Easy rain barrel care

Is an odor coming from your rain barrels? Unused water can start to smell in mid- to late summer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put it to good use still.

Chunks of charcoal are sometimes used to filter the water that drips into an underground cistern. In the aquarium supply section at a local pet store, look for charcoal granules, below, sold as “activated carbon,” and add ½ cup to each of your barrels. In a few days, the scent will disappear, and you’ll be able to use the rest of the water without any trouble.