How to Install a Rain Barrel

If you have been following my first year of gardening, you will know that I am determined to learn and do all I can to make these plants grow. I’ve built raised beds and a strawberry planter, tried to start seeds indoors, and now I am learning to be resourceful. We like to save money where ever we can, and one way that seemed obvious was through how much (or little) water we use. It seemed ridiculous to dump gallons of water on the dirt of the garden when water literally falls from the sky. So, putting down a little money and work to harness that free resource appeared to be a great idea.

The benefits of installing a rain barrel are pretty great. First, as I mentioned before, it’s a way to collect a free resource that you would otherwise have to pay for. Second, if you ask any gardener, they’ll tell you that rain water promotes healthier, larger, and tastier plants. I’m sure there is a scientific reason, but I’m content to learn from the testimonies of others.

Here is my tutorial on how to install a rain barrel.

Step 1: Buy your materials

If you are concerned about your budget there are many great DIY or salvaging options for the actual barrel part. Some businesses have large plastic barrels used for shipping supplies that you can ask for one that is about to be discarded anyway. Heavy duty garbage cans with lids work well and so do old wine barrels. When all else fails, you can always purchase an actual rain barrel kit for less than $100, which is what we chose to do.

If you don’t buy a kit, you’ll also need to buy the extra hardware and supplies to make your barrel into the ultimate water collecting container. This kit (affiliate link) is very similar to the one we purchased at Mendards. We loved that it came with the drill bits needed to make the holes for the hoses.

Ok, you have your barrel and supplies, but have you considered the stand? If you want to fill a bucket or get the water traveling down a hose, you’ll want to elevate it. Any strong base will do. Some chose to make the base out of concrete blocks, landscaping stones, or a wooden stand.

Step 2: Choose a location

The most obvious thing to consider when picking a location for your rain barrel is where the downspouts are. You’ll need to be within 2 feet of one to attach a hose to it for optimal water collection. Another thing to consider is where your garden is. We picked the corner of our house closest to the garden.

Step 3: Reroute the Downspout (if necessary)

Because of the fence we just built, the corner intended for the rain barrel was too small and crowded to accommodate it. At first I was intimidated at the thought of rerouting a downspout, but it really is very simple.

Get an idea of the new route on paper or in your head. You’ll need to know how many corners and what lengths of downspout to purchase. At the store there are two sizes, a larger and smaller. Measure your downspout ahead of time to get the right size.

Changing the direction of the downspout is as simple as fitting the pieces within each other. Keep in mind, the water always has to flow downward.

Step 4: Attach the Spigot

You may need to drill a hole for this. Since we purchased and actual rain barrel, the hole was already there. Follow the direction on the kit to know exactly where and how to install the spigot.

Step 5: Attach the hose

Now, you’ll need to attach the hose which directs the water from the downspout to the barrel. Again, you may need to drill the hole into the barrel and you’ll definitely need to drill into your downspout.

Step 6: Make the Stand

For our stand we used scrap 4x4s that were leftover from our fence posts. I knew I’d find something creative to do with them (they wanted to burn them), and this was the perfect solution. They were sturdy and simple to build up to the proper height. Whatever material you choose to use, don’t stress out about the stand. If you keep in mind that the full barrel will be very heavy and need to be well supported, you’ll be fine.

Finally, place the lid on the barrel to keep mosquitos out and you are ready to make your garden grow beautifully. Having a rain barrel has been so beneficial for our plant’s health and water bill costs. It was a fairly easy project that cost relatively little money. You too can enjoy the benefits of a rain barrel!

Be sure to check out some of my other gardening posts: Raised Garden Bed Tutorial, DIY Trellis, Pallet Strawberry Planter, and The Truth About Starting Seeds in Eggshells.