Finally! A plethora of attractive rain barrels

Michelle Gervais, Associate Editor

3 users recommend

Add Comment
Print

A couple of years ago Gardener’s Supply came out with a rain barrel that looked like an elegant terra-cotta urn, and I was pretty darned excited (though not excited enough to cough up $219.) I’d love a rain barrel, but I don’t really have an un-seen side of my house to hide one, living in the close quarters of an in-town garden. And hide it I would want to, since in the past, most rain barrels were far from stylish.

But now there are lots of attractive options out there that can become a part of your garden design, or an interesting element on your patio. It makes lots of sense, doesn’t it? This largish, permanent addition to a garden should look a little nicer than the trash can you wheel out to the street every week. I’m saving my pennies and searching out my options. Here are a few I’ve found:

This one’s got clean, simple lines and a neutral color that will blend into the background:
http://www.windandweather.com/product.asp?section_id=2006&department=1405&search_type=category&search_value=9343&cm_val=&cm_pos=&cur_index=&cm_type=&pcode=1157

Something about the shape of this rain barrrel seems vaguely Hobbitish to me, and I kinda like it. It also has a 300 gallon capacity (Wow!) and a flat back so it nestles up against a wall, saving space.
http://www.cleanairgardening.com/300-gallon-rain-barrel.html

While it’s a bit heavy on the plastic look, this one has nice curves and a nifty stand.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07199753000P?vName=Lawn%20&%20Garden&cName=Watering,Hoses&Sprinklers&sName=Watering%20Accessories&psid=FROOGLE01&sid=IDx20070921x00003a

A beautiful, cylindrical, WOODEN rain barrel! Nice.
http://www.cleanairgardening.com/eco-rain-barrel-round.html

Or if you prefer square, this wooden rain barrel is for you.
http://www.cleanairgardening.com/eco-rain-barrel-rectangular.html

While it may not fit into the attractive category, I couldn’t take my eyes off this ultra serious system. You can even build it into a deck!
http://www.cleanairgardening.com/modular-rain-barrel.html

I wonder how realistic this rock barrel looks in person, but I applaud the makers for effort!
http://www.aquabarrel.com/product_rain_barrel_complete_rainrock.php

Odd, but worth investigating.
http://www.rainbarrels.org/id2.html

Rain barrels made from Kentucky whiskey barrels! Beware though, they do require special care.
http://www.kentuckybarrels.com/?gclid=CLiX05zjnpsCFQxM5QodciDzqQ

And finally, if none of these float your boat, here’s one that you can take down if company’s coming and you want everything to look effortless…
http://www.plowhearth.com/product.asp?section_id=0&department=0&search_type=normal&search_value=rain&cur_index=&pcode=1235

Add Comment Print

Don't Judge Me (Or My Plant Picks)!

Back to List

And the winner of the May Flowers Photo Challenge is...

Comments (8)

stacibix writes: about a year later and STILL looking... i've been hoping for something copper clad or garden statuary made of the composite stone like the lovely lightweight planters... Posted: 11:40 am on May 6th

W9_Roses writes: I put in two 55 gal. rain barrels this year. They were the ugly blue ones from my local community center. I had to paint them tan to match the house. They look much better!

Is it possible to hook-up drip irrigation from a rain barrel? Will it have enough pressure to water the plants at the end of the tubing? How long can the tubing be? Posted: 3:08 pm on July 22nd

EdenT writes: Just wondering - what is the best way to get the water out of the rainbarrel? It seems like most of these models have the spout fairly high off the ground so there is a lot of water left below....am I missing something? Posted: 12:02 am on July 12th

Tocco writes: I have the rain barrel pictured above, it is terrific and is easy to use. I only wish I had two. Posted: 9:14 pm on July 7th

mgervais writes: OK, now that I've been clued in that a rain barrel is called a "water butt" overseas, I have a few more to share!

Great shape & color:
http://www.oaklandsplastics.com/water-storage-rainwater-harvesting/water-butt-bell.asp?Mn=33

LOVE the coordinating watering can!
http://www.greenfingers.com/superstore/product.asp?dept_id=200410&pf_id=LS3077D

Beautiful!
http://www.guardianoffers.co.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/guardianoffers/_pml0000636/-/Large-Water-Butt-(220-Litre-Capacity)

Wall mounted and reminiscent of a wall-mounted mailbox
http://www.gonegardening.com/xq/ASP/dept_id.5002/pf_id.990176/referer./qx/gg_shop/product.htm

Roman temple, anyone?
http://www.getethical.com/products/7863/500_litre_column_water_tank

And finally, from my buddy Ryan (@RyansGarden) on twitter. I'm not sure if I should thank him or yell at him! You'll see....
http://www.waterbutts.com/Butt/index.html



Posted: 4:58 pm on June 29th

CoolGreenGardens writes: Michelle - very useful post. Wouldn't it be great if some really talented product designers could collaborate with the really smart engineering types and solve all the problems. Posted: 4:24 pm on June 29th

sweetrebecca writes: Love all the info! Personally I like the one from Sears (above). Since it doesn't rain much here in CA we could always use it to make a giant batch of ice tea! Posted: 12:40 am on June 27th

back40 writes: Thanks for the info. I have two 100gal barrels that I bought locally but which were made by a company called Desert Plastics. Have you seen them? They're at
deseryplastics-abq.com Posted: 10:05 am on June 24th

You must be logged in to post comments. Click here to login.