6 Best Plastic Rain Barrels For Small Gardens That Save on Water Bills
Explore the 6 best plastic rain barrels for small gardens. These compact solutions help you conserve water, reduce runoff, and lower your monthly water bills.
Watching the sky open up while your tomatoes are wilting is a frustrating feeling for any gardener. A simple rain barrel turns that frustration into a resource, capturing free water right where you need it most. For small gardens, choosing the right barrel is key to maximizing this benefit without sacrificing precious space.
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Why Your Small Garden Needs a Rain Barrel
Rainwater is fundamentally better for your plants than treated tap water. It’s naturally soft, slightly acidic, and free of the chlorine and other chemicals that municipalities use, which can be harsh on soil microbes and sensitive plants. Think of it as the water your garden was designed to drink.
The practical benefits are immediate. Your water bill will drop, but more importantly, you gain a degree of water security. During a mid-summer dry spell or under municipal watering restrictions, having 50 or 60 gallons of high-quality water in reserve is a game-changer. That’s enough to keep your container plants, new seedlings, and thirstiest vegetable beds happy when they need it most.
In a small garden, convenience is everything. A rain barrel isn’t just a reservoir; it’s a watering station right where the work happens. It saves you from dragging a kinked hose from the front of the house to the back garden patch. This simple change makes the daily chore of watering faster, easier, and more enjoyable.
Good Ideas Rain Wizard: Classic and Reliable
The Rain Wizard is the definition of a workhorse. It’s what most people picture when they think of a rain barrel—a sturdy, no-nonsense plastic drum designed for one job. It’s not trying to win any design awards, but it is built to last for years in the sun and cold.
Its best feature is often the flat-back design, which allows it to sit snugly against a wall without a big, awkward gap. This is a surprisingly important detail for keeping walkways clear. Most models also come with a high-quality brass spigot, which is far more durable than the cheap plastic taps that break after a season or two. A fine mesh screen keeps mosquitoes and leaf litter out of your water supply.
The main tradeoff here is aesthetics. It looks like a utility item because that’s exactly what it is. But if your primary concerns are durability, function, and a fair price, the Rain Wizard is one of the most reliable choices you can make. It’s a perfect starter barrel that simply gets the job done.
RTS Flat Back Barrel: Best for Tight Spaces
When every square inch of your patio or side yard counts, the RTS Flat Back Barrel is a top contender. Its entire design is optimized for tight spaces. The pronounced flat back lets it press directly against your foundation, making it one of the most unobtrusive rigid barrels on the market.
Beyond its slim profile, the design details are smart. The faux-wood or stone texture helps it blend into the background much better than a plain plastic drum. Critically, the spigot is often placed high enough on the barrel to easily fit a 2-gallon watering can underneath without having to awkwardly tip it. This small ergonomic feature makes a huge difference in daily use.
You will often pay a bit more for this thoughtful design compared to a more basic model of the same capacity. Also, be aware that if you plan to link multiple barrels together, you may need to use their specific, sometimes proprietary, connector kits. But for solving the specific problem of "I have no room for a barrel," the RTS is frequently the best answer.
Algreen Agua Cascata: Stylish and Functional
Let’s face it: most rain barrels are not particularly attractive. The Algreen Agua Cascata and similar decorative models tackle this problem head-on. They are designed to look like large ceramic urns or stone planters, turning a purely functional item into a landscape feature.
Many of these stylish barrels incorporate a built-in planter at the top. This is a brilliant touch, allowing you to plant trailing flowers like petunias or even herbs like thyme. The barrel ceases to be just a water tank and becomes an integrated part of your garden’s design. It’s a perfect solution for highly visible areas, like a front porch or a backyard patio where you entertain.
This aesthetic upgrade comes at a premium price. You’re paying for the look as much as the function. You also need to check the spigot placement; some decorative models place it very low to the ground, forcing you to elevate the entire heavy barrel on blocks to get proper clearance for a watering can. If appearance is a top priority, however, the extra cost and effort are easily justified.
