Saturday, March 14, 2009
Attention! Rain Barrels with 2.9% APR
Seriously. I'd like one, but who has $150? Go green--get a second mortgage on your house. $150 appears to be a lower end average for 50 gallons, particularly if you don't want a diverter on the down spout (which is extra for $30, and which you do want). I found a barrel for $85, but shipping was $70. And 99% of them are darn ugly--why must "barrel" be synonymous with "ye olde lemon juice container to prevent ye olde scurvy on the high seas, arrr?" I--mean--they--are--ugly. Perhaps 'tis time to make my own out of taped-together nursery pots and squirrel tails.
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13 comments:
They are ridiculously overpriced. I made four of them for less than $100 out of food quality barrels and some basic parts from a home improvement center.
Yep. "Green" is the new Faberge egg with the price tag to match. Stupid, ain't it.
What Stuart said and what PG said...this may be the best reduce, reuse and recycling I do all day! gail
We had a rain barrel workshop in the neighborhood and for $50 we got all supplies, plus instruction on how to put it all together. We re-used olive barrels (mmm, briny).
PG--That's the way to go. I want mine to look like Brancusi sculptures. Can ya do that? :)
Stuart--Yer just making me angrier....
Gail--Nice. Don't spend the money = RRR.
Les--Did they come with olives? For martinis?
I hear 'ya bitchin'. I would consider one, or more, but not 'till I can find 'em for under $50. I would even add one to my Christmas list, but that's over the price I would ask anyone to pay for a gift.
I don't think squirrel tails are the answer. Once word got around those damn squirrels would hike their prices. Thieves.
Here's a solution: buy two 30 gallon galvanized trash cans (with lids) and stick them under the eaves. You can either take the lids off when it rains, and get fancy and cut a hole in the top of one for the downspout, and holes in the sides of each for tubing to route the overflow from the first into the secodn.
Since they're trash cans, they'll be cheap...
Oh, and don't forget to put screening over the holes to keep the mosquitoes out.
I'd listen to Susan, she knows how to make stuff - and she did make her own rain catchment system! We bought a barrel but I don't think it was that much, plus we are horrible at making stuff and the guy was super nice and installed it. I think it was a greek olive barrel, fairly tasteful (rust colored plastic with a black top).
Jim--But maybe once word got around, I'd have fewer squirrels at the feeder, too?
Susan--I like your idea. I might consider doing this, actually. Thanks.
Karen--Two votes for Susan; I still think she ought to come install them for me.
Benjamin--I'm leaving right now. I've got the duct tape...;-)
P.S., if you do decide to go the route of cutting a hole in top of one the lids for the downspout, don't forget to put some screening over it. You can attach it with silicone adhesive.
Susan--Where are you? I expected you an hour ago!
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