Good call on the lavender—my wife swears by it, and honestly, evenings on our deck improved quite a bit after we planted some around the perimeter. About your rain harvesting setup, make sure you use fine mesh screens or covers on barrels to keep mosquitoes from laying eggs. Learned that the hard way when I first set mine up...had a nice little mosquito nursery going until I figured it out. Also, if you're using downspouts, angle them properly so water drains quickly into storage and doesn't pool anywhere. Standing water is basically a mosquito magnet. A quick weekly check for stagnant spots helps too—it only takes a minute to dump out anything that's collected. Good luck with it; rain harvesting's great once it's dialed in.
Haha, mosquito nursery...been there myself. Definitely second the mesh screens—those little suckers find their way into everything. One thing I'd add is to make sure your overflow system is solid. Learned the hard way during a heavy storm that my barrel setup wasn't quite ready for prime time...ended up with a mini flood around the foundation (oops). A simple overflow pipe or hose directed away from the house can save you some headaches.
Also, if you're hooking it up near your garden, think about elevating the barrels slightly. Gravity-fed watering is a beautiful thing—no pumps, no electricity, just good ol' physics doing its job. Makes watering plants way easier and feels oddly satisfying.
Sounds like you're on track though, and once you get past these initial hiccups, rain harvesting really pays off. Keep us updated on how it goes!
Good call on elevating the barrels—wish I'd thought of that before lugging watering cans around all summer. One thing I'd add from my own mishaps: make sure your barrels are sturdy enough to handle freezing temps if you're in a colder climate. I had one crack wide open after an unexpected freeze...not fun cleaning up that icy mess. But yeah, once you iron out the kinks, it's pretty satisfying seeing your plants thrive on free water.
"I had one crack wide open after an unexpected freeze...not fun cleaning up that icy mess."
Been there—definitely not a good time. I'd also suggest adding a simple overflow valve or hose to direct excess water safely away from your foundation. Learned that lesson the hard way...
Yikes, cracked barrels are definitely a headache. Had a similar experience myself a couple winters back—came out one morning to find my barrel split right down the side and water frozen solid inside. Not exactly the DIY success story I was hoping for, haha.
One thing I've found really helpful since then is insulating the barrels or at least wrapping them up when cold snaps are forecasted. Even something as simple as bubble wrap or old blankets can make a surprising difference. Also, positioning your barrels in a spot that gets some sun exposure during winter days can help thaw things out quicker and prevent ice from building up too thick.
I totally agree about the overflow valve suggestion—it's crucial. But I'd also add that you might want to consider installing a diverter or shut-off valve on your downspout. That way, you can easily redirect water away from your barrel during freezing weather or heavy storms. It gives you more control and peace of mind, especially if you're away from home when unexpected weather hits.
Another thing worth mentioning: don't underestimate the importance of sturdy supports or stands for your barrels. Water weighs around 8 pounds per gallon, so even a modest-sized barrel can get pretty heavy when full. A solid base that's slightly elevated off the ground helps prevent cracking due to uneven pressure or shifting soil beneath it.
Anyway, don't get discouraged by setbacks like this—rain harvesting setups are totally worth it once you've ironed out these kinks. Plus, every DIY project has its learning curve...trust me, I've had plenty of "learning experiences" myself along the way.
