Use a Rain Meter or Precipitation Gauge to Learn How to Measure Rain

With the price of water these days, it's really important to know how to measure rain in your yard. Why? Because you don't want to waste water and have higher water utility bills. You might also have your own private well. In this case, it's more about making sure that you always have enough water for your own private use and your gardening. If you've been through a drought, you know that this isn't always guaranteed.

I like to know how much rain fell on my garden, because then I know how much I have to water - either with my garden hose or copper watering can. I actually have several water barrels that I use to collect rain water from my roof.

As you can see from the above explanation, reading a water gauge or rain meter, can be confusing, so if the written explanation left you less than satisfied, please watch the Youtube video to the right. It's a wonderful less for children. It makes them realize that they will use their arithmetic reasoning skills well beyond their school years. It's also a wonderful lesson in water preservation.

If you don't live in a super-rainy climate then the Timex rain meter could be perfect for you. It's easy to install. Just stick it in the ground or attach it to a fence post. It can track 6 inches of rain. This precipitation gauge also has a magnified dial for easy reading. So if you're thinking of getting your weather-obsessed grandfather or father a gift, this easy-read rain meter would be perfect.

Get two rain gauges. Mount one on your fence to follow rainfall totals. Then stick one in the ground and use this to monitor just how much you've watered your lawn. I have to admit that I'm not much of a lawn waterer. Just the food that we eat.

This will be quite the conversation starter at your summer barbecues. You'll love explaining to friends and family how this beautiful rain meter works. It uses the Archimedean principle of water displacement. All this means is that as it rains and water fills up the copper tube, it pushes up the measurement tube. As the years go by, the rain gauge will develop a aged copper patina. This rain gauge is so attractive you won't feel the need to hide it in the back yard! Measures up to 6 inches of rainfall.