Make Every Drop Count
Let’s face it, trusting the British weather forecast is a bit like betting on a three-legged horse. One minute it’s sunshine and smiles, the next it’s sideways rain. But whether the sun’s out or not, there is no bad time for greenhouse owners to get serious about collecting rainwater. Why? Because when those inevitable dry spells hit (and they will), having a stash of free, plant-loving water at the ready can make all the difference between a thriving greenhouse and a wilted disappointment.
Rainwater: Nature’s Original Plant Food
Tap water might be fine for your morning brew, but for your garden? Not ideal. Rainwater is naturally soft, free from the salts, chemicals, and treatments often found in mains water. That means your plants get a gentler, more natural drink, and they’ll thank you for it with stronger roots, better blooms, and bumper crops.
So, What Is Rainwater Harvesting?
In simple terms, rainwater harvesting is the practice of catching and storing rainwater so you can use it later. When water butts and barrels are full, you’re basically holding onto free water to use when the weather turns dry, or the hosepipe ban hits.
It’s not just good for your plants, it’s good for your wallet and even better for the environment. Less mains water used means a lighter carbon footprint, and it’s a small, satisfying step toward living more sustainably.
How It Works (Spoiler: It’s Really Easy)
If you’ve got a greenhouse, you’re already halfway there. Greenhouse gutters are designed to capture every precious drop that hits your roof. From there, the water travels down greenhouse downpipes and into your chosen barrel or tank. And Voilà – a natural water supply, no purifying or filtering needed.
Even better? If your greenhouse has two gutters, you could connect both gutters to a single outlet, which means you’d only need one barrell. No juggling containers or tripping over mismatched tubs in the garden. There are advantages and disadvantages with the ‘2-into-1″ method: we like that the barrell is stored at the back of the greenhouse, keeping it out of sight. But we also dislike it being at the back of the greenhouse as it’s a longer walk to get your water. You also have to bear in mind that you’d only have one barrell of water supply – which means if anything happens where the water becomes contaminated (remember to disconnect your pipes before you clean your greenhouse), then you’ve lost all the water you’ve saved, rather than just one barrell.
Tailored to You
We offer complete rainwater collection kits that fit perfectly with our greenhouses on our website, and they’re quick to install, even if you’re more “green-fingered” than handy with a spanner.
So, Why Bother?
✅ It’s free (and who doesn’t love free?)
✅ It’s better for your plants
✅ It’s kinder to the planet
✅ It saves you money
✅ It keeps you prepared for dry spells
Getting started takes next to no time, and your garden will love you for it. Plus, you can feel good knowing you’re doing your part for the planet, all while trimming a bit off your water bill.
So, what are you waiting for? The next rainy day could be watering your tomatoes in two weeks’ time.
Visit our rainwater collection file under ‘Spares & Accessories‘ for a range of rainwater collection options.
Your plants, your purse, and the planet will thank you.
