Rain Barrel Maintenance and Installation
Now that you own a rain barrel, you need to install it. When deciding where to install your rain barrel, keep in mind where you would like to have water for your gardens or lawn. Also keep in mind that in order to water your gardens, your rain barrel must be above your garden. Therefore an elevated location is ideal. Use concrete blocks, patio blocks or something sturdy to elevate your barrel further 16” or 2’ is ideal. As a full rain barrel is quite heavy make certain that your barrel is level and will not rock or move.
Your Verde Strategies retro fitted rain barrel is a 55 gallon food drum that is made from sturdy industrial plastic. Therefore the maintenance of your barrel is minimal. Before major rain events, drain your barrel into your yard our garden. This will allow for your rain barrel to retain more water and fill with new fresh water. If you find that there are mosquitoes in your rain barrel, you can use an old stocking or cheese cloth around the outside of your filter or if you would prefer you may purchase a pool sock. Also, you may put a small amount of vegetable oil in the barrel. If you do use vegetable oil, make sure that after each rain event that overflows your barrel, you add more vegetable oil. This will help alleviate your mosquito problem.
At the end of the season, completely drain your rain barrel. Turn your barrel upside down and either leave it in place or put it into storage.