RainSaucers have arrived here in Wichita but only at WICHITA RAIN BARRELS

After months of testing and doing some trial and error modifications the RainSaucer makes its debut. This is a great tool for any gardener that does not have access to a regualr water supply and needs to supplement what they have access to.  The placement of this RainSaucer was chosen because we had just put in a new vegetable guardian, the RainSaucer does not receive any water form our neighbors garage, it is a free standing water collection unit.

 This side picture shows that we have not attached the overflow hose yet, we did this to check its capacity, after it is placed we will go ahead and slip the overflow hose into it.

 Here is another side shot of the rainSaucer mounted to the Wichita Rain Barrel. One of the modifications we have done is attaching the cord from the RainSaucer to the Wichita Rain Barrel stand. This stabilizes the RainSaucer and keeps it in place during the wild winds we get here in Kansas.

Here you can see that we have also used the eye bolt to secure the rain barrel to the stand.

Click on the title and you will be redirected to their website. They have some great video on how the RainSaucer is being used around the world!

Whats a RAIN SAUCER?

About a year and half ago I was contacted by Tom Spargo, one of the inventors of the Rain Saucer. We started talking about some alternative options for collecting rain water other than using the standard roof from your home or shed. Tom and a few other people began experimenting with some designs and have now moved into the experimental phase of production of their Rain Saucer. The goal for Tom was to collect rain water for people living out in the world that have very limited access to it and that are dependent on it to survive. Here is the blog:   http://www.rainsaucers.com/blog.htm

Check it out! There hard work will be life changing for a lot of people around the world!

Are you needing something to do over the lunch hour?

Are you needing something to do over the lunch hour? Botanica has lunch time lectures AND Wichita Rain Barrels will be there tomorrow! We will talk about our history of how we got started and what we are doing now! It is sure to be a riveting lecture! We will also be offering a special deal for anyone in attendance!  Click on the link above to get to Botanica's website, check out what else is going on here in WICHITA.

Another Hydroponics set up!

Here is an email I received not to long ago from the hydroponics guy.

Hey Peter,
I just wanted to shoot you an email, my wife and I dropped by to say hello Sunday at the Garden Show (if you can remember, HA). I'm also the guy who wrote you all the DIY hydroponic stuff for your blog last summer. 

Well.. long story short, my wife and I started a little home gardening business.  We are selling tomato and pepper transplants,and an auto-watering gardening container (which is why I'm writing you).  It's similar in size and shape to the "earthbox", but it has something that the earthbox hasn't thought of yet - a TRUE auto-watering container, no manual refilling required.  You attach the container to a garden hose, either supplied by a rain barrel or wall spigot, and a valve in the container shuts the water off automatically when it's full.  It also has a couple PVC tubes that run horizontally through the soil compartment (with holes in them) that help to aerate the soil and reduce water logged soil.  With a splitter at the supply end, and a few extra garden hoses you could do up to 4 (maybe more?) containers on one supply (rain barrel). 

I think what you are doing is great, for the environment and the economy, and I'd like to work with you to create some synergy to help both of us out.  I was thinking about adding a link to each others pages, maybe special deals (example: if someone bought a container they'd receive a coupon for a barrel and vice versa), or a joint venture at a flea/farmers market. Please email me back at grow@happynessgardening.com and we can talk about some of the specifics.

Oh and if you want to check out our site it's www.happynessgardening.com.

Talk to you soon,
Joseph Nestelroad

WRB on KNSS Radio with Johnson's Garden Center

Johnson's Garden Center has graciously supported Wichita Rain Barrels from the beginning. Marty asked me to swing by so that we could chat about WRB and the 2010 Regional Conservation and Energy Fair.
Click on the Title and sit back and enjoy!

Wichita Rain Barrels for sale for $25.00 2 days only!

The City of Wichita and Wichita Rain Barrels have teamed up for a Rain Barrel EXTRAVAGANZA!
On January 22 and 23rd I will be selling my Wichita Rain Barrels for 25.00! For 25.00 you will get my standard white rain barrel with the gutter attachment and the regular overflow hose! This is a great deal for anyone that is even 1/2 way interested in gardening...........

Heres how it will work. On the 22nd and 23rd of January at the 2010 Regional Energy & Sustainability Conference I will have a booth set up. The city will be handing out vouchers. The public can come down and pick up a voucher swing by my booth, hand me 25.00 and set up a date for delivery and then when I deliver the Rain Barrel you will give me the voucher. It is as simple as that......

Remember this is for 2 days only