Buy Rain Barrels Online

Plastic, Wooden, and Whiskey Water Barrels

Jun 26, 2009 Judith Zwolak

The best water for landscape and gardening is the soft, sodium-free stuff that falls from the sky. Rainwater collection systems for the home are easy to install.

Rain harvesting has the added benefit of saving the earth’s most precious natural resource: water. Homeowners can choose from a variety of rain barrels, ranging from small to huge, that collect rain from house gutters.

All of the following rain water barrels are available online, with some shipped free of charge.

Whiskey Rain Barrel

Give a white oak barrel used to age whiskey a new life collecting rainwater with the Kentucky Bourbon Rain Barrel from Kentuckybarrels.com (see photo below). These barrels come straight from a Kentucky distillery and include a brass faucet, steel overflow pipe, downspout adapter, and a wooden bung that plugs a center hole. The wooden rain barrels offer character galore, but the seller’s website explains that these barrels require some periodic maintenance and can be susceptible to insect damage. Holds 52 gallons of water. Price: $170. Shipping varies.

Planter Rain Barrel

Camouflaged as a planter, the 55 Gallon Nino Planter/Rain Barrel (pictured below) from Raintankdepot.com is attractive enough to capture rain water from a front-yard downspout. The planter is made of food grade plastic and comes in 13 colors. Just position the downspout over the screened inlet section and the planter is set to collect rainwater. A tray on top allows users to grow shallow-rooted annuals. Drain valve and overflow fittings are included. Price: $160. Shipping varies.

Recycled Plastic Rain Barrel

The Good Ideas Big Blue Rain Barrel from Simplyrainbarrels.com (seen in the photo below) lives up to its name with a 55 gallon water holding capacity packed in a bright blue container. Created from recycled food barrels, Big Blue has a brass spigot and a top screen that keeps out insects. Price: $94.99. The site often offers free shipping.

Collapsible Rain Barrel

Less expensive than rain barrels of comparable size, and easier to store in the winter, the Knock Down Rain Barrels from Woodlanddirect.com is made of heavy, UV-resistant plastic which attaches to a collapsible frame. Check out the informative video at Woodlanddirect (click on “Watch Demo”) to view the barrel’s set up. Price for 52 gallon barrel: $79. Shipping is $9.99.

Stone Rain Barrel

Disguised as decorative landscaping, the Emsco Waterstone Rain Barrel system from Home Depot looks like a large rock, but can contain 40 gallons of water. The Waterstone kit comes with the stone rain barrel (made of 25 percent recycled resin), a downspout diverter, 36 inches of tubing, barb plug, 48 inches of main hose, ball cock with on/off control downspout and two hose gaskets. Price: $99.99. Shipping varies.

In general, water collected in receptacles from rain is not considered potable, so it’s safest not to drink water collected in rain barrels. The preferred uses of water from rain collection systems are watering flowers and ornamentals, grass, and vegetables. To keep rain barrels free of leaves and debris, buy a unit that includes a screen where water enters the barrel. A mosquito dunk, or even a goldfish or two, will keep mosquito larvae in check.

In cold climates, remove all water from rain barrels and replace any removed gutter downspouts. Store empty rain barrels in a protected location to prevent the plastic or wood from cracking.

The copyright of the article Buy Rain Barrels Online in Family Finances is owned by Judith Zwolak. Permission to republish Buy Rain Barrels Online in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.