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 https://geni.us/SimplifyVegGardening1
Composting Masterclass https://geni.us/CompostingMasterclass
Your First Vegetable Garden https://geni.us/Yourfirstveggarden
Links To Products Mentioned
Bosch Home and Garden Cordless Submersible Water Pump GardenPump
https://geni.us/Boschsubpump
3500GPH Bilge pump https://geni.us/3500gphbilge
1100GPH Bilge Pump https://geni.us/1100gphbilge
Hozelock Telescopic Spray Lance. https://geni.us/HozelockSprayLance
Ecoflow Power Bank Delta 2 Max https://geni.us/EcoflowSimplify
Gemho 5AH Battery for Bosch Submersible Water Pump
Videos Mentioned in this video:
From Ruin to Retreat My Shed Transformation Journey! https://youtu.be/N9sI3fKY9Q8
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41 Comments
Great video and system you have in place
And theres me with an allotment, but just 1 wheelie bin (that leaks) for collecting water😂
Very nice! Thank you. Do you have algae issues? And how are you handling it?
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.
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?
Would love to have an IBC, but I couldn't get it into the back garden as there is no access.
We have watering bans here already but luckily it never effects veg watering. Good to see you back Tony, Ali 🌞🌞🇨🇦
Thank you, Tony!
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.
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 🙂
The neatest tidiest most organised garden Ive seen
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.
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.
Amazing
Well done, Tony
It does help Tony as it p#sses down all the time in Wales 😅
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!
Without even watching yet I just have to Thumbs Up for your efforts.
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
That’s amazing! I only have 1x240l atm and I use it in 2 days. Defo need more ❤
I have my doubts with plastic water storage, can't help but think it spreads microplastics all over your garden.
That is an amazing system you designed and built, Tony! Great explanation and example for gardeners who want an effective watering setup with rainwater.
How do you keep the mosquitos out of the IBCs that are open?
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
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😝😝👍👍
Elephant in the room
Where are the veg?
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.
Would love a deeper dive on the drip subsystem and the pump spec
Amazing set up, but on Bristol allotments we're not allowed hose pipes, and we're not allowed any irrigation systems!
Great looking garden 🇳🇿❤️
Which gallon?
Have you thought about putting the IBCs underground?
Wow, what an incredible system.
How do you control mosquitoes and water bugs in your open top containers?
excellent work Tony !
Wow !
Really Nice System.
Thanks
Superbe vidéo 😊😊😊
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.
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 😉 ) 👍👍
Hi mate how do you manage to reduce the pipe size from the pump to hosepipe size
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?😮