DATE: July 02, 2009

CONTACT: George Dickert, 864-596-2993, ext. 117
gdicker@clemson.edu

WRITER: Debbie Dalhouse, 864-656-6737
ddalhou@clemson.edu

Build your own rain barrel (and take it home)

SPARTANBURG — Build your own rain barrel at a Clemson Extension workshop for homeowners and master gardeners on Friday, July 17.

The workshop is limited to 25 people and will be from 10 a.m. tol 3 p.m. at the Clemson Extension office at 142 Dean St. in Spartanburg. The cost is $65 and includes lunch. Commercial rain barrels typically sell for about $100.

Participants will learn about stormwater and rainwater harvesting, then will construct a rain barrel to take home.  

Rain barrels utilize an age-old concept of capturing rainwater to irrigate gardens and lawns. Last year’s drought and excessive heat, particularly in the Upstate, underscored the importance of water conservation and use.

Half a typical homeowners’ water usage is outside the home, so rain barrels not only conserve water but save money.  

The deadline to register is July 13 and payment is required in advance. Call the Spartanburg County office of Clemson Extension at 864-596-2993, ext. 0, or e-mail gdicker@clemson.edu. This workshop is sponsored by Spartanburg County Stormwater and Carolina Clear, a stormwater education program of the Clemson University Restoration Institute.

On the Web
To learn more about stormwater pollution prevention, visit the Carolina Clear Web site at www.clemson.edu/carolinaclear/.

For Clemson extension, visit www.clemson.edu/extension/county/spartanburg/.