The benefits of rain barrels

Five Reasons Every Gardener Should Own a Rain Barrel

It doesn't take long for the average gardener to learn the importance of watering their gardens. That said, not every gardener has thought about the many benefits of owning a rain barrel. If you are a gardener who doesn't yet have a rain barrel and would like to learn more about the benefits of owning one, then you've come to the right place. Here are five reasons every gardener should own a rain barrel.

1. Creative Garden Décor

Rain barrels have the potential to not only be functional, but also decorative. Many types of rain barrels are designed to be quite visually appealing and can become a uniquely decorative addition to any garden.

2. Alternative Water Supply

It can be hard to keep your garden watered during a drought or when officials have enacted water usage limitations in your area. By installing a rain barrel, you can collect and store an alternative source of water that can be used during such times. This will help your gardens survive an extended drought or water usage ban.

3. Lower Water Bills

Most types of gardens require watering on a regular basis. Depending on the size of your garden, this could cause your water bill to skyrocket. By using naturally-collected water from your rain barrel to water your garden, you'll have less expensive water bills.

4. Hassle-free Watering

You can create a hassle-free watering system by attaching a slow release hose to the bottom of your rain barrel and weaving the remaining hose throughout your garden. Once it's in place, all you'll need to do is control the water release valve and gravity will do the rest. By eliminating the need to manually water your garden, you'll have more time to complete your other tasks.

5. Better Water Quality

Though tap water can certainly be used to water a garden, rain water is often a superior replacement. This is because rain water is naturally free from additives like chlorine, fluoride, and salt which are commonly found in municipal water supplies.

There are many reasons why every gardener should own a rain barrel. Not only can many rain barrels double as unique pieces of garden décor, but they can also collect and store an alternative water supply that can be used during prolonged droughts or water usage bans. By including a rain barrel in your gardening setup, you can lower your water bills while enjoying the benefits of owning a hassle-free, high-quality watering system.