[Ohiogirl]

I have a rain barrel here in Ohio (2nd year) and am bringing another back to TV this September. They have lids which solves the mosquito problem. In Ohio, we live in an old (61 years) home which has only one outside spigot - on the other side of the house from my little veggie patch and a cutting garden. Probably didn't raise it enough when installing, so the water pressure is poor.

I have a soaker hose attached and moved it up to the higher spigot (mine has 2, one at the bottom and one about midway up). Helped a little but seems to take forever to empty half the barrel thru the soaker hose.

I have found it easier to just remove the lid and dip a bucket or watering can and manually water. Still lots easier than dragging a long hose around the house or thru the porch. Plus, rainwater is better for plants.

I'm planning on raising it higher (maybe 2 concrete blocks) in TV and putting a splitter and 2 soaker hoses. In the winter, the grass really doesn't need watered much so I will probably turn off the rear sprinkler system and just use the soaker system, depending on rainfall.

Sumter County extension has a rainbarrel class (I think every month), so check that out. There's a discount on a rainbarrel, but I didn't like it as much as the one I'm bringing. Mine is prettier and also larger. Looks like a terra cotta colored plastic pot, just bigger with a lid.

I will be doing more soil amendment - this year, just added a bucket full garden soil (bought by the bag) for each tomato/pepper plant. My timing for planting was all off this year as we moved down in November, but I did plant in March. Left in early May for Ohio (brought some green tomatoes back to ripen) but came back in June and harvested some peppers and tomatoes, so even with neglect it satisfied my need to grow stuff. My neighbors and caretaker (and probably birds) are partaking with my blessing this summer.

Going back in early-mid Sept. this year and plan to plant then, after reading up again on Florida veggie gardening. Also easy to grow herbs. Am trying blueberries, but think I overwatered and only 1 survived. Need 2 varieties to cross-pollinate, so will be working on this.

Of course it's work, and of course you can buy veggies locally, but we gardeners understand it's the process, not the savings. Also nice to just go out and pick what you need for the day.