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This tutorial has measure - by - step teaching for making your own rain gun barrel with elementary parts from the computer hardware store .

For more originative ideas also seeHow to Make a Butterfly Water Feeder .

Hand painted homemade rain barrel.

How to Make a Rain Barrel

In this tutorial you ’ll see how to convert a large , food grade plastic container into a   work pelting barrel with a handy hosiery spigot . In addition to pee conservation , I really prefer using water from a pelting cask because it ’s warmer than tap water and does n’t shock my industrial plant with a flak of cold . plant are like people : they enjoy a gentle , warm shower bath .

Keep in mind that , in some arena , it is in reality illegal to apply rain barrels , so please check your local bylaws first .

This project is from the bookGardening research lab for KidsbyRenata Fossen Brownfeaturing   52 fun experiment to learn , mature , harvest , make , dally , and enjoy your garden . The photograph ( below ) are by Dave Brown .

Homemade rain barrel painted with dragonfly motif.

garden Lab for Kids | Amazon

While many of the projects are aimed at encouraging children in the garden , there ’s several like this one for adults too . you could see more projects from the account book here .

Is it Safe to Use Rainwater from the Roof in Your Garden?

DIY Rain Barrel Instructions

FromGardening Lab for nestling

by Renata Fossen Brown , Images by Dave Brown

rainwater barrel are a great way of life to harvest destitute weewee for use in your garden .

Gardening Lab For Kids book cover.

The mean gardener can keep open more than 1,000 gallons ( 3785 L ) of water each summer by installing and using a rainfall barrel — it saves natural resources and lots of money , too .

Imagine all of the new plants you could buy with those saving !

Materials

Steps

1 . With a 15/16 ” ( 24 mm ) practice session bite , bore one gob near the bottom of the barrel for the spigot ( steam boiler drain ) .

Drill a second handgrip near the top of the barrel for the hosepipe barb .

Keep in head which side you want the top maw on to link to the diverter from the downspout .

DIY painted rain barrel

The top hole that you drill may be on the diametric side of the barrel as the bottom jam . ( Fig . 1 )

2 . Thread both holes with the 3/4 ” ( 2 cm ) pipe tap .

This creates ridges in the holes for the tap and hosepipe jibe to be tightly inserted into the pelting barrel and varnish against water leak . ( Fig . 2 )

Drilling hole in rain barrel.

3 . Wrap the threaded ends of the spigot and hose slam with Teflon tape . ( Fig . 3 )

4 . Insert the spigot and hose shot into their correct holes .

Use the twist to tighten and secure them into office . ( Fig . 4 )

Adding parts to DIY rain barrel.

5 . Cut the downspout and attach the diverter according to the outfit guidance , equip the hose into the hosiery barb .

Water will extend flow through the downspout , but now some will also be diverted into the gun barrel . Paint your rainfall barrel . ( Fig . 5 )

TIP : You’ll need to elevate your rainfall barrel ( concrete cube work well for this ) for several reasons :

Adding faucet to homemade rain barrel.

Dig Deeper

~Melissathe Empress of Dirt ♛

Tightening parts on homemade rain barrel.

Installing homemade rain barrel.