How to Soak Up Rain Like a Sponge! – a teaching demonstration
Rainwater harvesting in tanks vs water harvesting in the living sponge of rain gardens — there are pros and cons to both.
See a simple rain harvesting model showing how to turn a draining household and landscape into one that captures and reinvests water, bringing many benefits. Learn how this method can save money and conserve water, all while increasing soil fertility. This easy method provides a practical approach to sustainable living.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
1:12 Harvesting rainwater from roof in tanks – via the demonstration model
2:01 The two 1,000-gallon rainwater tanks I use to provide 95% of my domestic water needs
2:15 How to harvest the rain falling on the landscape
2:34 The living sponge
2:53 Harvesting rainwater with tanks AND the living sponge – via the demonstration model
3:28 Comparing amount of water harvested by tanks to amount of water harvested by the living sponge
4:39 Take home message
5:13 How to access the water harvested in the soil/living sponge
5:44 Before and After photos – before and after the planting of the rain with rain gardens and their living sponge
5:52 The compound interest of resources generated by the planting/harvesting of rain within the living sponge
6:15 How planting the rain within the soil and its living sponge helps recharge our groundwater, springs, creeks, and rivers
6:45 Key to also create a water-harvesting topography in you landscape
7:05 More resources
Big thanks to Kent Sorensen for creating and sharing the original sponge model demonstration!
SIZE YOUR RAINWATER TANKS IN RELATIONSHIP TO THEIR CATCHMENT SURFACE
to maximize performance and lower your overall costs.
See my book “Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Volume 1, 3rd Edition” and its water-harvesting calculations appendix.
https://www.harvestingrainwater.com/product/rainwater-harvesting-for-drylands-and-beyond-volume-1-3rd-edition-new-2019/
DESIGN YOUR PLANTINGS, SO ALL THEIR WATER NEEDS ARE PROVIDED BY FREE ON-SITE WATERS (rain, stormwater runoff, greywater, air conditioning condensate, etc):
My books give you all the info – start with Volume 1
https://www.harvestingrainwater.com/shop/
Illustrations in the video are from my books!
FREE WATER-HARVESTING RESOURCES:
https://www.harvestingrainwater.com/
FOR INFO ON OUR NEIGHBORHOOD RAIN-IRRIGATED NATIVE FOOD FORESTRY see:
https://dunbarspringneighborhoodforesters.org/
BRAD’S SOCIAL MEDIA
https://www.harvestingrainwater.com/media/social-media/
LIKE THIS VIDEO AND SUBSCRIBE
http://www.youtube.com/user/HarvestingRainwater?sub_confirmation=1
See the new, full-color, revised editions of Brad’s award-winning books
– available a deep discount, direct from Brad:
Volume 1
