Water Butt’s & Harvesting Rainwater

Do you know the importance of Water Butt’s? 

We trust the title of this newsletter didn’t throw you off too much! During our recent visit to the UK, we explored some garden centers and stumbled upon something quite amusing – rain barrels referred to as “water butt’s.” The name still gives us a chuckle, and we can’t resist a playful jest (yes, a bit immature, but it’s all in good fun!).

In our experience assisting many homeowners, we’ve noticed a common trend – downspouts from their roofs discharging rainwater to random areas away from their foundations. While this is crucial for basement maintenance and keeping things dry, what often gets overlooked by aspiring kitchen gardeners is the potential of harvesting rainwater.

Harvesting rainwater is surprisingly simple. With an attachment designed for eavestroughs, you can easily redirect rainwater into a rain barrel. These barrels often come equipped with overflow hoses to ensure excess water is diverted away from your home, much like a standard eavestrough.

To put it in perspective, the runoff from our detached garage can supply us with 3 to 4 weeks’ worth of water for our garden. This means significant savings on your monthly water bill by utilizing harvested rainwater from your roof!

Different Ways To Harvest Rainwater with Water Butt’s

At our residence, combining our house and garage, our current three-barrel system allows us to accumulate around 720 liters (180 gallons) of rainwater. Considering an average of 2 inches of monthly rainfall, this translates to approximately 600 gallons of harvested rainwater – an effective means to cut down on monthly expenses while contributing to a greener footprint.

Rain Barrels/Water Butt’s Attached to Downspout – A practical solution to tap into existing downspouts. Mark where you’d like the outlet, cut the downspout, affix the valve onto the downspout, and then re-install the lower segment. Although it demands some effort and tools, it’s an ideal way to access readily available water sources.

Downspouts Funneling Into Rain Barrels – Our system here is quite attainable too. The previous property owners had garage eavestroughs discharging into the yard through a unique contraption. By adjusting this setup, both downspouts now channel into one barrel and then overflow into a second. This setup operates smoothly, and once the second barrel fills up, it discharges into the yard.

In essence, this practice allows us to harness the “free” resource of rainfall. For our larger property, we envision employing larger rain barrels/water butt’s to optimize the system even further. However, for most of our clients and homeowners with smaller yards, rain barrels similar to ours effectively serve the purpose.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Cost-Effective Water Source: Rain barrels provide a budget-friendly way to collect rainwater, reducing your reliance on municipal water supplies and saving you money on utility bills.

2. Eco-Friendly Choice: Harvesting rainwater is an environmentally conscious practice that lessens the strain on local water sources, conserving this precious resource.

3. Garden Nourishment: Rainwater is naturally soft and free of the chemicals often found in tap water. Using it to water your garden can promote healthier plant growth and soil quality.

4. Easy Setup: Installing rain barrels can be a simple DIY project. They can be connected to downspouts with minimal tools and effort, making it accessible for most homeowners.

5. Reduced Runoff: By capturing rainwater that would otherwise flow into storm drains, rain barrels help decrease erosion and mitigate local flooding issues, benefiting both your property and the environment.

What’s next?

We’re confident that this week’s newsletter has enriched your understanding and ignited your passion for your kitchen garden ventures. However, our shared exploration doesn’t end here.

Stay connected with us on social media, where a wealth of gardening insights, exclusive behind-the-scenes peeks, and real-time updates await. Engaging with our vibrant community and learning from your unique gardening journeys brings us immense joy. Join the dialogue and become a valued member of our growing family of plant enthusiasts on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

Feeling inspired and envisioning your own kitchen garden project? We’re thrilled to connect with you. Our team stands ready to provide guidance, share our expertise, and collaborate to make your garden dreams a reality. Be it a design consultation, construction services, or a tailored plan, we’re excited to join you on this rewarding journey.

Reach out without hesitation to kick-start the conversation. Share your aspirations, ask questions, and let us help you transform your vision into a flourishing reality. We’re honored to play a role in your kitchen garden success story!

We are here to help you achieve your gardening goals! Reach out with any questions that might come up throughout your journey. 

We are excited to announce that there are some new DIY plans on our Etsy store. Whether you need some more storage in the garden, are looking to spruce up your curb appeal or are looking for a new way to grow your tomatoes, we have something for you!

Check it out here – https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/WillowLaneGardenCo

Best regards,

Tessa & Kyle
Willow Lane Garden Co.

P.S. Tag us in your garden photos and stories on social media. We’d love to see your green thumb in action!