ECOShift

Well, it looks like spring is coming fast (thank goodness) so it's time to start thinking about bringing out your rainbarrels and seasonal rainwater collection systems and getting them ready to start collecting rainwater again.

Spring is such a beautiful time of the year for those of us who live in a region where we have just experienced months of cold and snow.  To see life beginning to bloom and grow, and to see the color change from brown to green, red, yellow and whatever other colors you have around your home and community is just amazing.   It's also a great time to start collecting rainwater and getting your rainwater collection system setup and ready for the spring/summer seasons.  Even though it may typically rain more in the spring than it does in the mid summer months we can get dry spells during spring as well.  It's important to help newly growing plants and existing plants and grasses to establish/re-establish  strong and deep root growth to help them further withstand the intense heat and drought that may lie ahead in the summer. 

Even during hot dry summers your rainwater harvesting system may make the difference for your plants, shrubs, fruits, vegetables or grass.  Depending on the amount of storage your system is capable of your rainwater system can help your vegitation through those hot dry spells which occur between rainfall events.  If you are looking at new plants for your garden it's also a good idea talk to an expert about plant species that are more native to your climate and that can withstand the heat, sun and dryness that may be ahead this summer.  There are some dry spells that will outlast your rainwater collection capacity and having selected native plants species will be helpful in ensuring your plants make it to the next rainfall if you run out of rainwater in you rainwater harvesting system.

So let's all start thinking about getting our rainwater systems dusted off, setup, and ready to go so we can all use rainwater as much as possible for our irrigation needs and try to avoid the use of municipally supplied water as much as possible.