rain dance

on april 17, i attended a rain barrel workshop sponsored by cool moms care and the cumberland river compact.  it was $25 which seems like a lot for a 45 minute mini class but the price of the class included a rain barrel.  now if you have ever tried to buy one, you will understand completely why i couldn't sign up fast enough for that class!!!  i have seen them priced for $100 and up.  the added bonus here, these are used soda barrels from coca cola so not only did i get a cheap rain barrel, i also helped keep a large amount of plastic from going to a land fill or a recycling center.  the woman who gave the class explained to us that it is really harmful to streams and rivers if they get run off from our yards.  many people use chemicals in their landscapes that are poisonous.  then there all of the harmful chemicals that autos require such as oil, gasoline and anti-freeze that can also end up in the waterways.  to make a long story short, it is best for rain to stay close to where it falls, it allows the local water tables to refill and it eliminates some pollution from entering the waterways.  after the class, i managed to cram the barrel in the car and bring it home, then once again i had to be patient and wait for rain.  it was amazing how fast it filled up, literally in minutes during the first real down pour.  so now, we have it attached to a soaker hose and one flower bed is set.  we need more barrels!!!

check out the website, all of you nashvillians, the readymade barrels are available for delivery.

cumberlandrivercompact.org