Digger Diaries | July-August
- Jessica Russell Hilton
- Jun 25
- 5 min read
Rain Barrel Refresh: Five Surprisingly Chic Designs for one Sustainable Statement
I absolutely adore my rain barrels. This is not an overstatement. In Mississippi where I live, they keep my fairly large garden watered most of the year without relying on city water. Oh, the joy of guilt-free plant care!
By now, I can’t imagine gardening without a rain barrel (or three, to be precise). I just don’t want anyone to see them. I’d sooner let my house guests see my cleaning closet!
Like my cleaning supplies, my rain barrels are purposely hidden out of sight. In fact, when my husband and I installed them about ten years ago, we took great pains to conceal them behind a decorative fence and a dense shrub hedge.
Oh, how things change. Rain barrel design has come a long way in recent years. Gone are the days when harvesting rain meant somehow hiding a bulky, unsightly utility amongst your beautiful plants.
Nowadays, many new designs are focal-point-worthy, constructed with shapely silhouettes and attractive colors. Some rain barrels even do double-duty—as planters, fountains, or birdbaths—truly shifting their status from behind-the-shed to in-the-spotlight.
Below is a roundup of 5 beautiful rain barrel styles to inspire anyone looking to upgrade their rain collection system, or try harvesting rain for the first time.
Antique Wooden Barrel
Plastic versions of this look are easy to find—perhaps even easier—and attractive enough. But for purists who value natural materials, a lot of independent craftspeople (like this one) are converting antique wooden whiskey barrels into functional rain barrels just waiting to steal the show in a Southern cottage garden. Already have a wooden barrel? You’ll find no shortage of instructions on the internet for ways to convert it yourself.
Pretty in Plastic
Years ago, rain barrels made of plastic were commonly white or bright blue—two colors guaranteed to stand out in your landscape like a sore thumb (like mine do)! Newer plastic models are available in an attractive range of earth tones that blend in beautifully—stone gray, forest green, dark brown. I spotted this pair of rain barrels (and charming rain chains!) at the North Carolina Botanical Garden. Earth Easy offers a similar product.
Mock Terracotta
Many contemporary rain barrels are inspired by the warm, earthy look of terracotta. For practical purposes, most are constructed of waterproof, durable resin or plastic. (Glazed ceramic versions exist, but are pricey.) This one, with a stylish silhouette reminiscent of a chiminea, looks extra-convincing:
Think Outside the Barrel
This white resin style proves that rain barrels don’t have to be round. It may not have the largest capacity, but with space for a planter on top and flat edges that can sit against a fence or wall, it may be well-suited for small gardens or patios.
Seeing Double
So many rain barrel designs these days double as planters. Why did it take us so long to think of this! Note, some barrels marketed as planters have a shallower planting area than we would like. If you’re interested in one of these, make sure you’re happy with the planting depth, or confirm you could set a deeper planting container just inside it. Just add Digger’s Delight Premium Potting Mix and flowers!
Similar product to sample pictured:
Why Harvest Rain?
• Plants love rain. Rainwater has a naturally soft pH, and it’s free of chlorine, salts, and other “extras” plants don’t like. You know those whitish mineral deposits city water can leave behind on leaves? Gone.
• Rain barrels slow down runoff and reduce erosion by capturing the rain that falls on your roof.
• Rain barrels lower your water bill and reduce your garden’s reliance on treated water from your municipality.
• No rain? No problem. Install a separate barrel to catch distilled A/C condensation water. The months that are most likely the driest also tend to be the hottest, when the A/C is running full blast.
• If you have a natural water feature, like a small pond with living organisms that would be harmed by chlorinated water, you can use collected rainwater to top it off as needed.
Considerations
• Place rain barrels on a level surface for safety and functionality. Consider pavers or a concrete pad.
• Safety first: Take reasonable steps to keep out curious kids and critters.
• To manage mosquitoes, cover open-top barrel designs with a screen and/or use mosquito tablets. Completely sealed rain barrel designs do not host mosquito larvae.
• Consider height. The higher your rain barrel is in relation to the plants you will be watering, the more pressure you’ll have if you attach a hose directly to your barrel. Some models come with an attractive stand to lift them, or you can purchase (or DIY) one separately. Note: Most rain barrels do not produce nearly the pressure you would expect from your home’s water spigot, but it’s usually more than sufficient.
• Consider a downspout water diverter. With this nice-to-have option, when your barrel gets full, rain water is diverted to your downspout (rather than overflowing and splashing onto your home). Some rain barrels come with their own diverter kits. Otherwise, plan to purchase and install this separately.
Making the Most of Your Rainwater
No matter how much you love your rain barrel’s good looks, its real beauty is the water it contains! Did you know plants growing in the right soil absorb water more effectively? Here’s a quick rundown of how you can use Penick Organics soil mixes and mulches to make the most of the precious rain water you harvest—no matter what style of rain barrel you choose!
• Digger’s Delight Potting Soil helps manage moisture in containers, like pots and hanging baskets.
• Dan’s Dirt Raised Bed Mix helps manage moisture in raised beds, which tend to drain more quickly than in-ground beds.
• Loamate Soil Enricher helps manage moisture for plants in the ground—especially in regions with heavy clay or sand, both of which are common in and around Mississippi.
• Flower & Garden Mulch protects soil and roots from sun, cold, and dryout. It also prevents erosion from wind and rain. Think of it as an insulating jacket for your pots and beds!
What rain barrel design fits your style best? Tell us in the comments, and happy harvesting!
By Jessica Russell Hilton for Penick Organics
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