Rain Barrels: Save Your Rain for a Sunny Day...

This has been the perfect summer for using our rain barrels.  With lower than normal rainfalls and lots of hot, hot weather, these beauties have been a garden (and water bill) life saver!
I really can't say enough how thankful I am that we purchased two of these about five years ago.
I had been researching them and thought what a great idea to use free water to water the landscape.

If you do any kind of gardening or even water your lawn frequently, then an investment in one or more rain barrels is the way to go.  It's like harnessing solar or wind power, a great way to use what is around you to resource your own needs.  And with so many places in this country experiencing a drought, and many countries experiencing water shortages...it's a way to...yes, I'll say it, help save the planet!

While they can be a bit pricey to purchase, depending on the size, design and company, the return far outweighs the investment.  We purchased ours online as most companies offer free shipping.  Craig's List is a good place to look too.  Click here to get started shopping online or if you're feeling very crafty, then click here to learn how to make your own.  There's also great tutorials on  You Tube that show you how to get started.

The only thing I don't like about our rain barrels is that they aren't big enough.  Go for the 55 gallon size, you won't regret it. Once you start saving water, it becomes a bit addictive...so be aware!

Hope you were inspired to save your own water for a sunny day.  Blessings!

Check out more sustainable ways to live at this link!

Just a Few of My Favorite (Garden) Things

It's time for another garden update for July!  So I've included some photos of what's growing and coming along so far in my zone 5 garden.  This first photo was taken during a severe dry spell, but the last garden photo was taken after a couple of great soaking rains came along.  So thankful for the rain.   I am also extremely happy owning two rain barrels which I'll show and talk about in a coming blog.  They are a lifesaver to a garden, not to mention to a water bill.  After all, one of the benefits to gardening is to save $$$ and the rain barrels certainly do that.  They are also eco-friendly, but I am getting ahead of myself.  

Enjoy the garden pics!

Before the rain...

You always have to watch peas. As soon as you see a bloom, the fruit's not far behind!  I snacked on some today.  

It's crazy to have these in July, but our garden got put in late and I really wanted some for snacking.  Besides, I got to use these nifty bamboo hoops which are perfect for the peas...

I planted this once years ago and it comes up faithfully every year.  I weed it actually.  It tastes good, not exactly like spinach, but very close. It's reliable, doesn't mind hot weather AND the bugs leave it alone.  A huge plus when gardening organically.

I have two beautiful eggplants (Click to see them!) ready to be picked in a few more days...!

Praying for a great crop this year to can for my own sauce...

Thanks for taking the tour.  I'll be showing harvested vegetables soon...blessings!