Since we're on the 'frugal gardening' forum, why not find a food grade barrel and buy a barrel tap from Lee Valley? ;) I found food grade barrels for $5 each (with lids) from a vinegar plant in the next town. Might be worth asking around to see where you can purchase one. Every commercial rain barrel I've seen is pretty spendy!

Kristine in Ontario

Here is a link that might be useful: Rain Barrel Project

I was lucky to find a place nearby that sells 50 gallon food grade plastic barrels for 10 bucks ! After adding a $3.98 spigot i've got 2 , 50 gallon barrels of rainwater for my plants for under 30 dollars ! My exotics and carnivorous plants love it ! Don't forget to add some screen over the top so you don't have to worry about those pesky mosquitoes !

I use full size whiskey barrels with the top end cut out.
Put a spigot in one but find I generally just 'dip' my container to refill. I make up 'sachets' of BT wich I weight and sink in the barrel and don't seem to have the mosquito problem so don't bother with the screen. Sachets are easy to recover when I dump the barrel before winter sets in.

I have no idea where you live, but they have rain barrels at the store down the street from me. You can build your own from a kit and save the bucks it costs for the labor, or get one pre-made. We also just have the parts kits if you can supply the barrel.
I made 6 of them for less than $150 by doing it myself, and getting my own barrels. In a few weeks, they will have already paid for themselves!

girlgroupgirl