Collect your rainwater

GARDEN PATCH

Phyllis Webster earned a degree in journalism before embarking on a long career in public relations and marketing. A Granbury resident since 1998, she has been deeply involved in the community. She is an award-winning writer and photographer, as well as a Master Gardener. She has authored Garden Patch since 2001. 

In North Central Texas, summer rain rarely follows spring showers. The water tap typically shuts off by July 4^th! Knowing this, we should collect rainwater while it is readily available. Your stored water will help you affordably grow vegetable and ornamental plants if drought and water restrictions ensue.

Efficient water use is increasingly urgent given our limited supply of both groundwater and surface water. Rainwater is easily diverted, captured, and stored for later use. If treated, rainwater may be used for drinking. But since Texas communities regularly expend 30-60 percent of their total water consumption on landscape irrigation, this single use is where the greatest conservation gains may be attained. Harvesting water to irrigate landscapes not only makes an efficient use of a valuable resource, but the practice can also reduce water bills, slash demand on municipal water supplies and reduce flooding, erosion, and surface water contamination.

Plants prefer rainwater! It is free of salts and other minerals that harm root growth. As rain percolates into the soil, it pushes salts (prevalent in fertilizers) down and away from root zones leaving them a better environment in which to grow. The deeper the roots grow, the more drought tolerant the plants become.

Storm water falling on impermeable surfaces runs off immediately, causing erosion and washing pollutants into area waterways. Roofs, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots and roads are typical of the impermeable surfaces found in urban areas. Diverting some of this rain helps to slow the runoff and allows water more time to soak into the ground. To mitigate flooding and erosion, direct the rain hitting rooftops into gutters and then into harvesting systems, such as rain barrels.

Storage containers, either under or above ground, are generally made of polyethylene, fiberglass, concrete, wood, or metal. Underground systems often cost more than aboveground storage due to excavation and pumping. Examples of aboveground containers include steel drums, barrels, cisterns, and stock tanks. If re-using a previously owned container, ensure that it is free of any toxic residues.

Tips for storage container placement and use are:

1) Elevate storage to take advantage of gravity flow.

2) Place storage tanks near plants and below downspouts.

3) Screen unsightly containers with plants or behind structures.

4) Check homeowners’ association rules before placing any large storage containers.

5) Connect several tanks together to increase storage capacity.

6) Allow excess water to spill out, preferably where it will benefit lawns/plants, and

7) Keep gutters and downspouts free of debris.

For detailed information on planning and building a rainwater harvesting system, request publications from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, http://agrilifebookstore.org.

For answers to your horticulture questions, please call the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Hood County at 817-579-3280 or go online to visit lakegranburymastergardeners.org.

pwebsterco@gmail.com | 817-680-4849