but not least, of course, you save the environment and behave sustainably and ecologically.
Save up to 50% of your drinking water
Rainwater can not only be used to irrigate your garden, but you can also use it to flush or do laundry. If you have such plans, it is better to get an underground tank connected to a separate water supply in the house. Of course, such an installation requires some structural modifications, but the end result is definitely worth it and the investment will pay for itself in water and energy savings over time. Studies have shown that rainwater harvesting using this system in homes typically saves up to a whopping 50% of drinking water.
If you just want to water with rainwater, ordinary barrels will suffice for collecting water from the roof. It’s a good idea to equip them with their own lid to prevent water contamination. Basically, just place the barrel under the eaves and connect the water collector to it. However, you can only collect water in this way as long as it is not freezing or snowing. It is therefore advisable to hide the barrels for the winter and only bring them out again with the first spring sunshine.