We’ve wanted to get a rain barrel for a while now. And last month we found one for a great price, so we somehow squeezed it into our small trunk and looked forward to our next big rain.

Installation was pretty easy. We had to put an S-connector onto a gutter, and build up a little platform with spare bricks. Shortly after we set up the barrel, we had a great rain. It was so heavy that our 50-gallon rain barrel overflowed!

We were able to water our raised beds and some planters for a week with that rain. And just as we were running low, it rained heavily again.

The water pressure the first couple of days after the rain is great. It does get low toward the end, but it still usable.

I was initially worried about mosquitoes (our backyard is full of them!) but there’s a screen on the top of the barrel that keeps mosquitoes out.

Not only is this barrel saving us money, it’s also saving our area water. Our area hasn’t issued a water notice this summer, but they usually have to every summer.