May 23, 2012

Water Butts and How They are Beneficial

Here at Sprinkler Juice, we are big on conserving water. People all over the world are faced with devastating droughts. It is our goal to help you become acquainted with new, old, and current tactics being used to conserve water. This guest post is about how to use Water Butts as an effective means of watering your yard and garden.

water butts

During the hottest periods of the year, seventy percent of water in homes in the UK is wasted by watering gardens. Currently, the United Kingdom is experiencing the worst drought since 1976. Fortunately, the recent rain has improved the situation, but with hosepipe bans still in place, it is prudent for citizens to be prepared for future droughts. The most important step in conserving precious water is to catch rainwater instead. The benefits of water butts and how they can help with all watering needs include having enough water to spare and providing a lower water payment.

Setting Up A Water Butt

Water butts may be purchased at garden supply stores. Along with just a few simple tools, these may be installed quite easily. One type of rain barrel is set upon a slab of concrete that has been checked with a level. This assures that the weight of the barrel will be evenly balanced. Before connecting the spout to the water butt, mark the area where it will go with a felt pen, then drill the hole to fit the size of the connector. Attach the connector pipe and screw it in tightly. Next, set the barrel upright against the roofs downpipe and mark where it will be cut. After cutting with a saw, connect the diverter to the downpipe and the barrel. Lastly, secure the lid on top.

Using A Water Butt

Water butts may be very large or relatively small, but no matter the size they can help with all watering needs. After a heavy downpour or when enough garden water is collected, a watering can may be held beneath the spout and used to water flowers, vegetables and other plants. When watering, the best times of the day are early morning and evening to reduce evaporation in hot weather. On average, depending on how much rain falls each year, the water barrel may fill up as much as twenty times.

Different needs mean different water butts. For example, the 110 Litre is best for small greenhouses and outhouses. The 100 Litre is a real space saver as it is wider at the top than the bottom. For those with children, the 120 and 210 Litre water butts have child lockable covers. For a stylish wood grain look, the 120 Litre Oakwood has an easy twist tap and comes with its own stand for convenience. These are just a few of the many styles and sizes of water butts that will come in handy when rules are in place during a drought. Fortunately for those home owners, they will enjoy lower water bills while watering their gardens freely, simply because they chose to take a few easy steps to collect garden water.

About the Author

This is a Guest Post by Ewan Michaels who enjoys gardening in his spare time and believes that sustainability is a necessary part of our future. He currently works for UK Water Features who are also a fountains provider.

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Phil Goold is a retired landscaper of 30 years. He loves being outside more than anything else, except maybe pie. He enjoys connecting with other landscapers and gardeners because everyone brings something new and fun to the table. Connect with Phil on Twitter and Google+.

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