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Hi again from Lou Manfredini, Ace’s “Helpful Hardware Man.” Rain barrels are a great way to conserve water and help you save some money as well and the installation is pretty easy.

There are several different types of rain barrels to choose from. My favorites are the ones made from recycled materials, such as ones that are repurposed olive barrels from Greece and Italy. But if you are looking for a more polished look, you can choose decorative ones that work just as well. Once you decide on a barrel you’ll need to cut one of your downspouts with a hacksaw and metal blade so the water from the roof will begin draining into the barrel. Many of these barrels have connections on them for your garden hose to allow you to water your garden. There is not enough pressure sadly to run a sprinkler effectively but a watering wand will work if the barrel is full.

Be sure to choose a rain barrel that has a screen on the top which serves to keep mosquito’s from laying eggs in the water and make sure you do not remove that screen for very long.

About the Author

Lou Manfredini is a nationally recognized DIY expert, sought after both for his expertise and his energetic, entertaining style. In an extension of his ongoing effort to help people maximize the value and enjoyment of their homes, he is also Ace Hardware’s “Helpful Hardware Man” and editorial media spokesperson. Along with his wife and four children, Manfredini lives in Chicago, where they also own and operate a neighborhood Ace Hardware store.

Hi there. This is Lou Manfredini, Ace’s “Helpful Hardware Man.” Composting is a great way to reduce what heads to the landfill and also the amount of fertilizer you need to buy for your garden. You can turn just about any table scraps or cooking leftovers into compost, but remember not to add in any meat products (it will make your compost stink and could attract rodents!).

I am a fan of the rotating bin style of composter, which resembles a barrel on a stand.  You open the lid and insert your scraps and then rotate it to help it all meld together.  Banana peels, coffee grounds, and leftover cereal — all make a great foundation for your new super fertilizer.  After about a month you can open up your composter and dump the contents into a wheelbarrow or buckets.  Use this in your vegetable garden or flower garden and mix in with the top 4-6” of soil.  There will be an odor for about a day or so but once you water it and give it some time your plants will be smiling. It’s a great way to save green by going green!

About the Author

Lou Manfredini is a nationally recognized DIY expert, sought after both for his expertise and his energetic, entertaining style. In an extension of his ongoing effort to help people maximize the value and enjoyment of their homes, he is also Ace Hardware’s “Helpful Hardware Man” and editorial media spokesperson. Along with his wife and four children, Manfredini lives in Chicago, where they also own and operate a neighborhood Ace Hardware store.