Turn a Planter into a Rain Barrel
Convert a tall, plastic planter into a beautiful AND functional barrel to collect rain water. An easy way to water your garden without running up your water bill.
What I Used
- my planter* (currently out of stock😏)
- tall, narrow planter*
- another option*
- love this color*
- beverage dispenser spigot*
- drill bit*
- stepping stones*
- mosquito dunks*
This project is so easy!! Drill a hole, attach the spigot, let it rain!
Select Spout Location
You want your spigot to be located as close to the bottom as possible so you have as much water pressure as possible while still being able to slip your watering can under it for fill ups.
Mine is about 4 inches up. I know I’ll never use ALL of the water in there at one time. Plus I planned to prop up my ‘barrel’ on some stepping stones we already had to add some height for dispensing. The stepping stones also add a solid foundation for the barrel!
Now drill your hole. Separate the spout from the washer and nut and twist spout into the hole from he outside. Tighten the washer and nut from the inside onto the spout piece. You may need some adjustable pliers to get it water-tight.
Set in place on a level area, with or without stepping stones, and voila! You have a planter rain barrel.
If you already have a downspout installed, you’ll need to cut it to fit your new barrel. I like that our downspout is about 2 inches into the barrel so it helps hold it in place.
Can’t wait for all of the rain I’ll be able to reuse to water our indoor and outdoor potted plants! The kids will be able to have free rein and ‘waste’ as much as they want watering our dirt too!
If you have sprinklers to water your lawn between rains, check out my video on adjusting rotary and pop-up sprinklers so you aren’t wasting any water on your driveway or street. Inexpensive fixes can save you money!
Thanks for Checking In! ~Chelsea
*This post contains affiliate links.*
10 Comments
Jeanne
Great idea, but will be mosquito heaven! Maybe a wooden lid? Or attach some fine netting to the top? I collect rainwater when we’re expecting a decent rainy day here in SC by setting out several 5 gallon buckets that I cover with a piece of an old sheer curtain that I’ve saved, just tie it with some cord around the top. Love your posts, Chelsea!
Rich weller
Where did you get your plastic water spigot
Chelsea Lipford Wolf
Hi Rich! There’s a link in the post! ~Chelsea
jean major
Oh wow Chelsea, where were you three years ago, we don’t get very much rain where I live, but this one particular day a lot of rain was expected, so I used one of my trash cans that is usually used for grass and shrubs, and I had the bright idea to leave the lid open to catch some great free rain water. After the rain I went outside to see how much I had collected, and roll it to the side of my house, no way, it was too heavy, my neighbor tried helping, still no go, so we had to dump it all onto my lawn. Too bad that I didn’t think of using a spigot, and would have been able to have plenty of free rain water.
Chelsea Lipford Wolf
Ahh! Too bad! It’s the thought that counts?? ~Chelsea
Kathleen Crenshaw
Great idea Chelsea! I love the planter options. Can’t wait to make one for my flower gardens.
Erin
Would you want a top for it (around the spout)? I’d be afraid mosquitos will set up shop in it.
Jimmy
Looks Great like the planter
Marie
Just want to encourage you to put a cover on your rain ‘barrel.’ We live out a little way from the city, but have had small animals climb up to take a drink and fall in. I know you have small children and that situation just makes one you don’t want to have to go to with explanations. Mosquitoes are also a concern.
Dawn G Porfirio-Milton
Hi Chelsea,
My Husband and I really enjoy watching Today’s Homeowner. I did not see the show in which you made the rain barrel so he told me about it. What a great idea!
I have been wanting some sort of rain collection system, so I decided to make this project. Unfortunately, the Home Depot store I went to did not have any planters that would work. Also they did not sell spigots.
So I ended up ordering spigots online and buying a planter at one of Home Depot’s competitors.
I am very happy with my rain barrel. Thanks for the project!
Dawn