Rain Water Capture & Irrigation

And

Urban Farming Project

Rain BarrelsRain Barrels

Rain barrels can be Rain barrels can be recycled ’food grade’ recycled ’food grade’ barrelsbarrels

Cost between $25-50Cost between $25-50 Can be found on-lineCan be found on-line Should have threaded Should have threaded

bunghole on coversbunghole on covers Usually hold about 55 Usually hold about 55

gallons eachgallons each

Elevate the barrelsElevate the barrels

Find a place where the gutter Find a place where the gutter meets a downspoutmeets a downspout

Measure enough room to Measure enough room to place barrel at gutter endplace barrel at gutter end

Build a treated platform so Build a treated platform so barrels fit as high as possiblebarrels fit as high as possible

Leave space for plumbingLeave space for plumbing

Add as many barrels as you Add as many barrels as you wantwant for maximum for maximum storagestorage

We used concrete We used concrete footers under 4”x4”postsfooters under 4”x4”posts

Platform 2”X6” ledger Platform 2”X6” ledger was attached to the was attached to the exterior wall with lag exterior wall with lag bolts bolts

4-5 inches were 4-5 inches were measured between 2”x6” measured between 2”x6” treated floor boards to treated floor boards to accommodate pipesaccommodate pipes

Use galvanized screwsUse galvanized screws

One inch of water on a One inch of water on a 1000 s.f. roof = 600+ gal.1000 s.f. roof = 600+ gal.

Place barrels top downPlace barrels top down

Align bung holes to Align bung holes to spaces between floor spaces between floor slatsslats

Makes sure to leave Makes sure to leave space for 3” PVCspace for 3” PVC

We made vertical We made vertical posts to attach a posts to attach a ‘surround’ to hide the ‘surround’ to hide the barrels barrels

Plumbing for IrrigationPlumbing for Irrigation

We created an irrigation system and a drinking water system in We created an irrigation system and a drinking water system in oneone

First we plumbed the first barrel to gravity feed across the yard to First we plumbed the first barrel to gravity feed across the yard to the planter areathe planter area

Plumb the barrels Plumb the barrels togethertogether

Barrels are plumbed Barrels are plumbed in series with trap for in series with trap for sediment filtration sediment filtration between each barrel. between each barrel. Specialized filters Specialized filters can be added-up to 2 can be added-up to 2 per barrel to create per barrel to create potable or bottled potable or bottled quality water.quality water.

Plumbing features Plumbing features

Irrigation lines are plumbed to first intake barrel Irrigation lines are plumbed to first intake barrel so that irrigation cycle back-flushes filters for so that irrigation cycle back-flushes filters for the rest of the system.the rest of the system.

An automatic timer with a moisture sensor can An automatic timer with a moisture sensor can be added to automate drip irrigation watering of be added to automate drip irrigation watering of garden boxes or plantings.garden boxes or plantings.

Filtered and drinking water are accessed from Filtered and drinking water are accessed from the last barrel in the series allowing it maximum the last barrel in the series allowing it maximum settling and sediment removal through the settling and sediment removal through the filtration system.filtration system.

Sediment FiltrationSediment Filtration GE Profile SmartWater Ultra Plus GE Profile SmartWater Ultra Plus

FQROMFFQROMFReverse Osmosis MembraneReverse Osmosis Membrane

This is a Genuine GE Reverse Osmosis This is a Genuine GE Reverse Osmosis MembraneMembrane

The FQROMF is used on the "Twist The FQROMF is used on the "Twist and Lock" Reverse Osmosis Filter and Lock" Reverse Osmosis Filter System and measures 8.5 inches x 2 System and measures 8.5 inches x 2 inches.inches.The FQROMF Reverse Osmosis The FQROMF Reverse Osmosis Membrane is used on the following Membrane is used on the following GE SmartWater reverse osmosis GE SmartWater reverse osmosis water filter systems including:water filter systems including:

PXRQ15PXRQ15PXRQ15FPXRQ15FPNRQ15PNRQ15PNRQ15FPNRQ15FPNRQ20PNRQ20PNRQ20FPNRQ20FPNRQ20FWWPNRQ20FWWPNRQ15FBLPNRQ15FBL

The GE UltraPlus FQROMF Reverse The GE UltraPlus FQROMF Reverse Osmosis System Membrane uses Osmosis System Membrane uses "Twist & Lock" technology. No tools "Twist & Lock" technology. No tools are required to change this are required to change this membrane.membrane.

