I got about 50+ gallons from 23' of gutter and .20" of rain

At the ratio of roughly a ¼" of rain for every 25' of rain gutter = 50 gallons ... I should get some big holding tanks. We get an average of 36" per year and that would amount to some serious water savings. The vast majority of rain fall is in the winter months, so summer usage is high on the district system.

Cheers, Barrie.

Where does one go about getting some barrells to collect rain water in??? I was thinking of doing this, but putting a tap at the bottom of the barrells and a screen over the entry to the barrel to keep the leaves etc. from gunking up the barrell!!!

Thoughts?

Good ideas! I would imagine any major hardware store would have them,for putting a valve at the bottom you would definitely want something a little thicker than a rubber t-can like I use. One other thing I may try is putting the first t-can a little higher so I can install a overflow tube and have another next to it(slightly lower)and fill both.My neighbors have taken it a little further and have their gutters connected so they mostly run into at least one very big(probably 500g)tank! so much better than using "city"water,even though it is only 5 cents per 20 gallons,roughly,there is a set monthly minimum charge of $25ish-I guess the whole point for me at least is,you can't beat rainwater!! 8)

We're in a rainshadow here too and don't get much.

I like that idea too Jim.

Some good pics here:
http://www.rainwaterconnection.com/products/rainwater_products.htm

Paul, many cities/communities/regional districts have programs where you can buy some of this stuff at a more reasonable price (to promote their use in the community). Stuff like composters, rain-collection plastic barrels with screen and bottom spout, etc. Maybe phone your city's environmental dept.

Barb

Hey Paul,

FYI, Costco is selling rain barrels for about $125.00.

$125.that better be a hell of a rain barrel ! What size are they? You can buy a rubber trash can for $10

OMG !! I can only wish my babies are still around in 30 years !! I planted 2 , they are Trachy/Butia I believe. I purchased them from a "grower" in South Jersey a year ago. This lady had been growing them from seed for quite a few years. I did the stakes with the burlap and the area filled with leaves, with a plastic cover that I would roll back on the best days . Removed protection little by little for a month and now they are out on there own !! No spear pull ever . I am new at this and I remember this is a bad sign (right?). I will post pictures in the next day or so . I think they are doing OK. Definetly more happy with the warmer sunshine and water (and a little epson salts).. Some brown/yellow on a few of the higher leaf tips , about 1/3 of the approx 12 " leaf. I wonder if I should trim the brown/yellow fronds off at the color change. I was told the trees are 4/5 years old before planting one year ago. Trimming would be a good cosmetic thing ,,, Would it harm or help my babies ? So far I have been advised by my "palm tree lady" to only trim the branches when they are completely brown/dead. Can any of you more experienced palm growers advise me ? I am on the coast of central NJ. they are on the east side of the house, gets sun from sun up til 12-1 o'clock. When it is gonna be real windy (nor easter) I have been putting a few heavy lawn chairs in front of them as a wind block. I think they look good for being under cover for months. I need some written advice and hopefully encouragement ! thank you all so much for your patience to a palm tree virgin !! I will get some photos tomorrow,

you can email me at gfish51@comast.net. ginger

these palm trees growing in my back yard are "my dream" !

Yay for your Trachy Barb! It's so beautiful. How does it like it's new home?
I just planted a 4 1/2 ft. Trachy yesterday (I replaced it with the little guy that didn't make it over winter 😥 ). Planting another one just like it next week. I also bought a Musa Basjoo and planted behind it up on our retaining wall. (I had a Musa in our front yard and with protection over winter it still flopped. It's just a wait-and-see now whether or not pups will come up).
Here's a pic (my 4 yr. old loves to help!)

Hope all is well in the OK!
Heidi

Ginger, welcome aboard. Looking forward to see your pictures.
Sounds like you've done everything as well as you could have, using good techniques. Well done!
Your palm lady gave you good advice...only cut the fronds when they're completely brown and dried.
Mine is also planted on the east, receiving sun until about noon.
Trachies don't like hot hot conditions and they look better in a less windy site. High winds really damage their leaves.
Morning sun should be perfect!

Heidi, sorry the little Trachy didn't make it...winter was so darn cold and long everywhere this year.
My trachy looks happy outdoors; waiting for some warm sunshine to give it a second heavy watering in its new soil.
Nice new Musa, and I bet that musa out front (that you covered so well) will shoot up some pups. Let us know.

Barb

OMG !! I can only wish my babies are still around in 30 years !! I planted 2 , they are Trachy/Butia I believe. I purchased them from a "grower" in South Jersey a year ago. This lady had been growing them from seed for quite a few years. I did the stakes with the burlap and the area filled with leaves, with a plastic cover that I would roll back on the best days . Removed protection little by little for a month and now they are out on there own !! No spear pull ever . I am new at this and I remember this is a bad sign (right?). I will post pictures in the next day or so . I think they are doing OK. Definetly more happy with the warmer sunshine and water (and a little epson salts).. Some brown/yellow on a few of the higher leaf tips , about 1/3 of the approx 12 " leaf. I wonder if I should trim the brown/yellow fronds off at the color change. I was told the trees are 4/5 years old before planting one year ago. Trimming would be a good cosmetic thing ,,, Would it harm or help my babies ? So far I have been advised by my "palm tree lady" to only trim the branches when they are completely brown/dead. Can any of you more experienced palm growers advise me ? I am on the coast of central NJ. they are on the east side of the house, gets sun from sun up til 12-1 o'clock. When it is gonna be real windy (nor easter) I have been putting a few heavy lawn chairs in front of them as a wind block. I think they look good for being under cover for months. I need some written advice and hopefully encouragement ! thank you all so much for your patience to a palm tree virgin !! I will get some photos tomorrow,

Never cut live tissue. It opens the plant up to pathogens and takes away the mobile nutrients from the plant (can move the nutrients from the oldest growth to the newer growth). Only cut dead and brown (don't touch yellow).

Have you tried any Sabal such as Sabal minor or Sabal sp. Birmingham or Rhapidophyllum hystrix? They are much hardier than Trachycarpus and Butia. My Sabal minor went through 4.9F and 7.8F with many days going into the teens without damage (no protection).

Welcome Ginger - I'm fairly new too. I hope you find this place as helpful as I have. My palms are "my dream" as well....since I was a kid. Never thought I'd have them in my backyard tho!

Barb, thank you for the great encouragement! how deep do you water your Trachy and how often?

Heidi

Heidi,
I'm going to have to get used to it being in the ground, with entirely different watering needs than previously in its huge pot.

Will just play it by ear once the ground warms.

Its roots will finally be able to stretch...it'll probably break into a song and dance routine. 😆 😆

Will just play it by ear once the ground warms.

Barb, it was a year ago today we had our freak snow fall (April 19, 2008). Short lived but man what a mess and so strange. I drove through downtown Nanaimo at 5 am with big fat snow flakes falling accompanied by thunder n' lightening!!!
Fortunately this year is not the same.
Best of luck with your Trachycarpus now in-ground.

Cheers, Barrie.

Yes, you're right, Barrie!

Here's the pic from that day.

We had damaged sprinklers because all the underground lines were already pressurized.
We'd been watering for a week already as it was warm and dry.

And then it hit.

Thanks for the Trachy wishes...it'll do fine.

Yours are all good I hope after this brutal winter? Hopefully you didn't lose any of your beautiful Trachies.

Barb