Rain Barrels Full of City Water

My two rain barrels, being relatively translucent, allow sunlight to feed the growth of algae over time. Both barrels were coated with green algae on the inside and needed cleaning, which I accomplished this morning. Checking the 10-day forecast, we're not due for any rain in the near future, and I need chemical-free water for my plants, so I filled the barrels with Union County's best, then set my aerators to work to bubble out the chlorine and other gases in the city water so I can use it tomorrow. Would the gas have evaporated out on its own? In due course, yes. But it's way more fun to hook up the pump and create 110 gallons of roiling turbulence. All I need to go in these modern brew-pots is some . . .

Eye of newt, and toe of frog,

Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,

Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,

Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing . . .

(Macbeth)

to make the Bard proud.

Clean barrels, clean water! I was so hot after this exercise that I felt like stripping down and sitting neck deep in one of the barrels. You have to admit it looks inviting.

Spinach coming up in the planter:

I had a great idea today for a new outdoor container growing system that I hope to debut in a couple of weeks -- stay tuned!