Selecting Rain Barrels
Save money and be kind to your garden and the environment by capturing rainwater and putting it to work in your landscape.
You can make your own rain barrel or purchase one. In either case there are some features to consider when adding a rain barrel to your landscape.
Make sure the top is covered to keep out debris and mosquitoes. Some come equipped with a solid lid with an opening just big enough to accommodate the downspout. Others use a screen to keep out debris, while letting in the rain.
The spigot should be low on the barrel so water does not stagnate at the bottom. Use the spigot to fill watering cans or attach a hose for watering. An overflow outlet is necessary for periods of heavy rain and for interlocking several barrels.
A downspout diverter is another way to manage rain barrel overflows. When the rain barrels are full this device diverts the water back to the downspout where it is carried away from your home’s foundation.
The choices are many, making it easy for you to conserve water and grow a beautiful landscape.
A bit more information: Start your conversion to rain barrels one downspout at a time. You can capture as much as 650 gallons of water from 1,000 square feet of roof in a one inch rainfall. This can be a lot to manage when first adjusting to this change of habit. Taking little steps allows you to successfully match the use of rain barrels and other rain harvesting techniques to your gardening style and schedule.
Related
Audio
Audio
Audio
Categories
Upcoming
Events & Webinars
Mar. 18, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Patio, Deck and Balcony Gardens
Register here
March 21 & 28, 2026
REALTORS Home & Garden Show
West Allis, WI
More information
March 24, 2026
SC Johnson Golden Rondelle Theater
Community Program
Racine, WI
More information
March 26, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Getting Started Growing Vegetable and Flower Gardens
Register here
April 1, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Growing a Bountiful Harvest
Register here
April 9, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
7 Steps to Managing Water on Your Property
Register here
April 11, 2026
A Day in the Garden
Fond du Lac, WI
Register here
April 18, 2026
3rd Annual Spring Rally
Oshkosh, WI
Register here
April 19, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
April 23, 2026
Iowa State University
More information
April 25, 2026
Pasquesi Home & Gardens
Lake Bluff, IL
April 26, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 2, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 6, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Adding Native Plants
to Any Size Gardening Space
Register here
May 7, 2026
Wauwatosa Public Library
Wauwatosa, WI
May 9, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 10, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 13, 2026
Roots & Branches
West Bend, WI
Register here
May 16, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 17, 2026
Ebert's Greenhouse Village
Ixonia, WI
May 21, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Planting & Care of Your Rain Garden
Register here
June 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Managing Your Landscape
with Pollinators in Mind
Register here
Sept. 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Tree Planting and Care
Register here
Sept. 12, 2026
Knowledge in Bloom Conference
Milwaukee, WI
Register here
Sept. 17, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Fall Landscape Care and Planting
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More
Book an Appearance
Sign up for Melinda's free e-newsletter for a chance to win a Birds & Blooms' Ultimate Gardening Guide!
ENTER NOW
