Introduction
Tired of high water bills and wasting precious drinking water on your garden? Learning how to make a rain barrel for your garden is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to conserve water, lower your costs, and keep your plants hydrated during dry spells. This complete step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to build and set up a rain barrel so you can start collecting and using free rainwater this season!
Why Making a Rain Barrel Matters for Your Garden
A single rainstorm can deliver hundreds of gallons of water off your roof — but without a rain barrel, all that water just runs down the drain. Capturing rainwater helps you:
✅ Conserve treated tap water for when you really need it.
✅ Provide your plants with soft, chlorine-free water they love.
✅ Reduce runoff that can cause soil erosion or flooding in your yard.
✅ Save money on your water bill, especially during droughts or watering restrictions.
Once you know how to make a rain barrel for your garden, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Rain Barrel
Follow these clear steps to build a simple, effective rain barrel system for your yard.
1. Choose the Right Barrel
Start with a sturdy, food-grade container:
✅ 50–60-gallon plastic drum or trash can with a tight-fitting lid.
✅ Avoid barrels that previously held chemicals.
✅ Pick a UV-resistant barrel if possible so it lasts longer outdoors.
Tip: Look for used barrels at garden centers, car washes, bottling companies, or online marketplaces — you’ll often find them for cheap or free.
2. Gather Your Tools and Materials
You’ll need:
- A drill with hole saw bits (¾” and 1½–2”).
- ¾” spigot with bulkhead fitting or hose bib.
- Rubber washers and Teflon tape.
- Silicone caulk (optional for extra leak protection).
- Flexible downspout extender or diverter kit (optional).
- Cinder blocks or bricks to raise the barrel off the ground.
3. Pick the Best Location
✅ Place your barrel under a downspout that gets good water flow from your roof.
✅ Choose a level surface — an unstable barrel can tip when full.
✅ Raise it at least 12–18 inches on sturdy cinder blocks or bricks. This increases water pressure and makes it easier to fill watering cans or attach a hose.
4. Install the Spigot
This is where you’ll connect your hose or fill your watering can.
Step 1: Mark a hole about 2–3 inches from the bottom of the barrel.
Step 2: Drill a ¾” hole for your spigot.
Step 3: Insert the spigot, adding a rubber washer inside and outside if using a bulkhead fitting.
Step 4: Wrap Teflon tape around threads for a tight seal.
Step 5: Tighten the nut on the inside to hold the spigot firmly in place.
Step 6: Test for leaks and seal with silicone caulk if needed.
5. Create an Overflow Outlet
Rain barrels can fill up fast during heavy rain. An overflow prevents flooding near your foundation.
Step 1: Mark a hole near the top rim of your barrel.
Step 2: Drill a 1½–2” hole.
Step 3: Attach a threaded PVC adapter and hose or pipe to direct excess water away from your home — a flexible garden hose works fine.
Step 4: Aim the overflow toward a garden bed, rain garden, or permeable area where extra water won’t cause problems.
6. Cut a Hole for the Downspout
You need an inlet for rainwater to flow in.
✅ Use a hole saw to cut a hole in the barrel lid, sized to fit your downspout extender or diverter.
✅ If you want to keep bugs out, cover the hole with fine mesh or window screen material secured with a hose clamp or caulk.
✅ Some gardeners attach a ready-made diverter to the downspout — this automatically directs water into the barrel and back down the spout when it’s full.
7. Raise and Secure the Barrel
Once your holes and fittings are done, place the barrel on your base:
✅ Use cinder blocks, bricks, or a strong wooden stand to lift the barrel.
✅ Make sure it’s level and stable — a full barrel can weigh over 400 pounds!
✅ Connect your downspout or diverter to the barrel inlet.
8. Use Your Collected Rainwater Wisely
✅ Fill watering cans right from the spigot for flower beds, container plants, and shrubs.
✅ Connect a short hose for low-pressure drip irrigation.
✅ Use rainwater only for non-potable uses — don’t drink it or use it for washing food.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
✅ Mistake: Placing the barrel on uneven ground.
Solution: Always use a level, sturdy base to prevent tipping.
✅ Mistake: Not having an overflow outlet.
Solution: Always add an overflow to direct excess water away from your foundation.
✅ Mistake: Using barrels that held harmful chemicals.
Solution: Use only food-grade barrels to keep plants safe.
✅ Mistake: Leaving the barrel uncovered.
Solution: Always use a lid and mesh to keep out mosquitoes, debris, and animals.
✅ Mistake: Not maintaining the system.
Solution: Clean your barrel and filter screens every few months.
Extra Tips & Garden Hacks
🌱 Link Multiple Barrels: Use short hoses to connect barrels together and capture even more rainwater during storms.
🌱 Winterize Your Barrel: Drain and disconnect your barrel before freezing temps — ice can crack plastic barrels.
🌱 Install a Rain Garden: Direct overflow into a rain garden to handle excess water and create habitat for pollinators.
👉 Related guide: Check out our article on How to Conserve Water in Your Garden for more ways to make every drop count!
Conclusion
Learning how to make a rain barrel for your garden is one of the easiest DIY projects that saves you money and helps the environment. With just a few tools, an afternoon of work, and some recycled materials, you can harness free rainwater and keep your garden healthy — even during droughts and watering restrictions.
🌿 Bookmark this guide and share it with a friend — your plants (and your wallet) will thank you every rainy day!