Educational EarthBox Noteworthy Projects to Generate Discussion

[PrimoPepper]

John,

You are correct, this is an event that is sponsored by our local Extension office, (Pasco County).  The UF/IFAS - Pasco County Extension is hosting an expo on December 1st, where the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods (FY&N), will have a Rainbarrel Workshop.

I have all ready placed my order for 4 Rainbarrels at $30 each since this is the minimum I believe I will need.  Once I have these setup and I have sufficient rain collected, I fully intend to use as much rain water as possiable to feed my EB's from that point forward.

Thanks again for the encouragement and awesome information !!

Primo

[PrimoPepper]

John,

Thanks for the encouragement to attend this seminar... It was so totally awesome!

The seminar was about an hour in length.  The speaker did an excellent job of explaining various reasons why more people should use rain barrels. (Personally, I had no idea that our area is in a Level 2 Drought).   Everyone who attended the seminar received an information packed envelope of pamphlets and books.  According to Joanne East, Master Gardener, Pasco County Coooperative Extension, "Food grade recycled plastic barrels are available at various places in the Tampa Bay area usually for $10.00 - $15.00 each."

I saw some Rain Barrels that are being used / exhibited, and took some pictures to share...

Primo

[dancing lemons]

Primo,

Could you share some info on the Rain Barrel class?  I really want to use rain but we have a HUGE population of birds that make our neighborhood home and they have that "dropping" thing that they do so well.  Not to mention the yard rats (squirrels) that run across the roof and 'poop' as they go.  I do not know if I can save water with bird and squirrel 'stuff' in it.  The roof is slate from the late 1940's so might have some lead?? Also there is a portion that we replaced with shingles and I do not know how to find out if the shingles have asbestos.  Can you just maybe give a little enlightenment on what you learned? 

Thanks,
DL

[Donald1800]

In general, bird and animal 'poop' is considered to be in the "organic" class of soil ammendments, and would be O.K. in the garden water supply.  However, lead and asbestos is better left out if contaminating the garden water supply.  Try to identify the sources of the materials and contact the manufacturing company for further details.

Donald1800

[PrimoPepper]

DL,

The focus of this seminar, was on our need for rain barrels, and how to go about making a rain barrel.  In the literature they handed out, the only real mention regarding roofs (other than as being used as a catchment area), was in the publication, "Rain Barrels, A Homeowner's Guide",  Author:  Gerard Waston, (Hillsborough County Water Department, Water Conservation Staff),
http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/publications/files/rain_barrels_guide.

On page 23 of this publication,
"What about water quality,
The quality of rainwater shedding off a roof or gutter system is more than adequate for plants.  In fact, it can be beneficial due to the lack of chlorine and a lower PH level then utility-provided water.  As rainwater sheds off a roof or other catchment area, it can carry with it some levels of algae, roofing materials, or bird droppings.  These are not a concern for nonpotable uses or occasional contact by the homeowner."

Primo

[dancing lemons]

Thanks Primo. Good info on that link.
Thanks Donald.  I should have thought of that because I use bat guano.

I will save some of that roof water and send it off for testing.  All of the houses in our section of town were built in the 1920-40's and lead was used in lots of places.  I know that everyone signs the lead disclosure form in the negative -- unless they actually built the house and know for sure that it has lead contamination.

Watching the difference in my EB plants after a rain and after watering with municipal treated water is amazing.  After a rain the plants really PERK up even though they only get a little of the rain because of the plastic cover over the potting mix.  After watering with city water they keep going but there is a noticable difference.  Even using the AWS after a rain the plants look much better.

DL

[John]

DL,
The water testing idea is a very good one.  I did attend a rain-barrel seminar.  However, I may attend another one because I also thought about some of the questions that you are asking.   I was also wondering if aluminum rain gutters would affect the water.