P’lovers the Environmental Store (Port Perry)

 After such a long, snowy, and blustery winter, it is a real delight to enjoy a rainy spring day, as cool and blustery as this one is.  On our walk to school this morning, I couldn’t help but notice our long dormant garden beginning to awaken - hyacinths and crocus adding early colour; tulips and tiger lilies tentatively raising themselves out of the cool, brown soil.

I will never be mistaken for an award winning gardener, however, it is a pastime I have thoroughly enjoyed since we moved from our concrete highrise almost eight years ago.  Every spring is full of surprises as I struggle to remember which of my incredibly forgiving perenials were divided last fall and where I put them. (A garden plan is such a good idea!  One of these days…)  

With the melting snow and abundant April showers, it is so easy to forget the drought of last summer - weeks without rain and the rock hard clay that dominates my yard. 

One of my goals this spring is to install a second rain barrel for exactly this purpose.  My parents introduced me to the wonders of a rain barrel when we first bought our house (I didn’t find I had much use for one when we lived on the 29th floor at Yonge & Steeles!) and I have been a rabid fan of it every since.  Our no-frills variety (purchased in our pre-P’lovers days) captures rain water from our downspout, allowing me to ignore the garden hose when it’s time to give my thirsty gardens a drink. 

Not only is it a water conservation tool, it also saves money.  Why pay to use hard, treated, municipal water when soft rainwater falls from the sky for free! 

A true sign of spring at P’lovers is the return of the rain barrels and we continue to offer what are arguably the finest rain barrel you will find anywhere.  Why is it better than the one I have in my backyard (and those you can buy at some mass merchandise stores)?  I can think of several really good reasons. 

The P’lovers rain barrel:

• is made from a recycled, food grade olive barrel (good for the environment; think creative recycling!)
• has a child-proof screwtop lid that cannot be accidentally removed or blown-off (good for safety)
• has a double-mesh screen on the lid (good for public health; bad for mosquitos)
• has a high-quality brass hose fitting (which makes it far easier to use)
• is considerably larger (190 - 230L) and in the heat of the summer, bigger is most definitely better!

My bias is obvious, however, regardless of the rain barrel you choose, the planet, your garden, and your wallet will thank you!

-Steve 

++
P’lovers Rain Barrel Spring Special
Pre-order a P’lovers Rain Barrel before Wednesday, April 30, 2008, and receive a $20 instant rebate.  Special Price $79.95 (reg. $99.95)  Rain Barrels purchased before the deadline will be delivered to the store for customer pick-up by Wednesday, May 14th - just in time for the first gardening long weekend of the season! If you have been considering a rain barrel, now is definitely the time!