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Rain Barrels | Garden Housecalls

Rain Barrels June 19th, 2008

   Drought is one problem that won’t have Ron Simanovich over a barrel this summer.

   Actually, it would, come to think of it… because this Newberry Twp. gardener waters his flowers and veggies with rainwater stored in a pair of homemade rain barrels.

   “I collect rainwater off a little greenhouse that’s only about 160 square feet,” Simanovich says. “Just a half-inch of rain fills two 55-gallon barrels.”

   Simanovich has been doing this for seven years and is so sold on the concept that he’s adding a third barrel.

   “Water is a precious commodity,” he says. “Most people don’t realize that.”

   We’re starting to pay attention, though.

   Rain barrels are suddenly an intriguing item as last year’s horrid drought in the South and growing concerns about water pollution, conservation and all things green point to this age-old contraption as a trendy solution.

   The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources turned lots of heads at March’s Pennsylvania Garden Expo when it featured a rain-barrel hookup as a star of its earth-friendly display garden.

   “People are curious,” said DCNR spokeswoman Gretchen Leslie. “I think in the next 10 years, we’re going to pay more attention to our water. It’s an issue that’s hit some areas pretty hard already.”

   Highland Gardens, Ashcombe Farm and Greenhouses and Davis Country Living in Mechanicsburg are among local garden centers that have started carrying ready-made barrels with mosquito-proof screened tops, overflow systems and spigots. Highland even hand-paints flowers and ferns on its 60-gallon model.

   Tool giant Fiskars Brands Inc. last week announced plans to roll out its new barrels nationally at Wal-mart and other chain stores and home centers.

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