The GE UltraPlus FQROMF Reverse Osmosis The GE UltraPlus FQROMF Reverse Osmosis System Membrane removes:System Membrane removes:99.9% of Asbestos99.9% of Asbestos96.0% of Arsenic96.0% of Arsenic99.2% of Barium99.2% of Barium98.4% of Cadmium98.4% of Cadmium96.8% of Chromium (VI)96.8% of Chromium (VI)99.3% of Chromium (III)99.3% of Chromium (III)98.8% of Copper98.8% of Copper99.99% of Cysts99.99% of Cysts98.5% of Lead98.5% of Lead99.37% of Particulates (Class I)99.37% of Particulates (Class I)96.98% of Chlorine96.98% of Chlorine94.1% of Selenium94.1% of Selenium92.0% of TDS92.0% of TDS99.8% of Turbidity99.8% of Turbidity88.7% of Bicarbonate88.7% of Bicarbonate72.0% of Chloride72.0% of Chloride99.3% of Magnesium99.3% of Magnesium80.9% of Nitrate80.9% of Nitrate80.9% of Nitrite80.9% of Nitrite75.0% of Sodium75.0% of Sodium98.2% of Sulfate98.2% of Sulfate92.1% of Tannin92.1% of Tannin96.0% of Zinc96.0% of Zinc

Using FiltersUsing Filters

You can filter:You can filter: Sediment onlySediment only -- IrrigationIrrigation Heavy metalsHeavy metals -- FlushFlush Reverse osmosisReverse osmosis -- Drink Drink Flush systems save drinking waterFlush systems save drinking water Drinking water purification means you Drinking water purification means you

always have water in an emergencyalways have water in an emergency

Run Irrigation Run Irrigation from barrels to planter from barrels to planter

boxesboxes

Run Drip Irrigation Run Drip Irrigation in Boxesin Boxes

Urban Box FarmingUrban Box Farming

The Square Foot MethodThe Square Foot Method

In a 4’x4’ area you can grow enough food In a 4’x4’ area you can grow enough food for one person for one yearfor one person for one year

By dividing your box into square feet you By dividing your box into square feet you can maximize productivitycan maximize productivity

Your crops will rotate in the box depleting Your crops will rotate in the box depleting your soil lessyour soil less

You maximize the variety of food you You maximize the variety of food you growgrow

Planting in BoxesPlanting in Boxes

Planting in boxes Planting in boxes allows you to:allows you to:

Control pestsControl pests Create the optimum Create the optimum

soil and drainage soil and drainage conditionsconditions

Control weedsControl weeds Makes it easier on Makes it easier on

your backyour back

Materials can vary …Materials can vary …

Compost Compost

Turn your Turn your lawn and leaf debrislawn and leaf debris and and food wastefood waste into soil into soil

Go to the Go to the dumpdump and get and get FREE compostFREE compost Organic farms and people with horses Organic farms and people with horses

give away give away organic wasteorganic waste Seaweed and fish gutsSeaweed and fish guts add nutrients add nutrients

and can be found on the fishing pier or at and can be found on the fishing pier or at the beachthe beach

Attach Plastic Liner to Attach Plastic Liner to Inside of BoxInside of Box

Layer yard waste and Layer yard waste and compost to fill boxescompost to fill boxes

Organic Waste, Compost, Organic Waste, Compost, Ashes Ashes

What is Easy to Grow?What is Easy to Grow?

TomatoesTomatoes Two beefsteak plants will Two beefsteak plants will

provide a lot of tomatoes for provide a lot of tomatoes for sandwiches, salads, and sandwiches, salads, and spaghetti sauces. One cherry spaghetti sauces. One cherry tomato plant will provide tomato plant will provide hundreds of little tomatoes for hundreds of little tomatoes for snacking and for salads. They snacking and for salads. They can be purchased at garden can be purchased at garden centers, nurseries, home centers, nurseries, home stores, and even some stores, and even some supermarkets.supermarkets.

Summer SquashSummer Squash A multitude of varieties exist, A multitude of varieties exist,

and all are easy to grow. and all are easy to grow. Options range from buttery Options range from buttery yellow varieties of squash and yellow varieties of squash and zucchini to the traditional zucchini to the traditional green zucchini. Remember, green zucchini. Remember, just plant a few – they’re very just plant a few – they’re very prolific. And, pick ‘em when prolific. And, pick ‘em when they’re small. Some zucchini they’re small. Some zucchini can grow to the size of can grow to the size of baseball bats, but they’re not baseball bats, but they’re not very tasty when they’re that very tasty when they’re that big.big.

..

More Easy-to-Grow FoodMore Easy-to-Grow Food

LettuceLettuce Leaf lettuce is easy to grow, Leaf lettuce is easy to grow,

especially early and late in especially early and late in the season. Some leaf lettuce the season. Some leaf lettuce will quickly bolt (get big and will quickly bolt (get big and produce seed) and get a little produce seed) and get a little bitter in the hot summer.bitter in the hot summer.

