I don’t know about your weather forecast for the next few days, but mine isn’t looking particularly dry – on the contrary, it’s expected to rain every day here in London. But this is the perfect time to snap up some rain catchers for your garden if you don’t already have them.
Why fight nature when you can embrace it? And getting something like a rain chain or the aforementioned rain catcher for your outdoor space not only looks charming and whimsical, but it also comes with practical benefits in the form of effortless rain harvesting.
‘Rain catchers are a fantastic addition to any garden,’ says James Ewens, wildlife expert at Green Feathers. ‘Basically they help to collect and store rainwater that would otherwise run off and be absorbed into the ground, giving you a free and sustainable water source for plants, bird baths, and even just keeping on top of watering.’
Not to mention that it’s the perfect wildlife-friendly garden idea as rain catchers are great for the birds! ‘Rain catchers are incredibly beneficial for birds. Birds need a clean and reliable water source throughout the year, not only for drinking but also for bathing, which helps them keep their feathers in good condition and free of diseases. As rainwater is free from many of the chemicals found in treated tap water, it's also a natural option that many gardeners prefer for supporting local wildlife,’ James explains.
Rain catchers can take on several different forms and I tracked down the 6 best and prettiest styles to shop now. But in essence, rain catchers are usually bowl-like vessels which come in sets of multiples and collect rain water. Most rain catchers feature a stake design which is how you make it stable on the ground in your garden but there are variations to this too.
Top picks
These rain catchers come as a set of three and are designed with a stake bottom. It's one of the bestselling designs on Amazon and the most quintessential rain catcher style.
This rain catcher boasts a very pretty and decorative cascading water feature design. Selling for just £9, it's the most budget-friendly one on this list.
Featuring a tiered design, this is another top Amazon seller, boasting over 50 sales over the last month. The rustic metal finish adds to its charm and it again features a stake.
If you're after something a little more substantial that's also going to hold a little more rain water then this rain catcher fountain is for you.
This is probably the prettiest rain catcher I've seen. Made with copper, the garden stake is shaped to look like beautiful calla lilies but the metal flowers are designed to hold rain water. Although given the size, not a lot of it.
Speaking of rain chains, Etsy's also selling a rain chain design that doubles as a rain catcher. Does it get any more whimsical than this?! And it comes in different shapes, too - tulip, lotus flower etc.
Which one of these beautiful rain catchers is your favourite?
