Best Rain Barrels for Your Garden
The best way to water your plants naturally.
Droughts can ruin lawns and gardens, making it hard to keep plants and flowers alive and healthy. Having a rain barrel in your yard can not only give you a backup source of water but can also help cut down your monthly water usage. Keep reading to learn the many benefits of rain barrels and to find the best rain barrel to add to your yard.
What Is a Rain Barrel?
A rain barrel is a barrel made from plastic, metal, or wood. The barrel is placed outdoors to collect rainwater. This excess water can then be repurposed for different things like watering your garden or washing your car.
Reduce Water Usage: Rain barrels are a great alternative to using tap water and can ultimately reduce the amount of tap water that you need to use on a regular basis.
Use Natural Water: Tap water can contain things like salt, fluoride, or even chlorine. Natural rainwater is better for the plants in your garden and can help produce healthier and vibrant plants. When plants are healthier, they are better able to fight off diseases and withstand pests or droughts.
Water Plants in a Drought: If you find yourself in a summer drought, a rain barrel will give you access to excess water to help keep your plants looking healthy. It is a good idea for any yard because it gives you the ability to use water even if there is a water ban.
Reduce Pollution: Rain barrels help reduce pollution caused by water runoff. Water runoff from your roof may be contaminated by pesticides and fertilizer. If this polluted water then drains into a storm sewer, it may ultimately contaminate a body of water. But with rain barrels, the rain that runs off your roof is collected and repurposed for your garden.
Best Rain Barrel Capacity
Rain barrels come in a variety of sizes. The best rain barrel for your home will depend on where you live, how much rainfall you typically get, the size of your roof, and how much water you plan to use. Most homes use 50–74 gallon rain barrels. If you live in a rainy area, you may need a larger rain barrel or you may need to link multiple rain barrels together to hold more gallons of water.
Mesh Screen: Rain barrels come with mesh screens. Mesh screens prevent leaves, insects, and other debris from getting mixed in with your water. They also prevent mosquitoes from using your rainwater as a breeding ground.
Dual Overflow Valve: If you get a particularly heavy rainfall, your barrel can overflow. Opt for a barrel with dual overflow valves, letting you divert the rain once your barrel reaches its capacity. When your barrel is full, the spout will send the overflow of water away from your foundation.
Spigot: A spigot allows you to dispense the rainwater from the barrel into a bucket or watering can or connect to a hose to water the garden.Look for a rain barrel with two spigots, one on the bottom and one higher on the barrel. Placing the spigot low on the barrel makes it easy to attach a hose to dispense water even if your supply starts to get low. The high spigot allows you to fill a watering can without having to bend over and stress your back.
Diverter: A diverter kit is designed to attach a rain barrel directly to your gutter and turn off automatically when the barrel is full. Once the barrel fills with rainwater, the diverter turns off, allowing water to flow through your gutters as normal. When there is space for rainwater in your barrel, the diverter will start sending rainwater back into the barrel.
Linkable: Linkable rain barrels allow you to connect multiple rain barrels together. This is optimal if you have a large garden or if you live in an area that gets a lot of rainfall throughout the year and worry about overflowing a single barrel.
Planters: Turn your rain barrel into part of your outdoor decor by opting for a rain barrel with a planter. The planter is on the top of the rain barrel, making it look like it’s part of your garden decor.
Stands: If you find that you have soft or uneven ground, opt for a stand for your rain barrel on. It will give your rain barrel height, making it fit seamlessly in with other vertical decor. A stand will get your barrel off of the ground and onto an even and flat surface.
Best Rain Barrel Cleaning Tips
- Clean your gutters once a year to minimize the amount of debris that goes into your rain barrel.
- Drain your barrel on a regular basis to help avoid breeding mosquitoes.
- Store your barrel upside down when not in use; it helps keep the inside clean.
- If the temperature drops below freezing, be sure to empty your barrel. The process of water freezing and thawing can cause your rain barrel to crack.
There are several benefits of rain barrels and many different features to choose from. Explore our site to find the best rain barrel for you and bring life back to your yard.
