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Date Posted

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

WEll here in colorado if we continue to have dry weather, and our snow pack level goes down. Chances are we will have water restrictions.

So do some of u have some suggestions on how to produce big fruit under water restrictions. I figure its best to ask now and can start planning before i plant.

3/12/2009 4:28:38 PM

Columbus,ohio

I heard this was illegal there to maybe but can't you put it in tanks?

3/12/2009 4:33:10 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

Yep peep we in the state of colorado can not collect rain water, against the state law. True

3/12/2009 5:41:04 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Your snowpack sure looks good to me...

ftp://ftp.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/support/water/westwide/snowpack/wy2009/snow0903.gif

3/12/2009 6:31:52 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

How about collecting your Grey Water?

3/12/2009 7:00:17 PM

Eugene,OR

Grow fewer plants and do a better job with the ones you grow. That's my plan.

3/12/2009 8:23:54 PM

Colorado

really? illegal? I have been collecting my rain water for years. no plans to stop, lol. what's more important than giant pumpkins?

3/12/2009 8:54:06 PM

Elmira, N,Y,

dig a well, dig a pond, or use yor neighbor's water
spicket

3/12/2009 9:48:22 PM

Colorado Springs.Co

How submissive can we get? Letting government tell us we can't collect rain water? Who gave them ownership of precipitation. I hope the holdouts are getting the picture.

3/13/2009 12:01:08 AM

Puyallup, WA

Most likely a neighbor would have to "turn you in" for a government agent to come to your residence to check if you are compliant with the Law. Most likely you would receive a "Warning" on the initial visit.

3/13/2009 12:06:54 AM

Colorado Springs.Co

I would warn them they are on private property.

3/13/2009 12:17:10 AM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

A light mulch might help hold some water in the soil. Just don't make it thick enough to attract mice or fungus. If you do water, do so in the evening so it can soak in before it evaporates. I know some people say don't water in the evening but yours may be a special case. As long as you don't over do it you should not have any fungus or mildew problems. My plants are usually soaked with heavy dew from sunset to sunrise every night and I have very litle mildew problems.

3/13/2009 9:37:41 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Yes, mulch is a very good strategy.

I also can't believe that it's illegal to collect rain water. Around here, the buzz is that they want homeowners to prevent water flowing off their property and running down the drains and ditches! Give me a break! What is the terrible disaster "du jour"?

3/13/2009 12:38:57 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Here in Idaho, we sometimes don't get ANY measurable precipitation from May to September. Fortunately the mountains are full, and this year so are the reservoirs. I like to go here to monitor things:

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/burtea.cfm

I can waste a lot of time going through all the data. If you're in the west, you might be able to find a similar database for your region.

The water for my outdoor use comes down the irrigation canals. At the moment, I think we're healthier now than we have been in at any time in the last five years or so that I've been monitoring it.

Meanwhile, if you actually do get enough rain to worry about collecting it, I'd become a conscientious objector and just go for it.

3/13/2009 12:55:39 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Sounds like your local bureaucrats haven't been keeping up with the latest ways to raise local taxes by creating a "stormwater runoff district". Count your blessings!

Here is another one that might help.

http://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Stormwater-Runoff-at-Your-Home

In your area, you might be able to "use it as it falls." No real collection needed. I remember a Joel Holland video from some time ago, interviewing Fred Calai. Fred had essentially a swimming pool next to his barn, and that would collect all the water he needed, and it was GOOD water, free from chemical additives. But it worked for Fred because in Ohio they might get 8 inches of rain in a day. Where I live, we get 12 inches a year. Much of that evaporates before getting into the soil.

3/13/2009 1:17:28 PM

Colorado Springs.Co

We Have a stormwater tax in Colorado Springs. The larger the lot the more you pay. Another assault on small businesses.

Government is not responsible for rain, It is not a service they provide the taxpayer. If I want to reap the benefits of nature I will. Why is it that if they can't control something they make it illegal. Collect rainwater and relax.

3/13/2009 3:24:51 PM

Midway, UT

I'm not too worried. Our snow pack is normal even though Denver metro area has been dry.

3/13/2009 7:50:16 PM