Rainwater barrels are hugely beneficial for any gardener. But installing them correctly is important as once full they can be extremely difficult to adjust. Here's how to set up your rainwater barrel correctly.

First of all make sure you have somewhere completely flat to place your rainwater barrel. If the ground is even slightly uneven it can make for an unsteady and therefore unsafe water butt.

Ensure the tap is near the bottom of the container so you get maximum water pressure, and that is is facing the direction where it will be of most use to you. There must be enough room below the level of the tap or spigot to allow your watering can or a bucket to sit underneath comfortably. If the tap is too low you will need to raise the height of the barrel by placing on a concrete pad or blocks, again making sure it is completely level.

All rainwater catchment systems should have an overflow fitted. This overflow must divert water away from the site or else heavy rain may result in the erosion of the area it is situated and lead to an unsteady container. Because we usually place such water storage next to buildings it is important to divert all excess water away from their foundations or your water barrel could do more harm than good. Remember you can always add another container in future, fed from this overflow to increase your water capture capability.

Always install a filter of some kind to prevent debris and insects ending up in your barrel along with the rainwater. It doesn't need to be anything fancy, just some old mosquito netting would do, but remember you will need to clear it regularly to prevent any blockages.

Whether you buy a purpose build item or customise some old bin the principles are the same. You want to harvest as much clean rainwater as possible while ensuring you do not increase the risk of flooding the area.

For more information about collecting rainwater and rainwater barrels visit the Catalan Garden site.

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