water for gardens

**A* <g*@earthlink.net>**

 Lynn M. Gregor wrote:
 We have a plan for rain barrels but there is no downspout nearby to
collect from could be problematic because West Nile Virus from mosquitoes
is a big concern around here.

Find a downspout to connect to and use the rain barrels -- rainwater is a
LOT better than treated water for your plants (I don't know why, but our
experience is that the plants like the rainwater better. Of course, you're
going to need the metered water, too, but while you're putting all those
pieces together, you can at least get SOME water and when it rains, if
folks use the rain water, it will save on your metered bill, too.
As for West Nile, you can either put Bt mosquito dunks in the barrels (can
get pricey, but works) or put about an inch of veggie oil (I buy as cheap
as possible) at the top of each barrel every couple of weeks. The veggie
oil keeps oxygen from getting into the water, so the mosquito larvae all
suffocate! Dr. Benjamin Rush suggested this remedy to Philadelphia in the
19th century during the Yellow Fever Epidemic and it still works! And it's
cheap!

Dorene Pasekoff, Coordinator
St. John's United Church of Christ Organic Community Garden
A mission of
St. John's United Church of Christ, 315 Gay Street, Phoenixville, PA  19460

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