5 great reasons to use a water butt

There are 5 great reasons to use a water butt in your garden. If you are in the USA then I think you call it a water barrel but here in the UK we use the more comical name. Whichever name you choose to give them, storing rain water and using it on your garden is a bit of a no brainer. Here are five great reasons why you should go to the trouble of doing this. Once you have you won’t regret it.

A water butt is simply a way to collect and store rainwater which you can then use later on your garden. They are simple to fit using a downpipe from the gutters on you house, garage, shed or greenhouse and come in a variety of sizes. If you don’t want to go to the effort of carrying a watering can around your garden, you can get a small submersible pump which will fit inside the butt and attach your garden hose. For example Kärcher 1.645-801.0 SP 9.500 Dirt Submersible Pump, Yellow

Whichever method you choose here are some great reasons why you should consider collecting the rainwater in your garden.

One – rainwater is good for your plants

Rainwater is great for all of your plants as it has a balanced ph. It does not have some of the harsh chemicals which the treated water coming from your tap may have. It is also a similar temperature Whether your garden is full of glorious flowers; you grow fruit and vegetables for your table (or a mixture of both) rainwater is great for all of them.

Two – it can save you money

The majority of houses in the UK these days run on a water meter. Anything metered utility costs you money directly. Watering the garden may not be the most expensive cost in the house but added to the rising costs of all the other utilities, groceries etc it is cost you can reduce.

Three – reduces run off

By installing one, or more, water butts in your garden you will be able to reduce the amount of water run off you have. Most urban and suburban areas consist of large areas of hard surfaces, such as roads, pavements and driveways, which do not absorb rainwater. Instead it runs off into the gutters and drains. This then goes through the water system and has to be treated or runs off into streams and rivers often taking polluting chemicals with it.

Four – it helps reduce your carbon footprint

Water which is delivered to your house through the domestic pipe system has to go through a huge filtration and purification system, to ensure its safety. As a result the energy costs involved in treating and distributing this water are enormous. Any contribution you can make to reducing the amount of water you use domestically will help to reduce your carbon footprint, thereby helping the planet.

Five – help to beat a hosepipe ban

By having a supply of rainwater ready in stock any hosepipe ban we may have during a dry summer will have a minimal effect on your garden. As our climate is changing it is possible drought conditions will become more common each year. Keeping a water butt in your garden will help to ensure you have water readily available for your plants during dry spells.

For other gardening tips see my blog at Home – Sueps House