Rain barrels may not be the most glamorous of garden tools but with water shortages on the rise, they have quickly become a crucial component of the smart, sustainable garden. After you set up a system, it does the work for you (just attach a hose to irrigate your plants).
If you’re starting from scratch, we have some affordable solutions (primarily in plastic, though some are recycled). And if you’re looking for a long-term investment, we’ve rounded up rain barrels made of stainless steel and wood. Have a look at some of our favorites.
Above: With staves made of chestnut wood held in place by galvanized steel barrel hoops, a Balcony Rain Butt has a capacity of about 40 gallons (“it is compact enough to fit comfortably on the balcony or a small terrace to collect rainwater”) and is €249 from Manufactum. Above: A stoneware lookalike, a 45-Gallon Rain Barrel made of recycled plastic resin is $219 from Fast Furnishings. Above: A 67-gallon Wooden Rain Barrel made of dried spruce wood has a brass tap and is $244. Above: A 100-gallon Rain Barrel with a planting box is $229.99 from Wayfair. Above: An 80-gallon Rain Barrel made of polyethylene has a brass spigot and comes in three colors (charcoal, shown, brownstone, or terracotta) and is $160.04 from Home Depot. Above: A Black Water Butt with a matching stand and downpipe connector kit is £74.99 from Water Butts Direct. Above: A square Wooden Rain Barrel with a 70-gallon capacity is $244 from Eco-Outfitter. Above: A 55-gallon Rain Barrel made of plastic is $91.25 from USP. Above: The Tierra Garden 82-Gallon Rain Saver is a straightforward budget option in a faded army green polypropylene; for retailers and prices, see TDI Brands. Above: A 75-gallon Rain Barrel in a faux sandstone finish has an additional lower spigot to aid clean out; it is $194 from Gardener’s Supply. Would you like to water your garden less often? See Hardscaping 101: Drip Irrigation and Curb Appeal: 10 Landscaping Ideas for a Low-Water Garden. For further reading:
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