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California Gardening

Rain barrels before or after the first rain?

Cori Ann - H0uzz violated my privacy

9 years ago

Looks like we are finally going to get some rain in my area this week. My DH and I bought 2 rain barrels this weekend. We leveled the ground where they're going and planned to finish setting them up today before the rain hits.

I'm wondering if we should let this rain hit without the barrels collecting the water though. Just to allow the ground we leveled to settle.

It's the first real rain of the season (seems like in years here in permadrought CA??). Supposed to rain on and off in my area the next 5 days. Thoughts?

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Comments (2)

Tim Walker
9 years ago
Does your barrel have a bottom spigot? If so, I would raise them off of the ground. Fill them up, if necessary relevel when empty.
Cori Ann - H0uzz violated my privacy
Original Author
9 years ago
Good idea. Yes. It has a bottom spigot. We had planned to have them raised up on cinder blocks and have it all set up that way. It's a great idea to let the rain fill them up, check for leaks, empty them and re-level if needed. Common sense! I just needed someone else to think of it. :) Thanks so much!
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