It's a common question, but surprisingly, many rainwater harvesting professionals do not recommend using a first-flush diverter. This article explores the what's and why's of first flush, their drawbacks, and simpler solutions to ensure high quality irrigation water. Read More...
How do I measure the water level in my rain barrels? Although a careful feel can give you a really good hint, it's not easy to tell exactly where your water level is just by tapping. Read on to learn about a special tool and a hand-crafted technique for gauging the precise water level in your BlueBarrel System! Read More...
Mosquitoes need water to lay eggs and grow. Without proper prevention, rain barrels can become a breeding ground. Luckily, there are easy ways to keep mosquitos out of rain barrels. Read More...
Looking for a great summer project? Barrel docks, swim platforms, pontoon boats, and even floating picnic barges can all be built from recycled 55-gallon drums. Check out these creative barrel-based designs and get inspired for your next waterfront build. Read More...
Get inspired by BlueBarrel customers across the USA. See how they've customized their own BlueBarrel Rainwater Catchment Systems® for a wide range of rainwater harvesting projects. Read More...
Learn how to irrigate from rain barrels with a simple gravity-fed drip irrigation system. In this step-by-step tutorial, Jesse demonstrates how adjustable bubbler emitters make it easy to water ornamental gardens and irregular planting layouts without a pump. Read More...
April is Earth Month, but the environmental benefits of collecting rainwater hold year-round! How can rain barrels help the planet? Most of us know rainwater harvesting is good for the environment, but we need a little help explaining why. Read on to understand why rainwater harvesting is oh-so-good for Mother Earth... Read More...
Follow Sarah step-by-step as she sets up a simple gravity-fed drip irrigation system from rain barrels. Inline emitter tubing is ideal for raised beds, veggie rows, and other evenly spaced plantings—and the setup is easier than you think. Read More...
Sold as a customizable DIY kit, there is plenty of room for tailoring your BlueBarrel Rainwater Catchment System; to your space, and to your taste! Check out these creative foundation ideas submitted by our DIY customers. Read More...
Enjoy a virtual tour of the BlueBarrel Rainwater Catchment System at a garden center in Toledo. Join podcast hosts Mike O'Rourke and Scott Sandstrom to learn all about the system install, and view their video tour as well! Read More...
Irrigating with rainwater is wonderful because plants love the water so much. Fresh from the sky, rain is completely free of the salts, minerals, and chemicals found in other water sources. So now that your rain barrels are full, how do you get that super high-quality water over to your thirsty garden? This post offers a handful of tips on DIY drip irrigation, and how to automate your rain barrels with gravity. Read More...
Learn how to adapt your rainwater harvesting system when moving to a new climate. Discover efficient, modular water solutions for your new home. Read More...
For decades, mainstream building design has been shaped by speed, scale, and efficiency—often at the expense of health, connection, and longevity. Now, people are choosing homes that support the body, natural rhythms, and connection to place. These are the shifts shaping the regenerative home in 2026. Read More...
As we launch head-first into a new year, we're reflecting on the last one by sharing our most popular rain barrel videos of the year! Drumroll please... Read More...
In many North American climate zones, it rains during winter when we're not irrigating. So what can we do with full rain barrels while we wait for irrigation season to start up again? Plenty! Read on for 10 ways to use stored rainwater this winter. Read More...
At this time of year, your rain barrels are probably full! Learn three ways to winterize rain barrels based on your climate zone, and your drip irrigation system too! Read More...
Just how does water get from the roof into a rain barrel anyway? This article demystifies downspout diverters for rain barrels, including creative approaches for non-standard downspouts. Learn about automatic overflow handling, and more! Read More...
Check out Mike & Judy's guide to rain barrel painting. That's right, they're painting their barrels to match the house. Many of our customers ask us why the barrels are blue, and how to paint them. This article includes a step-by-step for how to paint barrels - any color you like! Read More...
If you're thinking about rainwater harvesting (also known as roof-water harvesting!), you may be wondering about the best roofing materials for rainwater collection. Whether you're working with existing conditions, or spec-ing out a brand new roof, we've got expert advice for you. The good news is Read More...
Enjoy a series of podcast interviews with BlueBarrel's founder, Jesse Savou. Join hosts Neal Collins, Izumi Tanaka, Mike O'Rourke, and Scott Sandstrom to learn about DIY rainwater harvesting, our journey as a company, the values behind our business, and how our offerings have evolved to what you see right here in our Online Store today! Read More...
