December 11, 2024, 3:31 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
In times that are becoming drier and drier, and when sprinkling lawns with tap water is already banned regionally, it makes sense for garden owners to collect rainwater and use it. Once you have installed a method, you have a permanent supply of water for irrigation – provided it rains.
Using rainwater to water the garden has many advantages, both for the plants and for the gardener. myHOMEBOOK presents various methods below that are suitable for collecting rainwater. All you have to do is find the right place in your garden.
Collecting Rainwater in the Garden Has Many Advantages
It is worthwhile for garden owners to collect rainwater and reuse it for irrigation. These are the advantages:
- Lower degree of hardness: Rainwater has a lower degree of hardness than normal tap water and therefore contains less lime. This makes rainwater better for plants, as they can absorb nutrients better in some cases.
- Lower costs: Rainwater is free, whereas you have to pay a fee for tap water—a convincing advantage for many garden owners.
- Sustainability: Valuable drinking water should be used carefully. It also has to be treated first, which takes up resources.
- Simple installation: Once the collection tank is correctly installed, it continuously collects rainwater. The effort involved is limited – if a rain gutter with a downpipe is available.
The Right Place to Collect Rainwater
To collect rainwater in the garden, you need to be close to a downpipe where the water would actually be directed into the sewer system. However, it does not necessarily have to be the rain gutter of the house. Rainwater can also be collected from a garage or bicycle shed that has a gutter installed.
You should also ensure that the location, for example, for a rain barrel, is well secured and fixed. A full water barrel can weigh a considerable amount. It is best to secure the area with stone slabs.
Note: The Federal Environment Agency warns against collecting rainwater from roofs covered with copper, zinc, or roofing felt. It could contain harmful substances.
How Does the Rainwater Get into the Container?
When it rains, water collects in the gutter and is drained downwards via a vertical downpipe. There are three options here:
- The pipe discharges directly into the tank, but this can quickly overflow. This option may be suitable for a smaller roof area.
- A rainwater flap can be used to manually control the flow of water and drain it into the barrel. When this is full, the flap is closed.
- A rainwater collector is a sophisticated system that is integrated into the downpipe. It works according to the physical principle of communicating vessels. Rainwater is fed into the container via a hose – up to a certain water level. When the canister is full, the water automatically flows directly from the pipe into the sewer system.
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Collecting Rainwater in the Garden – 4 Methods
Depending on the size of the garden and water consumption, there are various ways to collect rainwater. Basically, they differ mainly in terms of volume.
1. Rain Barrel
A rain barrel for collecting rainwater is the simplest and most cost-effective option. As a rule, the round containers hold around 200 liters. A lid is important so that children or animals cannot fall in. The water is either taken from the top or via a tap on the side. The typical dark green rain barrels are available at home improvement stores starting at 40 euros. Higher-end models are also available with a decorative wooden barrel appearance.
Tip: Several barrels can also be linked with a connecting piece to store a larger quantity.
2. Rainwater Tank
An above-ground rainwater tank impresses with its large capacity of around 1000 liters. However, it is also significantly more expensive and requires a stable foundation to prevent sinking due to its weight.
3. Cistern / Underground Water Tank
Collecting rainwater with an underground cistern or water tank is the most complex method. This method requires excavation and the installation of a piping system. Some specialized companies offer this service as an all-inclusive package, but it comes with a higher price tag. For example, a tank with a capacity of 65,000 liters costs more than 7000 euros. There are also volumes above the 100,000-liter mark, but these are only worthwhile for very high demand.
4. Rainwater Strainer / Rainwater Collector
A rainwater strainer, also known as a downspout filter, is a device that is inserted into the downpipe. A hose is attached to it, which drains rainwater directly from the pipe. This hose is then laid out in a flower bed. It’s recommended that the hose’s location be changed periodically. Over time, this practice will create natural underground water reservoirs. As soon as a dry period sets in, the surrounding plants can draw on these reserves.
Tip: Large rainwater harvesting systems are also available for the home.