Bartholomew County

Soil & Water

Conservation District

Rain Barrels & Composters

Composters

Garden Benefits

Compost is great for the garden because it improves the soil, which in turn supports healthier and more productive plants. Compost provides virtually all of the essential nutrients for healthy plant growth, and it releases those nutrients over time to give plants a slow, steady, consistent intake of the nutrients essential for growth. Compost also improves the soil’s structure, making it easier for soil to hold and use the right amount of moisture and air. Compost will improve the texture of both clay and sandy soil, making them into rich, moisture holding, loamy soils. And, as an added benefit, compost improves plant vigor and provides for improved immunology from diseases.

Environmental Benefits

The most obvious environmental benefit is that composting can significantly reduce the amount of solid waste that would otherwise find its way into the trash collection and dumping cycle. Clearly, the more we compost, the less we contribute to the cost of trash removal and the volume of solid materials in landfills. Using compost to feed your lawn and garden will also reduce your dependency on chemical fertilizers. So, you’ll save money and reduce — if not illiminate— the potential of chemical pollution to your little piece of the environment. Using compost instead of chemical fertilizers will ensure that your lawn and garden thrive in soil that is alive and healthy.

Rain Barrels

What is a Rain Barrel?

A rain barrel is a system that collects and stores rainwater from your roof that would otherwise be lost to runoff and diverted to storm drains and streams.

What are the Advantages of a Rain Barrel?

Helps Reduce Stormwater Pollution:Rainwater stored in rain barrels helps reduce the amount of stormwater runoff and the amount of pollutants that are picked up and carried to storm sewers, creeks and rivers.
Conserves Water Supply Resources: Lawn and garden watering make up nearly 40% of total household water use during the summer. Rainwater used from rain barrels helps reduce the amount of water used from underground aquifers. Saving water not only helps protect the environment, it also saves you money and energy.
Better for Plants and Gardens:Rainwater stored in rain barrels is a naturally soft water and devoid of minerals, chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals. For this reason, plants respond very well to rainwater. After all, it’s what plants in the wild thrive on!
Helps Inform Your Neighbors: One of the best reasons to start harvesting rainwater with rain barrels is to teach and encourage others to do the same. You will help to spread the culture of rainwater collection and in turn, help your larger community and the environment.

Rain Barrel Instructions

It is a good idea to put your barrel up on a flat, stable platform (concrete blocks, landscaping blocks or other solid support). The added height increases the water pressure and allows you to put a bucket under the spigot to bring water to your indoor plants. A full 55 gallon rain barrel weighs over 450 pounds.
Install an overflow hose to direct water away from your house foundation for times of high rainfall.
Locate and install your rain barrel to keep kids safe. Keep your rain barrel lid tight at all times to prevent children, animals and insects from entering or falling in.
Measure and cut the downspout. Use the existing elbow or a flexible spout attachment to direct the water to the top of the barrel. The end of the downspout should be cut 6-8 inches above the top of the barrel. Downspouts can be cut with a hacksaw. Flexible spouts can be purchased at hardware stores or home centers.
In the Fall, you need to empty your rain barrel and then leave the valve (spigot) open. Remove the cap on the lower fitting. Leave the barrel in place and in the Spring just close the valve and install the cap.
Diverters are available that can easily switch the downspout from filling the barrel to normal operation once the barrel is full.

Using Rain Barrel Water

Water your flowers, trees, shrubs, and lawn.
Wash your car; rinse tools or muddy boots.
Do not drink water from your rain barrel.
Do not cook or bathe with water from your rain barrel.
All of the plastic rain barrels are made from re-cycled food grade barrels. The rain barrels have a screw on top with one inch holes, screen mesh to keep out debris and mosquitoes, an overflow male hose connection, a drain valve and a connection to attach additional barrels.