ARTFUL RAIN BARRELS

Whimsical Forest - Custom painted rain barrel for the Children's Garden at Cleveland Botanical Gardens, Cleveland, OH

Home on the Chagrin River - Custom painted rain barrel depicting a client's home on the Chagrin River, OH

My painted rain barrel is hooked to the gutter using a simple diverter (about $20 at Lowe's) and also has an overflow hose that goes back into the gutter.  For such a little device, it fills the barrel very quickly.  Research shows that on average, a rain barrel can provide you with 1300 gallons  of rain water per year! That's a lot of money if you pay for your water.

I love using this rain water to water my flowers.  Later, I added a short hose (about 4') so that I didn't disrupt the flowers as much.  I use multiple watering cans to have one filling as I water with the other. So fun!!