FCMP Outdoor Catcher: Simple, Effective Design
The FCMP Outdoor Catcher represents a middle ground between pure utility and high-end decor. It doesn’t pretend to be made of wood or clay; instead, it embraces its form as a clean, modern, and well-designed plastic tank. Its simple, often rectangular, shape can feel more at home in a contemporary garden setting.
The focus here is on robust and simple functionality. These barrels are typically molded from thick, UV-resistant polyethylene that resists fading and cracking. The intake system is often a wide, screened channel that catches water efficiently from the downspout while preventing debris from getting in. Everything about it feels solid and engineered for longevity.
This is the barrel for the gardener who appreciates good tool design. It’s not the cheapest option, nor is it the most ornate. It’s a choice for someone who values straightforward, durable construction and a clean aesthetic over rustic charm. It’s a practical, reliable tool for the modern small farm.
Mirainbarrel Collapsible: Easy Off-Season Storage
One of the biggest hassles of a traditional rain barrel is what to do with it in the winter. A big, empty plastic drum takes up a surprising amount of space in a shed or garage. The collapsible rain barrel is the elegant solution to this exact problem.
Constructed from a heavy-duty, UV-resistant PVC tarpaulin supported by internal posts, the entire unit can be assembled in minutes. When the growing season is over, you simply drain it, disassemble it, and fold it flat. It can be stored in a small box on a shelf, making it the absolute best choice for gardeners with zero off-season storage space, or even for renters who need a portable solution.
The primary tradeoff is durability. While the material is tough, it’s not as puncture-proof as a rigid, molded barrel. You have to be more careful with sharp garden tools or leaning things against it. It’s a specialized product for a specific need, but if that need is portability and compact storage, nothing else comes close.
Upcycle 55-Gallon Drum: A Frugal DIY Option
For the hands-on gardener, nothing beats the value of a repurposed 55-gallon drum. With a little effort, you can create a highly effective rain barrel for a fraction of the cost of a new one. Look for them on local marketplace sites or ask at businesses like car washes, food processors, or beverage companies.
The single most important rule is to only use a food-grade barrel. Never, ever use a drum that has held industrial chemicals, solvents, or oils, as trace amounts can leach into your water and contaminate your garden. Once you have a safe barrel, you’ll need a conversion kit or individual parts—a spigot, an overflow fitting, and a screen for the top—and a drill to install them.
The obvious benefit is the incredibly low cost. The downside is the time and potential for error. You have to make sure your fittings are sealed properly to prevent annoying drips. It’s a fantastic weekend project that gives you a great sense of accomplishment, but if you’re not confident with basic tools, buying a pre-made barrel is the more reliable path.
Siting and Maintaining Your New Rain Barrel
Where you put your rain barrel is just as important as which one you buy. It must be placed on a completely level and stable surface directly under a downspout. A full 50-gallon barrel weighs over 400 pounds; a soft or uneven base is a tipping hazard waiting to happen. Compacted gravel or a few flat paving stones make an excellent foundation.
Gravity is your best friend for water pressure. Elevating your barrel on a few stacked cinder blocks or a purpose-built stand makes a world of difference. This extra height provides the pressure needed to fill a watering can quickly and is essential if you ever want to attach a soaker hose for slow, passive irrigation directly to your garden beds.
Maintenance is minimal but crucial. Regularly check the screen on top and clear away any leaves or debris that could block water flow or decompose in your tank. At the end of the season, especially in climates with freezing winters, you must drain the barrel completely and disconnect it from the downspout. An icy block of water will expand and easily crack even the thickest plastic.
Choosing a rain barrel isn’t just about saving water; it’s about making your gardening life easier and more resilient. Pick the one that fits your space and style, and you’ll wonder how you ever managed without that free, nutrient-rich water on tap.
