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Depending on where you live and the current weather conditions, plants and grass typically need to be watered once or twice a week, especially if you want your garden and grass looking their very best. Plants grow and thrive when properly watered, and, while most of us use a garden hose or let sprinklers do the job, there’s another tool you can use that can save you water and money: rainwater barrels.
Though they’re not a new concept, rainwater barrels are trending on social media as an eco-friendly alternative to hoses and sprinklers that can be used to collect water for watering your plants and grass.
Watering your garden using water from your local water authority not only increases your water bill but also depletes water resources in your town. Garden coach and organic gardener Resh Gala and the DIYers and gardening influencers behind the Instagram account Salty Acres recently posted videos on how to install and use a rainwater barrel to collect water at no cost and use it in your yard. (Yes, you can also follow the same advice and use the water for your grass.)
There are different models and types of rainwater barrels for sale online to choose from. In her video, Gala explains how she installed two rainwater barrels like this one available on Amazon for a client. She notes that you’ll need to place the barrel on a flat surface (treated wood or garden stones). You will need to cut your downspout shorter. The rainwater barrel company recommends at least two inches of clearance between the top of the barrel and the curved end spout for proper water flow and to clean the filter. (Pro tip: You can use metal scissors or an oscillating multi-purpose tool to do this.)
How to Build Your Own Rainwater Barrel
If you’re a hardcore DIYer like the family behind Salty Acres, you can take things a step further and build your own rainwater barrel using a standard rain barrel with just a few tools and materials: a power drill, an oscillating multi-purpose tool, and a few cinder blocks to create the base. In his video, Collin at Salty Acres walks you through how he installed and made his own rainwater barrel and added a faucet that he now uses in his garden.
Rainwater barrels come in different sizes and styles; you can choose from a standard 50-gallon one or even bigger. Gala recommends getting a rainwater barrel with a filter to catch debris and mosquitoes and not forgetting to empty it when winter comes, especially in areas where temperatures drop below 32 degrees. If you decide to go the DIY route, don’t forget to add a mesh layer or screen to catch debris.
Related: The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Planting Grass Seed (and How to Avoid Them)
Benefits of Using Rainwater Barrels
Rainwater running down your home’s roof will just run off. However, when installing a rain barrel to catch that water, you can use that water for a specific purpose, a few in fact:
- To conserve water
- To reduce your water bill
- To minimize erosion and flooding
- To collect water for your plants and grass
