A rain barrel is the easiest way to collect rainwater and use it in the garden - without any effort, directly at the downpipe. Rainwater is low in lime and free of additives and is therefore ideal for beds, potted plants, lawns and greenhouses. At BioGreen you will find rain barrels in different sizes, shapes and looks: from the slim model for the balcony to the large storage tank for the garden.
Buy a rain barrel: collect rainwater and use it sustainably
If you water regularly, you will quickly use up large amounts of drinking water in summer. A rain barrel collects the water that runs off the roof anyway and then makes it available when it is needed - in dry weeks. This reduces your water costs and protects the water supply, while at the same time the plants enjoy soft, tempered water instead of cold tap water.
Different sizes, shapes and looks
Compact, narrow bins fit on the wall of the house, on the balcony or in small courtyard gardens. For larger areas, models with high volume that can bridge longer dry phases are worthwhile. Decorative variants with a natural stone, clay, granite or barrel look fit unobtrusively into the garden design instead of standing out as a pure water container.
Choose the right model
These points decide whether the bin really fits in everyday life:
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Volume: depends on the connected roof area and watering requirements - large beds and greenhouses need more reserve than a few pots.
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Material: Plastic is lightweight, weather-resistant and easy to clean; Wood and barrel look looks more natural.
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Location: level, stable ground near the downpipe. When filled, each ton weighs several hundred kilograms.
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Lid: keeps leaves, dirt and insects out and is the most important safeguard when children or pets are in the garden.
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Connection: Rain collectors or downspout filters must match the diameter of your downspout.
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Water withdrawal: Outlet tap plus base if you want to place a watering can underneath - or a pump for the garden hose.
Place the bin on a base or a few paving slabs. This means you can easily get the watering can under the spout and use the water up to almost the last liter - without a pump.
Accessories for your rain barrel: expand, filter, connect
Only the accessories turn the container into a functioning system. Outlet taps, downpipe filters, overflow stops and connection sets ensure that the water arrives cleanly, drains in a controlled manner and the storage can be expanded at any time. With a connection set you can connect several tons and increase your volume without reconnecting the downpipe.
What the right accessories bring
A filter retains leaves and coarse dirt so that less sediment settles on the ground. An overflow stop directs excess water back into the downpipe instead of soaking the house wall. And a suitable submersible or garden pump brings the water directly into the hose - practical if beds are further away.
Stagnant water freezes and expands. Empty the rain barrel before the first frost, leave the drain tap open and set the rain collector to winter position - this prevents cracks in the barrel and fittings.
Frequently asked questions about rain barrels
The questions that arise most often before purchasing and during the first season:
How big should a rain barrel be?
As a guide: With 1 mm of precipitation, around 1 liter of water is produced per square meter of connected roof area. A small garage roof delivers many liters after just one heavy shower. But what matters is your consumption - if you supply beds, raised beds and a greenhouse, you should plan generously or combine two tons.
What helps against mosquito larvae in the rain barrel?
Mosquitoes only lay their eggs in open water areas. A tightly fitting lid or a fine-mesh net is therefore the most effective measure. If you empty the bin regularly, you are also interrupting development. For more severe infestations, biological tablets are available Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (B.t.i.), which have a targeted effect against larvae and do not harm plants or livestock.
How do I protect the rain barrel from frost?
Drain completely before winter, leave the tap and closures open and disconnect the inlet. It is best to store smaller bins upside down or under a roof so that no residual water collects. Only models that are frost-proof may be left outside filled.
When do you connect the rain barrel again in spring?
As soon as severe night frosts are no longer expected - in most regions from March to mid-April. Clean the inside of the barrel beforehand, rinse out the filter and set the rain collector back to collection mode.
Discover our rain barrels and the matching accessories below - and turn the next rain into your irrigation water.
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