20 Genius Rainwater Hacks Every Gardener Must Know (Beginners to Pros!)

Rainwater is far superior for plants compared to tap water, primarily because it lacks chlorine and chloramine, which can be harmful to plant health. Today, I'll walk you through my process of collecting an impressive 5,500 gallons of rainwater using an IBC (Intermediate Bulk Container) system. I'll demonstrate how I efficiently distribute this water throughout my garden, making my gardening tasks simpler and more sustainable. Additionally, I'll provide tips on the optimal placement of your IBC system to ensure easy access and maximum convenience. Let’s get started on transforming your garden into a thriving, eco-friendly oasis.
Books authored by Tony O'Neill
Simplify Vegetable Gardening geni.us/Simpli...
Composting Masterclass geni.us/Compos...
Your First Vegetable Garden geni.us/Yourfi...
Links To Products Mentioned
Bosch Home and Garden Cordless Submersible Water Pump GardenPump
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3500GPH Bilge pump geni.us/3500gp...
1100GPH Bilge Pump geni.us/1100gp...
Hozelock Telescopic Spray Lance. geni.us/Hozelo...
Ecoflow Power Bank Delta 2 Max geni.us/Ecoflo...
Gemho 5AH Battery for Bosch Submersible Water Pump
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[@Allotment-diaryUk]

It does help Tony as it p#sses down all the time in Wales 😅

[@lksf9820]

That's a big job and a lot of water! It's a good idea to cover your IBCs long term, they aren't made from UV resistant plastic so eventually go brittle and crack.

[@0MrENigma0]

Without even watching yet I just have to Thumbs Up for your efforts.

[@simplifygardening]

I appreciate that!

[@Nellyontheland]

SPECTACULAR! Considering this is a hobby, you have done wonders. Thanks so much for the inspiration.

[@simplifygardening]

Thank you very much!

[@GardenerScott]

That is an amazing system you designed and built, Tony! Great explanation and example for gardeners who want an effective watering setup with rainwater.

[@myrustygarden]

We have watering bans here already but luckily it never effects veg watering. Good to see you back Tony, Ali 🌞🌞🇨🇦

[@simplifygardening]

So nice of you

[@loryd8606]

So greatful that I have my own well!

[@simplifygardening]

Well is ideal

[@toddshook1765]

Thanks Tony. Rain harvesting is the best way for water use. A 1000 square foot surface with 1” of rainfall will collect 600 gallons. I am designing a rain roof to collect. Where I am in high desert we get 5-7 inches per year. I need a big one.

[@csillaerdos-kelly9689]

That’s an amazing setup!!!! 😊

[@simplifygardening]

I think so too!

[@DebbieinNWiltshire]

Hi Tony - sorry to have missed you at Malvern - I went on Thursday (we all lucked out on weather for it - so good). Your rainwater system is such an inspiration… I already have upgrading rainwater collection on my project to do list for next winter - I’m looking to harvest about 4000l in IBCs so mine won’t be a patch on yours. I like the idea of linking them across the site.. but I don’t think I’ll install the battery pump infrastructure for fear of someone nicking it. I’ll probably use a portable generator/power station - unless you can offer other suggestions…. Also your latest book is becoming an absolute bible - thanks for investing so much time, thought and love into it. Cheers Deb

[@simplifygardening]

you dont leave the pumps in. you just drop them in as you need it

[@potagermalo]

Superbe vidéo 😊😊😊

[@billbirkbeck4113]

Great video ... i have the same system set up as this which runs off a 12v bilge pump it's certainly a game changer when shifting water around the plot. I like the smaller pump idea with the hosepipe attached ( nicked that idea 😉 ) 👍👍

[@EmuMan44]

Would love a deeper dive on the drip subsystem and the pump spec

[@michelenix1562]

❤ Very smart system! 👏

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks

[@kiteclem35]

excellent work Tony !

[@MDSanto-di3ki]

Wow ! Really Nice System.

[@simplifygardening]

Glad you like it!

