Pro tip: Building a rain barrel from a recycled drum is easier than you'd think.

William Barnes · 2026-03-05T00:20:40.727288+00:00

More folks are catching on to how simple it is to set up a water catch system, saving on bills and helping the garden.

Read somewhere that you gotta use a food-grade barrel or else old soap residues might mess with your plants. Cleaned mine with a bit of baking soda and it worked fine. @betty_shah is totally right about the overflow, learned that after my first big storm... water everywhere. Raising the barrel on bricks lets you fit a watering can underneath easier.

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betty_shah6mo ago

Did you remember to drill an overflow hole? I learned that the hard way last spring.

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nathan1195mo ago

What's the best way to find a cheap food-grade barrel locally?

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