How many of you try to conserve water at your Lakeland homes? As all our earth-conscious readers know, our planet is threatened by a lack of fresh water. Conserving water in our daily lives will help not just the environment, but also our wallets. It’s the little things we do which turn into great things.

Here in Florida, we get precipitation throughout the year. The recovery of rainwater is the beginning of a solution to water conservation. It is not potable so you don’t want to drink it, but it can easily be captured in a rain barrel and used for the garden or to wash your car or the sidewalk.

Here are instructions to make your own rain barrel, cheap and easy!

You need a plastic barrel (large or small, it depends on how much water you want to catch). A plastic garbage can will work, but a food-grade plastic barrel is better. You will also need a faucet and fittings, which are available at your local hardware store, and basic tools. There are lots of instructions and videos online; we like these because they are fairly detailed.

Preferably, you want it place your barrel in the shade, and remember to empty and clean it once a year. Read More→