storing water

[pattys214garden]

hey you`ll - i have 2 rain barrels under my rain gutters with the last rain they were filled - so today i went and bought a 275 gal. tank .. i emptied the barrels into the bigger tank - so my barrels are now reADY FOR THE NEXT RAIN.. WITH COLD WEATHER COMING [ probably later here than most places ] can i leave the water in the tank for next year`s garden - someone said make sure it is not full and only have 3/4 full - something to do with freezing and expansion - i live in PINEBLUFF N.C.

[Danaus29]

I don't know about your location but here the tank would freeze solid and probably break.

[COWS]

You must have moved there recently from a dry state. I live in SC but the climate is similar with regard to rainfall. It is not necessary to start saving water now for next years garden. If you want to save water for next year you will have opportunity next spring after the last hard freeze, probably in late Feb. Sometimes it's rainy during the growing season and there is no need to save water. Sometimes it's very dry and you would need more than the 375 gallon capacity you mention. Good luck.
Oh, average yearly rainfall is in the low 40s inches per year.

COWS

[pattys214garden]

i don`t think i`ll use up what i have so i think i`ll keep the water and it is just for my raised beds [ veggies ] and maybe some plants

[ClubMike]

Is your large 275 gallon tank clear? If it is water will not store well. I have used 275 gallon containers in sw Mo for a few years, I keep water in them (almost full) year round. Sure it freezes in the winter however, no leakage come spring. I used heavy black plastic and wrapped the container and then stuck it back inside the cage it came with and all is well. I did open one up and it just had a little ice on top.

[pattys214garden]

yes i have clear tank - i can see the level from my deck - someone said to leave 3/4 water in for winter something to do with freezing and expansion -[ was never anygood at science class ] like i said i live in PINBLUFF N.C. so it is a little warmer than LONG ISLAND N.Y. - just wanna keep the water over winter in case i cAN`T GET WATER WHEN I AM PLANTING NEXT YRS. GARDEN

[wogglebug]

A ½" rainfall (on a VERY small house roof by today's standards) will about give you enough water to fill your storage from dry. Heck, you'd go close to doing one tenth of the job from a night's dew, not to mention what the garden has already got.

[NELSELGNE]

Translucent containers may allow algae growth.

[ClubMike]

That is why I wrapped my mine up like a xmas package. No light for my stored water. Eventually I will have this hooked up to the gutters. I have stored water in this setup all winter long with just a little ice on top.