Collecting Rainwater for Your Small Space Garden

Posted on Oct 10 2011 - 2:09am by Mike Lieberman

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A rain barrel is something that would be great to have to be able to collect rainwater, but the reality is that it won’t work for those of us apartment gardening.

One reason is that since we are dealing with small spaces, so every little inch counts. Something as large as a rain barrel really isn’t practical.

That doesn’t mean that we can’t collect rainwater though.

The other day when I woke up, it was raining. It hit me that I could put some of the empty 5-gallon containers close to the edge of the balcony and harvest a bit of the rain water. It helped that the gutter is a bit busted and was overflowing at that spot.

It wasn’t a horrible rainstorm and lasted only a few hours, but during that time I was able to fully fill up two 5-gallon containers. Those will last me at least two weeks and will help to conserve some excess water usage as well.

Much like growing your own food, every little drop of conserved water matters.

What are some ways that you conserve water in your garden?

28 Comments so far. Feel free to join this conversation.

Baerbel Roemer October 10, 2011 at 4:32 pm -

I always try to collect rainwater, but the roof over my balcony makes it impossible. 🙁 But I always have a bucket in my shower. While I am waiting for the water to become hot – yes I am a wimp, can’t stand cold showers 😉 – I collect it in the bucket so I can use it later for my plants.
David Csonka October 10, 2011 at 6:09 pm -

Smart play. Doing something like this out in Colorado where it rarely rains would be absolutely necessary if individual water conservation is essential.

I was thinking about setting up a complex rain collection and watering system involving using angled bottles to collect rain as it blew in, and then have some drip irrigation lines to deliver it to my plants over the next couple of days. But it was just a little bit too expensive to do. I love coming up with over-complicated solutions! 😀

Do you know if there are any ordinances against collecting rain water in your area? With water-privatization on the increase, many places have made it illegal to collect rain. Insanity
David Csonka October 10, 2011 at 6:09 pm -

Smart play. Doing something like this out in Colorado where it rarely rains would be absolutely necessary if individual water conservation is essential.

I was thinking about setting up a complex rain collection and watering system involving using angled bottles to collect rain as it blew in, and then have some drip irrigation lines to deliver it to my plants over the next couple of days. But it was just a little bit too expensive to do. I love coming up with over-complicated solutions! 😀

Do you know if there are any ordinances against collecting rain water in your area? With water-privatization on the increase, many places have made it illegal to collect rain. Insanity
Violet Lin October 10, 2011 at 6:17 pm -

I now water by hand, one container at a time, instead of using the hose. I used to use the hose, then the lawn guys ran it over. Chopped to shreds. Oh well. Saving water now 🙂
Veganishmom October 10, 2011 at 6:26 pm -

That’s a good idea! I’m going to have to start doing this, too. I’m also a wimp :0)
Mike Lieberman October 10, 2011 at 8:20 pm -

I think that was their plan.
Mike Lieberman October 10, 2011 at 8:22 pm -

I’ve heard that and it’s f’n ridiculous. Haven’t looked into it and refuse to.

I’ve been toying with the idea of setting something up that can catch the rain water, then automatically water the containers. Overcomplicating just like you 😉
Mike Lieberman October 10, 2011 at 8:23 pm -

That’s a great idea. Used to do it in my old place.

You can also use that water to flush the toilet. If you pour it fast enough, it creates enough pressure to automatically flush it without using extra water.
Wkdeshrew October 11, 2011 at 2:36 pm -

most areas are concerned about mosquitoes so after a rain you need to cover the buckets
David Csonka October 11, 2011 at 2:38 pm -

Wow, great idea – I always hated wasting the water but it’s tough to handle the cold shower in the winter time. Now I just need some more buckets.
andrea October 11, 2011 at 4:40 pm -

I bought a couple clear drink dispensers that have the spigot at the front bottom area. I took the tops off and covered the area with a queen size pantyhose pulled over it. Rain went in, pantyhose keeps out mosquitoes and I have a nice spigot to easily fill my watercan. Works like a charm!
Mike Lieberman October 12, 2011 at 2:32 am -

Thanks for that tip.
Mike Lieberman October 12, 2011 at 2:32 am -

That’s dope!
MsFullroller October 19, 2011 at 7:34 pm -

That’s what I do…catch excess water from waiting for the shower water to warm up, the water from rising handwashed dishes and washing off fresh produce. I use that to flush the toilet, pouring it fast like you’ve stated. Much less water is used especially since I have an old 7 gallon toilet that’s still in good shape except for the flushing thing that won’t shut off the water once the tank is filled.

I told you about my rainwater catchment for my garden on your YouTube video. Keep up the great work here.
Tiffany October 21, 2011 at 2:06 pm -

Love this! We’ve been lucky enough to get a 500 gallon holding tank and pump for free, so we are re-routing our the sink from our biz kitchen to the tank outside. That water will go to irrigate our garden, I can’t wait to have it all finished!
Mike Lieberman October 21, 2011 at 4:59 pm -

That sounds dope!
Guest October 31, 2011 at 9:17 pm -

Just make sure it’s not the 1st rain, or 1st water as that can catch a lot of dirt and pollution

After it has rained for a while the water should be much cleaner

Sure I suppose it ends up in the ground anyways, but you are taking a roof which acts as a pollution concentrator, which then funnels into the gutter which is also a concentrator, and pouring that water into a container garden, which further concentrates the pollution as water evaporates…
Mike Lieberman November 1, 2011 at 8:45 am -

Yes. I wasn’t waiting for it to rain to catch the first rain. It was raining for a while.
Edward November 2, 2011 at 9:42 am -

I put out buckets to collect rain water too (But it never rains in Austin), but mulching with all the bags of dead of leaves my neighbors put out when they rake their yards helps to minimize evaporation.
Mike Lieberman November 2, 2011 at 11:19 am -

I really need to start mulching the containers. I’ve never done that…
luis tobon November 7, 2011 at 8:02 pm -

This is news to me. If it falls on my property and I want to collect it, what is wrong with that?
luis tobon November 7, 2011 at 8:05 pm -

My wife and I have only been in our home for 2 years and we are planning on putting in new rain gutters for water collection. There is a drip system in and that works great at helping water.
David Csonka November 7, 2011 at 8:12 pm -

Collecting it prevents it from heading to run off or percolating down into the aquifer. It’s more of an issue in arid places I think.
Chhandab December 1, 2011 at 7:31 pm -

Wow, great to see I am not the only one who does this. I thought I was the only nut trying to save water this way. Thanks.
Jodi Brown February 28, 2012 at 6:46 pm -

Is there anything organic you can put in the water to deter mosquitoes? I live in New Orleans and still uncovered water = mosquito breeding ground and highly frowned upon.
Mike Lieberman February 29, 2012 at 7:56 am -

Hm, I know there are things you can put in the water, but not sure on how “organic” they are. Look up mosquito dunk and you should find something.
Niteflyrwoman July 24, 2012 at 9:00 am -

I already do this:)
Marrissay July 31, 2012 at 6:37 am -

Place netting over your barrel, held with elastic rope. They won’t be able to reach the water.