How to Make a Rain Barrel for Watering Plants and Flowers

Free Water for Your Garden

Those who have a monthly water bill understand the importance of water preservation. During hot summer months, outdoor plants and gardens require extra water, but using an outdoor water source connected to a municipal water supply day after day can be very expensive. Relying on rain alone will not sufficiently water a garden in the midst of a dry hot summer. Rain barrels can help collect beneficial rain that can be used when the summer skies are fair. Rain barrels are a natural way to collect water that can be used for any nondrinking purpose, and rain barrels are beneficial for plants and flowers. Rain is rich in minerals and nutrients that municipal water supplies don’t provide, so consider making a system of rain barrels to collect rainwater for your flowers and garden. Rain barrels are the natural way to economically provide water for plants and flowers.

You can make a simple rain barrel to collect enough rain to water your flowers and garden on the hottest of summer days, or you can make a couple of rain barrels that should provide enough water to last for weeks. Rain barrels naturally replenish themselves each time it rains, so unless you live in a very dry arid location where it seldom rains, your rain barrels should constantly and consistently provide rainwater for your flowers and garden. Rain barrels not only help save money by providing free water, your flowers and gardens will thrive on the vital nutrients and minerals naturally provided.

Making a Rain Barrel

The best material for a rain barrel is plastic. Polyethylene garbage cans make perfect rain barrels. Plastic doesn’t rust, it’s easy to clean, and they are the perfect size to collect water for average outdoor watering requirements. A plastic garbage can that’s been transformed into a rain barrel also comes with a cover to help keep out insects and debris. The lid can be trimmed with a utility knife to completely surround and seal the elbow of the downspout.