[@dazie1245]

Thank you got sharing

[@simplifygardening]

Thank you too

[@sheilam4964]

You have an amazing garden and setup that I wish to have (do for myself) someday. Thx for doing this, filming it and sharing it with us.

[@simplifygardening]

You are so welcome!

[@nidge2822]

Absolutely fantastic set up tony ,if only i could do something like this ,must have a look around for water barrels or ibc 😅

[@simplifygardening]

That would be cool

[@susanelwood5794]

I have 3 large butts connected to each other then connected to a tap fixed to the fence. Collects all the water from my roof and conservatory. It’s a very simple set up. You need a gadget for the drain pipe that alters the flow.

[@susanelwood5794]

Great set up😊. Where did you get the wrought iron bed ends from?

[@nidge2822]

Hi there,I've got an ibc tank and 3 big blue barrels and conected them together with pieces of hose pipe ,it's working a treat 😅

[@s.z.6200]

Wow, what an incredible system.

[@dnawormcastings]

Great looking garden 🇳🇿❤️

[@rickthelian2215]

I do like to water my garden with rain water 💦, but I only use drums or big bind😊 Sorry about the chickens 🐓 Tony damn Fox 🦊

[@manolstoyanov2946]

Amazing Well done, Tony

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks

[@totalprecisioncarpenter5922]

Great video and system you have in place

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks!

[@catherinelash3036]

Thank you, Tony!

[@simplifygardening]

My pleasure!

[@franksinatra1070]

That's incredible Tony! I would never be able to do anything that elaborate but was thinking of getting a rain barrel. The problem is we don't get nearly the rains you get over there and other than my small shed there are no structures with large roofs I can use to collect rainwater. I do often put out trash cans and buckets in the garden to catch the rain water during rainy periods so that's better than nothing I guess. Happy gardening!

[@simplifygardening]

Every little helps though so whatever you can collect is a bonus

[@vigab9601]

Thank you! I am on a well and towards the end of summer sometimes run out of water if I water the garden too much. I need to look into getting some IBCs to catch some Vancouver Island's abundant winter rain.

[@simplifygardening]

Yes that will really help

[@seansmart2756]

That’s amazing! I only have 1x240l atm and I use it in 2 days. Defo need more ❤

[@simplifygardening]

You can do it!

[@hevchip741]

Im very interested to know how you keep the tanks clean inside, mine are a bit gungy, am thinking of painting them as the vovers i bought fell apart.

[@VEWNZ]

The neatest tidiest most organised garden Ive seen

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks

[@tassiegirl1991]

Thanks

[@simplifygardening]

Wow! Thank you very much Tassiegirl I really appreciate that

[@tassiegirl1991]

@@simplifygardening I have learned from your podcasts and books and continue to try to hang on to the information in my older age so the latest free booklet is invaluable.

[@zenzen9131]

Totally excellent system Tony. I'm just about to set up my tiny automatic watering system for my 4 tomato plants ! I've got 2 x 66 gallon butts next to the greenhouse and a simple timer working a 12v pump keeps my plants happy for my 2 weeks summer holiday :) I'm on the coast in Porthcawl so not so far from you mate :)

[@simplifygardening]

Awesome just on the coast

[@MrHenkeeper]

Have you thought about putting the IBCs underground?

[@dazie1245]

I'm just starting with my first 4 totes

[@simplifygardening]

Nice that all helps

[@bristolveggiebeds5310]

Amazing set up, but on Bristol allotments we're not allowed hose pipes, and we're not allowed any irrigation systems!

[@mariGentle]

Wow! Is that with a view to save piped in tap water. Would thats still be a rule if you gathered your own water, you would need roof tops and guttering.

[@bristolveggiebeds5310]

@@mariGentle I think that is to save tap water, but even if I used rain water I still don't think irrigation is allowed, because they don't trust people not to use the tap with it!

[@GARDENER42]

Hi Tony. Note the Bosch pump is 18v not 12v. Disappointingly, Bosch have chosen to use a completely different 18v battery & charger to the ones on all their "blue" professional tools.