Bush BeansBush Beans Beans are easy to grow and Beans are easy to grow and

very nutritional. The large very nutritional. The large seeds are easy to handle.seeds are easy to handle.

SpinachSpinach Spinach is easy to grow, very Spinach is easy to grow, very

nutritious, and is somewhat nutritious, and is somewhat more heat tolerant than more heat tolerant than lettucelettuce

BeetsBeets This root crop is also easy to This root crop is also easy to

grow and good for you. grow and good for you. Beginners need to be Beginners need to be reminded that it is essential to reminded that it is essential to thin the young seedlings so thin the young seedlings so that the remaining plants that the remaining plants have enough room to have enough room to develop.develop.

Square Foot Planting Square Foot Planting MethodMethod

What can grow in a 4’x4’boxWhat can grow in a 4’x4’box

Lettuce Lettuce

6 carrots6 carrotsBeefsteak Beefsteak TomatoesTomatoes

Peas Peas

MarigoldsMarigolds

PeppersPeppers

Cherry Cherry tomatoestomatoes

LettuceLettuce

6 carrots6 carrotssweet sweet

pepperspeppersCarrots Carrots

RadishesRadishesGarlic Garlic

rosemary rosemary

LettuceLettuce

6 carrots6 carrots

3 Broccoli3 Broccoli

HerbsHerbs

SpinachSpinach

KaleKale

Onions Onions garlic garlic

cilantrocilantro

Lettuce Lettuce

6 carrots6 carrots3 Broccoli3 Broccoli

MarigoldsMarigolds

SpinachSpinach

GreensGreensMarigolds Marigolds

peaspeas

Supply Your Own FoodSupply Your Own Food

FertilizerFertilizer If your soil is very healthy, If your soil is very healthy,

it already contains most of it already contains most of the food that your plants the food that your plants will need. A well-balanced will need. A well-balanced organic fertilizer can be organic fertilizer can be added when you plant, and added when you plant, and throughout the season. throughout the season. Organic fertilizers break Organic fertilizers break down slowly, providing down slowly, providing your plants with a steady your plants with a steady nutrient source. Be very nutrient source. Be very careful if you use careful if you use commercial or chemical commercial or chemical fertilizers; it’s easy to fertilizers; it’s easy to overdo it. Too much overdo it. Too much chemical fertilizer will chemical fertilizer will actually kill your plants. actually kill your plants. This “overfeeding” is often This “overfeeding” is often called “burning” the called “burning” the plants*. plants*.

Of course, the best long-Of course, the best long-term solution for creating term solution for creating healthy, vital soil is to healthy, vital soil is to continuously add compost. continuously add compost. If you find that you really If you find that you really like the gardening hobby, like the gardening hobby, you’ll probably want to start you’ll probably want to start your own compost pile, if your own compost pile, if you haven’t already. you haven’t already.

*Many chemical weed killers *Many chemical weed killers work by over-stimulating work by over-stimulating plants so that they “grow plants so that they “grow themselves to death.”themselves to death.”

Weeds and BugsWeeds and Bugs If you garden, you’re going to encounter weeds If you garden, you’re going to encounter weeds

and bugs. The best treatment for weeds is and bugs. The best treatment for weeds is prevention, lots of mulch will significantly reduce prevention, lots of mulch will significantly reduce weed growth. Just be sure that your mulch doesn’t weed growth. Just be sure that your mulch doesn’t prevent water from penetrating into the soil.prevent water from penetrating into the soil.

The issue of bugs is more complex. Some bugs are The issue of bugs is more complex. Some bugs are good, some are bad. The best overall solution is to good, some are bad. The best overall solution is to spray a natural pesticide that will attack the bad spray a natural pesticide that will attack the bad bugs without killing the good bugs. My favorites bugs without killing the good bugs. My favorites are Pyola® and Bulls-Eye™; both are are Pyola® and Bulls-Eye™; both are environmentally responsible.environmentally responsible.

Olive oil, baking soda and chili powder are natural Olive oil, baking soda and chili powder are natural pest deterrents and can be sprayed on to prevent pest deterrents and can be sprayed on to prevent bugs and critters from being attracted to your bugs and critters from being attracted to your plants.plants.

Happy planting! Happy planting!

Need some more questions answered?Need some more questions answered? Need help with planning or building your Need help with planning or building your

system?system?

PLEASE CONTACT US:PLEASE CONTACT US:(561) 244-5365(561) 244-5365

www.huntermarks.orgwww.huntermarks.orgInfo.huntermarks@yahoo.comInfo.huntermarks@yahoo.com