Barrels of Fun:An Introduction to Rain & Compost Barrels

Definition of a Rain Barrel

• A rain barrel can be any large container designed to collect rain water

• Typically, rain barrels are placed at the bottom of downspouts in order to collect rain as it runs off of a roof

• For every inch of rain that falls on 1,000 square feet of roof, about 600 gallons of water can be collected

Benefits of a Rain Barrel

• Provide soft, slight acid water that is typically preferable to city water (which may be chlorinated) or well water (which may have excessive mineral content) for irrigating woody & herbaceous ornamentals and lawns

• Reduce the potential for basement flooding by directing water away from house foundations

• Reduces erosion & prevents storm water pollution of lakes and waterways

Watering Precautions

• Due to possible leaching of chemicals and microorganisms (e.g. bacteria and fungi) from roofing materials, rain barrel water is not recommended for use on vegetables or for human consumption

• Rain barrels are not recommended for homes with tar or gravel roofs or roofs made of asbestos or treated cedar shakes shingles

Watering Precautions

• Rutgers, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station• Have the water tested for: zinc, lead, chromium,

arsenic, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, fecal coliform, and E. coli

• Once the water is confirmed to be safe use a drip hose to water vegetable plants

• Always be sure to rinse vegetables with potable water prior to eating or preserving

Parts of a Rain Barrel

Opening with screen to prevent debris & insects from entering the barrel

Spigot to drain

Overflow valve with hose connection to direct water away from house foundation

55-60 gallon barrel

Bricks to elevate and level the barrel

5 Barrel System

• Install a screen on the opening to prevent breeding• Add a couple tablespoons of vegetable cooking oil,

oil will float to the top and suffocate the mosquito larvae

• Purchase mosquito dunks available at many hardware and garden centers

• Empty the rain barrel every week

Mosquito Prevention

Rutgers Rain Barrels Publication

Algae Solutions

• Keep barrel out of direct sunlight

• Paint the barrel dark colors

• If algae is a problem• Empty barrel• Wash barrel with ¾ cup

bleach to one gallon water

• Rinse well after bleaching and dispose of bleach water

General Maintenance

• Regularly clean the screen on tops of your rain barrel to ensure that no organic material is blocking drainage

• In the fall, disconnect and drain your barrel to avoid freezing and cracking in winter

• Remember to reconnect your rain spout to direct water away from house foundation when the rain barrel is not in use

Rain Barrel Resources

UW-Extension Rain Barrel & Garden FYI sitehttp://fyi.uwex.edu/rainbarrels/about/

UW-Extension Horticulture Rain Barrel Publicationhttp://hort.uwex.edu/articles/rain-barrels

Rutgers Cooperative Extension Rain Barrel Websitehttp://water.rutgers.edu/Stormwater_Management/rainbarrels.html

Home Composting Definition

Composting is the process that uses microorganisms, carbon, and nitrogen food, moisture and oxygen to convert plant materials such as grass clippings, leaves, and other organic materials to compost, a more useable organic soil amendment.

- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Home Composting

Benefits of Using Compost

• Provides low levels of macro (nitrogen, phosphorus, & potassium) and trace nutrients essential for plant growth

• Increases soil organic matter that improves soil water holding capacity and soil physical properties that aid in greater plant root penetration

• Increases the soil biodiversity (microbes and other small creatures) that help plants obtain nutrients

• Maintains a balance to help prevent the outbreaks of disease causing organisms

How to Build Your Own Composter

Plans can be found at:http://www4.uwm.edu/shwec/publications/cabinet/composting/Can%20Composter.pdf

Can Composter

How to Build Your Own Composter

Plans can be found at:http://www4.uwm.edu/shwec/publications/

cabinet/composting/Barrel%20Composter.pdf

Barrel Composter

Materials that can be CompostedMaterial Contributes Comment

Algae, lake Nitrogen Good nutrient source

Cardboard Carbon Recommend shredding into small pieces

Coffee grounds Nitrogen Use coffee filters too for carbon source

Cornstalks, cobs Carbon Best if chopped and mixed with nitrogen source

Eggshells Other May take several years to fully break down

Grass clipping N (green)C (brown)

Combine with other materials to avoid matting

Fruit scraps Nitrogen Chop up rinds to speed up decomposition

Hair Nitrogen Add moisture and mix into pile

Junk Mail Carbon Shred into small pieces, avoid glossy pages

Newspaper Carbon Shred into small pieces, avoid glossy pages

Oak leaves Carbon Leaves are acidic, composting counteracts acidity

Sod Nitrogen Break up clumps, distribute grass side down

Materials to be Cautious With

Material Contributes Comments

Ashes, wood Other Use no more than 18 inchesProvides potassium, but can raise pH too high

Dryer lint Nitrogen Use lint from natural fiber (cotton), no synthetics

Hay Carbon Use caution if pesticides used on hay crop Use “hot” compost if weed seeds are present

Manure Nitrogen Use only from plant eater, that is partial to well rottedUse “hot” compost to kill E.coli or salmonella

Pine cones & needles

Carbon Recommend shredding and adding in small amounts (no more than 10% of regular compost pile)

Sawdust &Shaving

Carbon Do not use sawdust from pressure treated woodHigh in carbon, need extra nitrogen to compost

Weeds Nitrogen Annual weeds already gone to seed can be compostedLet plants with rhizomes or stolons die first

Materials that should Never be Used

• Ash, charcoal or coal• Bird droppings• Cat feces or litter• Dog droppings• Diseased plants

• Fish scraps• Lime• Meat and fat• Milk and cheese• Grease

Hot vs Cold Composting

Composting Resources

UW-Milwaukee/UW-ExtensionSolid & Hazardous Waste Education Center

http://www4.uwm.edu/shwec/publications/publications.cfm

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Compostinghttp://dnr.wi.gov/topic/recycling/compost.html

Thank you!

Dan MarzuAgricultural Development Educator

Lincoln & Marathon Counties

daniel.marzu@ces.uwex.edu715-539-1078