Information on Rain Gauges
Did it rain enough? Should I water the garden? That depends partly on soil, plants, temperature and other factors, but measuring rainfall is key. Your gauge may be just an open container, giving a useful approximation, or a network of automatic instruments providing high accuracy. Does this Spark an idea?
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Types
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Simple gauges are bottles, marked to let you compare water levels. To make differences easy to see, rain is usually collected in a wider funnel, so a half-inch of rain, for example, raises water in the gauge an inch. Other gauges measure water level electrically and report wirelessly to an indoor display.
Accuracy
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The home garden probably doesn't need great accuracy. The difference between half and three-quarters of an inch of rain may matter little. Commercial growers can find rain gauges that easily measure a millimeter or less.
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Placement
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The rain gauge should be well clear of branches or eaves, and away from gusty wind. In a wireless system, it could be on a roof.
Shopping
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Look in hardware stores and nurseries for simple and inexpensive rain gauges. You can find an inexpensive wireless system with an indoor display for as little as $30. Gauges are widely available online.
Make Your Own
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You can make a rain gauge yourself using a clear container with a short ruler attached or other like objects found around your home. You can also start with a very inexpensive gauge and add a structure and your own decoration.
Appearance
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Rain gauges may look like almost anything: frogs, flowers, bunnies, elves. They can be serious and scientific-looking or entertainingly decorative.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of John Morgan
