In order not to harm plants with ice water from a well, it is important to have at least two barrels on the site for irrigation. In addition, you can use them to collect rainwater – it is particularly soft and rich in nitrogen. However, an expert from the Zen channel “Volga Garden” warns: if you do not take care of the tanks, the water in them will quickly bloom, and mosquitoes above them will have a massive feast.
How to choose the right barrel
It is not necessary to spend a lot of money on expensive systems with filters and automatic watering. The cheapest plastic barrel will do. The main thing is that it meets three criteria:
- It was dark in color (in light barrels the water quickly turns into a slimy green swamp).
- It had a tap at the bottom so that you could connect a hose and draw water into a watering can.
- Sold with a lid that tightly covers the barrel.
Raise the empty barrel to a height of half a meter. For the “pedestal” you can use old bricks or concrete blocks.
How to avoid algal blooms
Just closing the lid is not enough. Press it tightly on top with plastic wrap or old linoleum. If light does not penetrate inside, then algae will not grow. Mosquitoes will also not be able to get inside the barrel to lay eggs.
Rinse the barrel thoroughly every season. Pour out the remaining water and rinse the walls with a weak chlorine solution (4 tablets per 10 liters of water) or laundry soap. Go over the walls with a stiff brush to get rid of mucus and silt.
If you plan to collect rainwater, it is recommended to clean the barrel before the first serious rainfall in May.
