"Jennifer" wrote in message
...
Hello everyone...

First time posting here, but not new to usenet.

I live in Southern California, and while rainfall is rare, it does happen
(today for example).

For a number of reasons, I'd like to install a rain barrel. I've started
to look at them online and I'd love some insight from any of you that have
one.

I want to find a flat backed version, as my downspout is on my driveway
and I want to minmize footprint.

Thanks in advance!

Jennifer


Gonna piggyback, if you don't mind, Jennifer.

My front yard was nonexistent until this year. Front elevation is severely
sloped naturally away from the house. Using topsoil, I managed to decrease
the slope somewhat, and has Bermuda grass growing on it now. I had to
install rain gutters in front of the house as the rainwater off the roof was
severely eroding the new soil. The downspouts are at each front corner of
the house. Downspout is standard 10' section. One terminates about 4' and
the other about 5' above the ground. Got one of those rollout thingies to
convey the water the rest of the way to the ground. Both eventually fell
off the gutter downspouts. The soil erosion just below the downspout is
awful. Hasn't rained here for awhile. So, all is hunky-dory below the
downspouts for now.

Live in same region as Jangchub. We have our severe rains, and our
droughts. Not any regular rainfall per se. When it rains, it usually
pours. Was thinking of using rainbarrels on both corners at the front of
the house. I know I'll need a pad of sorts, and have to work the ground to
get it level for a pad. I do have many spare cinder blocks. Are there any
specific parts needs like adapters from the downspout to a pipe that fits to
the rainbarrel? Or, do you run the downspout directly inside the
rainbarrel? A spigot kit for the rainbarrel?

A related problem due to the slope from the house. The fertilizer I
introduced to the front yard has somewhat washed to the gravel driveway in
front of the house. Last application of Roundup was good for 2 months on
the gravel driveway. Weeds are coming up again.

On a happy note, my daughter, 2 grandsons, and I planted some St. Augustine
plugs about 2 years ago. Area is under canopy of Live Oak and Juniper Ashe
trees. My bets would not grow due to the Juniper Ashe. I was wrong. All
the rain this year was very beneficial. The area is almost covered in St.
Augustine.
Dave