Water Butts

Increasing demand for water, combined with below-average rainfall nearly every month for over 2 years has resulted in a drought in the South East of England. In an effort to curb demand, Thames Water imposed a hosepipe and sprinkler ban in April 2006. For garden lovers this has made keeping your garden green and watered a difficult task, with the use of water butts becoming increasingly popular.

The most efficient way to install a water butt is to connect it to a drainnpipe so that it collects the rainwater that falls on the roof of your house. All you need to do is buy, then fit a downpipe connector kit. Make sure the water butt is positioned on flat ground on a butt stand to ensure it stays stable when full. A butt stand will also enable you to access the tap more easily. Finally, ensure you fit a childproof lid to reduce the risk of accidents.

There are essentially two types of water butts:

Wooden Water Butts

These tend to be more expensive than plastic water butts, but are generally more atractive. Restored oak barrels are particualrly atractive, and are available from companies such as the Woodpecker Joinery and Water Features Online. These water butts are ex-distillery oak barrels that weer used for maturing whisky and sherry. Alternatively companies such as Greenfingers stock a range of modern wooden water butts with more straightfroward aesthetics.

Plastic Water Butts

These water butts are perhaps less attractive than their wooden counterparts, but are often cheaper, bigger and lighter. The really big ones are pretty ugly, but they can be hidden away behind a shed, or down the end of the garden. If aesthetics are your thing, but you don't want to fork out for a wooden barrel, then you could consider the BeeHive water butt from Greenfingers.