How to Hide Your Rain Barrel

Rain barrels help to save money on your water bill and conserve water resources by harvesting rainfall. While there are plenty of good uses for rain barrel water, including gardening and washing the car, the biggest downside to having a rain barrel is aesthetics. The easiest way to hide your rain barrel is to paint it to match your house; paint it when you're building it or anytime it's empty. To more effectively camoflage it around the yard, create a natural green trellis that has function and beauty.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Chicken wire
• Wire cutters
• Shovel
• Potting soil
• Ivy starts

Instructions

1. Remove any sticks, rocks or other debris from the site, and dig a trench 8 to 12 inches wide around your rain barrel. Use your shovel to turn the dirt over to make it fluffy.

2. Measure the length of the trench with a measuring tape, and cut a section of chicken wire the length of your trench with wire cutters.

3. Lay the chicken wire along the trench. Sink long green garden stakes into the ground vertically, and rest the chicken wire against the stakes for support.

4. Plant the ivy starts at evenly spaced intervals along the trench. For variety, add a few types of ivy or combine ivy with another trellising plant. The ivy will fill out as it grows, but aim to space plants every 4 to 6 inches along the chicken wire for optimal coverage.

5. Fill in the trench with equal parts of potting soil and native soil. Water the plants thoroughly.

6. Arrange the ivy on the chicken wire as it grows to best hide your rain barrel. Trim away dead parts of the plant as needed. Continue to water the ivy when the soil dries out.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also use bamboo and nasturtium to hide your rain barrel.

References

• Aaron's Rain Barrels: FAQ