[@simplifygardening]

Yes but I link to a 5 ah replacement that’s very cheap

[@lst854]

How do you control mosquitoes and water bugs in your open top containers?

[@GrowBigTVwithJoeandKorky]

Boom

[@svLibertalia]

You want to cover all those tanks, you get cisterns that are much better at preserving (drinking) water quality of rainwater since no photosynthesis occurs inside

[@simplifygardening]

This is just for the garden, its not drinking water

[@WhatWeDoChannel]

What an incredible system! My only possible source for water collection is the roof of my house, I have heard some people say the shingles we use may contaminate the water, I wonder what you think of that?

[@simplifygardening]

Only way to be sure is collect a sample and send it for testing

[@simplifygardening]

Thanks Appreciate it

[@larrypope5784]

Hi mate how do you manage to reduce the pipe size from the pump to hosepipe size

[@simplifygardening]

i use a reducer but for the ones that are for the spuds and greenhouses they are already a 13mm outlet

[@rob-oe4wr]

Great idea, Tony. Do you have a filter, to clear leaves that comes down guttering.

[@simplifygardening]

Yes I do

[@thadwilen4302]

Very nice! Thank you. Do you have algae issues? And how are you handling it?

[@simplifygardening]

Not much because the water is moving when I send it about so it rarely becomes an issue

[@tillybud2003]

Bloody hell That is an allotment on steroids Have to say, I’m well impressed If we have a drought, I know where to go😝😝👍👍

[@peterdavis3934]

I saw a recommendation from Tony for Giraffe Tools Hose and decided to buy one, they sent the wrong item and I can’t get an answer from them. Customer service is very poor. Stick with Hozelock?😮

[@simplifygardening]

Giraffe not answering you? pass your details on to me I will chase up with you

[@markhartgrove9836]

How do you keep the mosquitos out of the IBCs that are open?

[@simplifygardening]

Because the water I am moving all the time i dont get those issues. its not standing water

[@philipareed]

Which gallon?

[@tonystephengrayson]

And theres me with an allotment, but just 1 wheelie bin (that leaks) for collecting water😂

[@simplifygardening]

lol that would t work for me haha 😜

[@tonystephengrayson]

@simplifygardening Oh it doesn't work for me either, I'm just beginning. Already struggling for room to be honest so it's going to take some thought

[@lagunaloire7446]

With the open-top IBCs for filling water cans, I'd be worried about either contaminants falling into the water, or losing a bunch of water to evaporation. Have you noticed any issues like this in your system?

[@simplifygardening]

No probs at all if worried you could place a cover over

[@tillybud2003]

Elephant in the room Where are the veg?

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

Would love to have an IBC, but I couldn't get it into the back garden as there is no access.

[@simplifygardening]

That’s a shame

[@Fletcher91]

I have my doubts with plastic water storage, can't help but think it spreads microplastics all over your garden.

[@Idkwhy-jh7ke]

Those kind of containers are microplastics safe

[@Fletcher91]

@@Idkwhy-jh7ke I don't think that's possible with any plastic.

[@Idkwhy-jh7ke]

@@Fletcher91 Not all plastic breaks down into microplastics. Besides the same material used in those containers are used in the pipes most people drink from.

[@JoyoftheGardenandHome]

Oh no! Poor chickies 😢 Have to clean out my 1 tank that I use primarily for the chickens, I do get algae, need to paint it soon.

[@simplifygardening]

You can do it!

[@bigonprivacy2708]

How big is your garden land? acres?

[@simplifygardening]

I dunno it’s 195ft by 75ft

[@bigonprivacy2708]

@@simplifygardening wow, less than a half acre. You are hugely productive in that amount of space

[@s9josh778]

unsubscribed because SG hacking my feed with a never ending Premier. I've seen the Spiffing Britt Premier hack video too.

[@1PageAtATime]

what are you on about mate?

[@jonnycoolg]

Haven't seen that myself

[@simplifygardening]

I have no idea what your on about