Low Cost Water Butt Advice Please!

niksyg

I am desperately looking for a water butt to put in my garden...but, the cost is just ridiculous. Firstly I am really trying to climb out of debt so cannot justify spending nearly £30 on something that obviously cost pence to make!

I have been trawling freecycle and ebay and have asked friends and family for help but not getting anywhere...I really really want a water butt to reduce water useage in the home and have a more ethical garden (growing organic veg this year!)...help!

I got my composter subsidised by the council, and definitely think that they should run a similar scheme with water butts but can't find anything anywhere!

Help!!

Thanks!

Mortal

Have you tried your local water company? Sometimes they do some deals with water butts

tim_n

You don't have to have a bought waterbutt.

I have seen old baths used, though you'll still need to make a lid for it from a sheet of wood to stop wildlife drowning in it (frogs etc won't be able to get out unless you put a plank of wood in too), old water tanks (I have one in my loft earmarked for this exact use) old wheely bins (I have one buried 1/3 into my allotment which I dip my watering can in).

Alternatively dig a hole, line with plastic.

You don't need a tap at the bottom - dipping your watering can takes much less time to fill and you don't need worry that you'll leave it on by accident. But if you're desperate for one, you can just drill a hole at the bottom of whatever container you use and buy a tap from a hardware store. They're dead easy to fit and you only have to screw it together through the hole. I did it, it took minutes.

Instead of buying a stand, use old tyres filled with mud

btw wilkos do one for £16 at the moment.

niksyg

Mortal wrote: »

Have you tried your local water company? Sometimes they do some deals with water butts

I did..and they don't do any deals...boooo to P'mouth Water!

niksyg

tim_n wrote: »

You don't have to have a bought waterbutt.

I have seen old baths used, though you'll still need to make a lid for it from a sheet of wood to stop wildlife drowning in it (frogs etc won't be able to get out unless you put a plank of wood in too), old water tanks (I have one in my loft earmarked for this exact use) old wheely bins (I have one buried 1/3 into my allotment which I dip my watering can in).

Alternatively dig a hole, line with plastic.

You don't need a tap at the bottom - dipping your watering can takes much less time to fill and you don't need worry that you'll leave it on by accident. But if you're desperate for one, you can just drill a hole at the bottom of whatever container you use and buy a tap from a hardware store. They're dead easy to fit and you only have to screw it together through the hole. I did it, it took minutes.

Instead of buying a stand, use old tyres filled with mud

btw wilkos do one for £16 at the moment.

Thank you tim_n,

I think a wheelie bin or other old bin might have to do, as I am limited on space and so a bath etc would be too big. I'd rather re use than buy new...it's just finding something! Your message has given me new hope so I will go on the scout around this afternoon for ideas!!

Lotus-eater

An old wheelie bin? When I need something and don't want to pay anything for it (most of the time ) I have to cool my heels and wait for the right bit of someones rubbish to come along.
Start looking in skips (skip diving), be inventive, be cheap, be recycling minded, every time you see someone throwing something away, think, what can I use that for.
Most of all relax, a water butt is not mandatory, use tap water until the right thing turns up.

tim_n

I got one from when our local council decided to change our green waste system, they decided to change the colour of the lids and re-issue them and charge a fee for picking them up.

Otherwise you can pick those up fairly cheaply.

I know the factory shop does black waste bins for about £10. Not as sturdy though.

Suzy_M

A few ideas for making improvised water butts out of skip finds - lined with heavy duty bin liners if they leak -

Old leaky dustbins
Stacks of tyres
Old planters
Water tanks
Metal drums
Plastic drums

niksyg

Suzy_M wrote: »

A few ideas for making improvised water butts out of skip finds - lined with heavy duty bin liners if they leak -

Old leaky dustbins
Stacks of tyres
Old planters
Water tanks
Metal drums
Plastic drums

Thanks Suzy M...I got a big plastic barrel off freecycle, but it had been used for storing some kind of chemical so a bit dodgy?! I will get to it this weekend!

bebee_2

niksyg wrote: »

I am desperately looking for a water butt to put in my garden...but, the cost is just ridiculous. Firstly I am really trying to climb out of debt so cannot justify spending nearly £30 on something that obviously cost pence to make!

I have been trawling freecycle and ebay and have asked friends and family for help but not getting anywhere...I really really want a water butt to reduce water useage in the home and have a more ethical garden (growing organic veg this year!)...help!

I got my composter subsidised by the council, and definitely think that they should run a similar scheme with water butts but can't find anything anywhere!

Help!!

Thanks!

Don't know if this will Help but asda living are now on line and they do a water butt for £17.00 think it was about 200 litres Argos also do them but think they start at about £24

calleyw

bebee wrote: »

Don't know if this will Help but asda living are now on line and they do a water butt for £17.00 think it was about 200 litres Argos also do them but think they start at about £24

Could you post a link. Can't find it on asda.

Yours


Calley