Plant The Rain! Rainwater Harvesting Saves Money and Water

Brad Lancaster has a lot to say about water. In his books, Lancaster writes about the importance of “planting the rain” and shares with readers the many benefits they receive when they learn how to keep their rainwater on site.

Lancaster is now on tour prompting the newly published 2nd edition of his book Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands, Volume 1: Turning Water Scarcity Into Water Abundance.

In urban environments most rainwater falls onto impervious surfaces. The water runs off quickly, carrying litter and pollutants with it as it flows directly into creeks, rivers and oceans. Why not use this free resource to water your garden or lawn?

The benefits of harvesting rain are many. Rainwater falls from the sky for free. Rainwater doesn’t contain salt and is a natural fertilizer that’s great for plants. When you harvest rain, you help reduce flooding and surface runoff. Keeping your rain in your garden or yard can reduce your water bill.  If you live in an area with little rain, don’t despair. Lancaster harvests over 100,000 gallons yearly (379,000 liters) of rain and runoff in the soil of his 1/8-acre home in Tuscon, AZ.  (12″ or 305 mm of average annual rainfall per year.)

To learn more from Brad Lancaster about rainwater harvesting, watersheds and how to make a water level visit the Sustainable World Channel on YouTube.