Repurpose broken garden fountains to collect gutter rain water. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Saving Rain Water

California gardening friends have been sharing their challenges of living through an extended drought. As our climate continues to rapidly change, temperatures in the Midwest will increase leaving longer springs and falls and shorter winters and summers. Less water is also part of the projections so whatever we can do to retain rain water is a good idea.

Besides water totes hooked up to my rain gutter system, I also use a repurposed garden fountain under a rain gutter at the front of my house..

Make sure to place the center hole where water can enter. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

This plastic container has channelled rain water into the holding container for many years. Rain fills up the top piece and, once full, water spills into the container through the center opening.

The old garden pump looks pretty at the house corner and is a handy water source for plants that live on the porch during the growing season.

Last year, the main container sprung a leak so I shopped for a liner. Frankly it wasn’t easy to find until I saw this plastic container.