If you live in the Northwest, you've probably seen rainwater barrels at the sides of houses to catch and reuse what we seem to have plenty of up here. But if big plastic barrels aren't part of the aesthetic vision for your garden, Instructables user Michelle Kaufmann has a step-by-step for putting together this camouflaged version.
For materials, you'll need wire mesh, 2-3 barrels (hers are from Arid Solutions), cinder blocks or bricks, a downspout elbow joint and climbing plants from your local nursery.
• The first step is to assemble the barrels, stacking them one on top of the other and using the cinder blocks or bricks as a base. Use a level and adjust the base to make sure the barrels are level.
•Then, saw a hole into the bottom barrel and attach the downspout.
•Next, wrap the mesh around the barrels, leaving the top exposed and making sure the downspout sticks out. Tie the ends of the mesh together with wire for a secure fit.
•Finally, plant your plants around the base of the barrels, and coax them to grow up the sides of the mesh. You can place hanging plants in pots on the top of the barrel, careful not to cover the hole that lets the rainwater in.
That's it! When you want to use the rainwater, simply attach your garden hose to the downspout. Michelle also gives additional design ideas, including filling the mesh with large stones for a stone gabion look.
See the full instructions here.
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I'm curious about these rainwater barrels. Don't mosquitos come and lay eggs and breed galore in them?
view SFGail's profile
They are either sealed (the drainage pipe goes directly into the only hole) or have fine netting over any opening. The mosquitos can't get in to lay the eggs...
view JG's profile
This is great for the spring/summer -- but my rainbarrel is most noticible in the winter (when the plants in front of it are bare). Can anyone think of an evergreen climber that might work with this concept?
view robyn's profile
robyn- Try a Hedera helix "Glacier" ivy.
view bramasoleiowa's profile