Water barrels save redistributable runoff water  – From Zelpha A. Boyd

Collecting water from the roof of one’s home into barrels seems like a good idea. That water is a real help in transplanting, setting out new plants, or in watering house plants. Rain water is much better for plants than the chlorinated city tap water. And saving water that would otherwise be wasted is a worthwhile venture — making use of that precious resource as well as saving dollars.
A few years ago, I had rain gutters and barrels installed at my home. I ran a hose from one barrel to the greenhouse, where a soaker hose distributes the water. This works very well. By putting extra holes in that flat, plastic soaker hose, it eliminates the need to water as often. From the other barrel on the north side of the house, I connected a soaker hose and laid it down by the Hostas (they need lot of water). That didn’t work too well because there was not enough pressure in the barrel of water to force water out of that hose. I couldn’t figure out how to puncture that hose to allow the water to get out.
As it’s turned out, I feel this system is like the government, gathering all those resources in one place then re-distributing it to another. This spring I had the gutter and barrel removed from the north side of the house. Now, rain water pours down from the roof right where it’s needed — on the Hostas! Makes more sense to me.
Would I do the gutter, rain barrel thing again? My answer is no. Aside from the obvious benefits, in my case, allowing the water to simply flow where it will seems far more efficient.
When considering if this is the right move for your garden, I advise doing some homework. Ask those who have such a system. Does it work effectively? Are the benefits worth the cost? Decide where and how the water will be used. Conserving water and other natural resources — and using them efficiently — is most certainly worth considering. •