Greenhouse Guttering

Hi Larkshall,

A good example of the cost effectiveness of trying to do our little bit to save water. A wise choice :gnthb:. There is also the fact that when it rains a lot you still won't be able to save more than your water butts hold so the effectiveness of the larger gutters will be limited.

Yes, I know there are some of you that will say there are other considerations - like conservation of water etc - but we also need to be practical. (Sorry about the cynicism but I have some experience of the lack of interest in water conservancy by the water companies because of short term planning.)

I have three 50 gallon water butts and they are of some use but only to a limited amount. The time that they are needed most is when the plants in the greenhouse and on the patio in pots and hanging baskets etc are in full growth - and that is generally the time we don't have any rain.

At the start of this hot and dry spell our butts lasted less than a week :(. They have remained dry for two months now and still no sign of rain. The time of the year that the butts always get full and overflow are usually when we have a lot less (or no) need for the water.

I know that some people on here have done a wonderful job of installing superb underground (or above ground) water storage facilities and I think that is fantastic :gnthb: but this is not possible for most on basis of lack of space, finance or physical ability - I'm the last one :hehe:.

 

I understand what you are saying Larkshall, here's my experience.

A few years back I 'invested' in a couple of IBCs - they are hold 1000 litres each and catch the rain off my shed roof. Although I said 'invest' it will never pay back financially as 1000l of water costs about £1 in our area and the IBCs cost me about £35 each plus the guttering and the work needed to install them. The main reason was to be ready for the next hosepipe ban, my IBCs see me through most of the summer, they are half full right now even after all this hot weather and hardly any rain. Also I have water right where I need it, very handy to fill my watering cans - my veg patch is about 150ft from the nearest tap.

I recall telling my brother how pleased I was buying these IBCs for £35 each on ebay, but was dismayed when he said they have trouble getting rid of them in his business! So I could have had them for free if only I'd bothered asking him first :(