[Ohiogirl]

I went to my rain barrel seminar in Ohio, watched an installation, and ordered 1 60 gal rain barrel for my Ohio backyard. Once it's set up, assuming it works well, I plan to order at least one other for my CYV backyard. You can set up 2 with a linking hose at one downspout also. According to the rain barrel guru, drip hoses with automatic battery timers are readily available at Home Depot or Lowe's. The barrel I ordered has 2 spigots - on the lower one I will put a y-shaped adapter for 2 timed drip hoses. Water is automatically diverted back to the downspout after the barrel is full, and one good rain will more than fill one barrel.

This should work for the planting beds in the CYV backyard. I am also going to attend the water workshop that I understand is happening in The Villages on April 22nd (need to check the date), and ask more questions specific to Florida. Once it's set up it should be fairly maintenance free, or at least that's my hope.

Will update again once I get it setup in Ohio and again in the fall if I decide to put one in the CYV, which I fully expect to do. They are covered and said that mosquitoes are not a problem. Best way to control algae is to add goldfish! In Ohio they need to be drained and stored for the winter, but shouldn't need to be in Florida.