Water Conservation Never Looked So Good
Dress up your rain barrel with a bit of paint and creativity.
Many gardeners are using discarded food containers to create affordable rain barrels. Though functional they may not fit in with your landscape design.
You can fix that. Start by wiping down the barrel with a one-to-one mixture of vinegar and water.
Next roughen up the surface of the barrel with a piece of fine grit sand paper to help the paint stick.
Brush off any debris and apply a coat of primer designed for plastics.
Now you're ready to start painting. Draw the design on the barrel first. Once the drawing is complete you can begin painting with exterior latex paint. Dawn of my team also painted the ladybug rain barrel featured on this segment.
And don't worry if you are not an artist just pick up some stencils or invite the kids to get involved.
A bit more information: You can also mask your rain barrel with ornamental plantings. Create a living screen of upright shrubs or ornamental grasses. Just make sure you have easy access to the spout for retrieving water. Or cover the barrel with netting and grow a climbing vine up the side of the barrel. Quick growing Spanish flag, canary vine or cardinal flower are just a few you can try.
Related
Categories
Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars
April 3, 2024
Garden Trends
Franklin Public Library, Franklin, WI
April 10, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
Container Gardening Throughout the Year
Register now
April 11, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
7 Steps to Managing Water Where it Falls in Your Yard
Register now
April 17, 2024
Landscaping for Birds:
A Gardener’s Perspective
Glendale, WI
April 18, 2024
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Golden Rondelle Theater, Racine, WI
Register now
April 20, 2024
Pruning Hydrangeas and Other Shrubs
Pasquesi Home & Gardens, Lake Bluff, IL
April 27, 2024
Ridges & Rivers Book Festival
Viroqua, WI
April 28, 2024
Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI
May 1, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
Ornamental Fruits and Vegetables
Register now
May 4, 2024
Garden U 2024
New Richmond, WI
Register now
May 9, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
How to Plant Your Rain Garden
Register now
May 11, 2024
Ask The Plant Doctor Q & A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI
May 12, 2024
Ask The Plant Doctor Q & A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI
May 18, 2024
Ask The Plant Doctor Q & A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI
June 1, 2024
Selecting, Planting, Pruning and Caring for Hydrangeas
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI
June 5, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
Under-Appreciated Pollinators
Register now
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More