Get inspired by our DIY highlight of the season. BlueBarrel customer David shares photos of his BlueBarrel System®, including double diverters, winterization, and gravity-fed drip irrigation to his vegetable garden. Read More...
At BlueBarrel, we hear this question all the time: Is it safe to irrigate my vegetable garden with rainwater from the roof, stored in used barrels? The short answer: Yes, it’s a smart, sustainable move for your garden and your water bill. Let’s walk through why using rainwater for vegetables is not only considered safe, but also beneficial. Read More...
When shopping for water barrels—especially the popular blue plastic drums we sell in our online store—you’ll come across terms like “food grade” and “food safe.” These labels sound similar, but when it comes to used barrels, the distinction matters. Our barrels are made of food-grade plastic. They're perfect for re-use as rain barrels, composters, floating docks, and more. Read on for important safety definitions when it comes to used barrels. Read More...
There are two kinds of people (or so we like to say!): those who boast their blue, and those who's first question is how to keep their rain barrels hidden from sight. We're here with a handful of great ideas for decorating, masking, and blending your rain barrels into your landscape - inspired by our very own customers across the USA. Read More...
It's garden tour season and we've had a number of BlueBarrel Rainwater Catchment System™ sightings across the USA! Read More...
Learn all you need to know about rain diverters, leaf eaters, and first flush! This post includes videos demo-ing special adapters and upgrades to get CLEAN rainwater into your barrels, tanks, or cisterns. Read More...
Rain barrels are great, but what if you don't have room right next to your downspouts? Not a problem! Read on to get inspired by BlueBarrel customers all over the USA who have crafted inlet hose extensions using our longer inlet hose option. Read More...
This article was written in response to the October 2017 wildfires that devastated the City of Santa Rosa in northern California; republished in January 2025 as even bigger wildfires ravage southern California. Read More...
As we launch head-first into a new year, we're reflecting on 2024 by sharing the most popular rain barrel videos of the year! Drumroll please... Read More...
As a rainwater harvesting professional and owner of a company selling rain barrels nationwide since 2012, it's one of the more common questions I get: Aren't rain barrels illegal? Luckily, (and spoiler alert...) they are not. But don't take my word for it! This article is full of fun facts and links to regs allowing rainwater harvesting in all 50 states. Read More...
It's one of our most frequently asked questions: Can I stack rain barrels vertically? The quick answer is yes. But there are some safety considerations as well as functional ones. Check out our customer highlights for real live examples of stacked systems that work and others that don't. Read More...
This post is a reprint of a letter to BlueBarrel's owner, from one of our participating barrel suppliers in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Read More...
Can you convert old pre-drilled barrels into a planned BlueBarrel System™? Or patch up ruptures (or oopsies!) in your barrels or downspouts to restore water-tightness? Now with special watertight plugs, and fool-proof patches, the answer is yes! Read More...
You’ve seen them everywhere: along the side of the road, in refuse yards, in your neighbor’s garage (or maybe even your own!); and repurposed into all kinds of things like ballasts, floats, storage bins, planters, and of course rain barrels. What could we be talking about? 55-gallon blue plastic barrels – what else?! This blog post contains everything you ever wanted to know (and more!) about the ever-present blue food-grade drum. Read More...
Get inspired by our DIY highlight of the season. BlueBarrel customer Danny shares photos of his three BlueBarrel Systems™ collecting from four downspouts, including some easy customizations. Read More...
It's no secret that plants prefer rainwater head-and-shoulders (or should we say "leaves-and-stalks!") above any other water source. And why is this? There's more than must one reason. Do you know all four reasons that plants prefer Mother Nature's rain? Read More...
A well-designed downspout diverter is the key piece that takes water from your downspout into rain barrels. This article covers how to measure your downspouts for a tight-fitting diverter. Read More...
Gutters and downspouts are an essential part of the drainage system on any home. They are also necessary for efficient collection of rainwater. For those who like to tackle their own home projects, this article combines a variety of resources for DIY gutter installation, repair, and maintenance. Read More...
As a company specializing in multi-barrel rain catchment systems, we often get asked about the benefits of single vs. multi-barrel approaches, and we have options for both! Read More...
Most of us dread getting on the roof to clean out the gutters, but a seasonal cleanout is recommended especially for rainwater harvesters. This article contains tips for how to safely clean your gutters without a ladder, and how to use a leaf eater to keep debris out of your rain barrels! Read More...
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