Rainwater reserves

"Waste not--want not" is the byword of French gardening. In keeping with this philosophy, virtually every country place has a barrel, tank, or cistern to catch rainwater runoff from the roof of each and every building.

Why bother, when nowadays watering is as simple as turning a spigot? The first reason is so obvious to the French gardener that it's barely worth mentioning: rainwater is free. But it's not only free of cost, it's also free of contaminants, chlorine (which is toxic to plants), and the minerals that make water "hard". Rainwater is soft water, which is why some of us may remember our grandmothers recommending rinsing your hair with rainwater.

The minerals are eventual anathema to acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons, because they slowly but inexorably raise your soil's pH. pH levels of neutral or higher cause iron chlorosis and general failure to thrive in these sensitive plants, as anyone who has tried to grow them in calcareous areas of the country knows. The leaves turn first pale green and then yellow between the veins.

Chlorosis is literally a sign of "iron-poor blood" in plants. Chlorophyll--a molecule amazingly analagous to hemoglobin--has an iron atom at its heart. In alkaline soils, acid-loving plants are unable to absorb iron from the soil, even though the iron is likely present.

Saving rainwater to water your ericaceous plants and other acid-lovers will make your battle against soil alkalinity that much easier to win. Another advantage of rainwater is that it has a chance to come to ambient temperature. Tender seedlings especially appreciate water of a moderate temperature. Rainwater is also just the ticket for making manure tea and other therapeutic infusions for your plants.

Stocking rainwater is as easy as positioning a barrel, drum, or other receptacle under a downspout. Old whiskey or wine barrels are not only picturesque but work, of course, as long as they are kept wet. If allowed to dry out, the slats will shrink and buckle. Large plastic trash cans or drums can also be used, but need to be put on an out-of-sight corner of your house or other building, as they're not attractive. Of course, the corner of the building nearest the garden is the most convenient. Caution: Never use barrels or drums that formerly contained hazardous or otherwise doubtful materials. If in doubt, don't use it.

If your barrel has a spigot, so much the better. In that case, it's worth your while to build a stand for your rainbarrel to get it high enough off the ground so you can get a watering can under the spigot. If not, just dip into the barrel. Keep a screen over it to prevent mosquitos from laying their eggs in the water.

Of course, using rainwater for watering your garden means using a watering can, unless you have a very large-scale and sophisticated system of trapping, holding, and delivering the rainwater. But using a watering can isn't as Luddite as it sounds. You'd be amazed at the extent to which French country gardens are still watered with them. Besides, nothing is as evocative of gardening as a handsome watering can, which will do double duty as garden ornament when not in use.

Watering cans don't kink or inadvertently wet your clothes like hoses. Their gentle stream doesn't splatter disease spores all over neighboring plants. Using a watering can is not only good exercise, but it's among life's most calming and meditative activities. While you're tipping that can is the perfect moment to examine not only the health of your plants but to reflect on your inner landscape as well.

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Products of Interest:
Artisan watering can--Zinc and brass
Artisan watering can--Perigord copper
French galvanized watering can--3.5 gal.
French galvanized watering can--2.7 gal.