Oct 21, 2026

Why October and November Are the Best Months to Install a Water Butt

When the leaves start falling and the weather turns cooler, gardening might be the last thing on your mind. But October and November are actually excellent months to install a water butt.

While many people only think about collecting rainwater when the summer arrives, autumn is the perfect opportunity to get ahead. With wetter weather returning to much of the UK, you can start collecting rainwater now, build up your supply and have water ready when your garden needs it most.

A water butt is one of the simplest ways to make your garden more sustainable. It helps you make better use of the rain that falls on your roof, reduces your reliance on tap water for outdoor jobs and gives your plants a readily available supply of natural rainwater.

At Rainwater Terrace, we believe collecting rainwater should be practical, straightforward and attractive, too. Our modular water butts are designed to fit into everyday gardens, with integrated self-watering planters that make the most of your outdoor space.

Here are seven reasons why autumn is such a good time to install a water butt.

1. Collect more rainwater while the weather is wetter

One of the biggest advantages of installing a water butt in October or November is the opportunity to collect rainfall throughout the wetter months.

Rather than letting rainwater from your roof disappear straight down the drain, a water butt allows you to capture and store some of it for later use.

Every shower of rain is an opportunity to replenish your supply. Depending on your roof size, local rainfall and storage capacity, you could collect a surprising amount of water over the autumn and winter.

For example, a Rainwater Terrace 200-litre water butt provides space to store up to 200 litres of rainwater when full. That is a useful reserve for watering pots, planters, borders and other garden plants when the weather turns dry.

The earlier you install your water butt, the sooner you can start collecting rainwater. You do not need to wait until spring or summer to begin.

Gardening tip: Check your gutters before connecting a water butt. Clearing away fallen leaves and debris helps rainwater flow freely into your collection system.

2. Get ahead of next summer's dry weather

It might seem a long way off, but October and November are excellent months to start preparing your garden for summer.

Hot, dry spells can leave pots, hanging baskets, greenhouses and vegetable beds needing regular watering. If you wait until the first heatwave to install a water butt, you will have missed months of potential rainfall.

By installing one in autumn, you can start collecting water well before the next growing season.

Rainwater stored in your water butt can be particularly useful for:

Watering flowers, borders and ornamental plants.
Keeping pots and hanging baskets hydrated.
Watering vegetables, herbs and soft fruit.
Topping up containers in greenhouses and conservatories, where appropriate.
Giving newly planted shrubs and other garden plants a drink during dry spells.

A water butt will not guarantee that you have enough water for every dry spell, but having extra storage can make a real difference.

The best time to prepare for a dry summer is while it is still raining.

3. Save money by using less mains water in the garden

If you have a water meter, watering your garden with tap water can add to your household water consumption, particularly during warmer months.

Collecting rainwater gives you another source of water for outdoor use, helping you reduce the amount of treated mains water you need for suitable garden tasks.

The savings will depend on how much rain you collect, how much water you use and your water charges. A water butt is not guaranteed to pay for itself within a particular period, but it can help you make better use of a free natural resource.

Even if you do not have a water meter, collecting rainwater is a sensible way to reduce demand on treated water supplies.

Installing a water butt in autumn means you can begin collecting water immediately rather than waiting until your garden needs frequent watering.

4. Give your plants the benefits of natural rainwater

Rainwater is naturally soft and is often particularly useful for plants that are sensitive to the minerals found in hard tap water.

It is ideal for many everyday gardening tasks, including watering flowers, vegetables, herbs, container plants and greenhouse crops.

Some plants, including acid-loving plants such as blueberries and rhododendrons, can benefit from rainwater because it generally contains fewer dissolved minerals than hard tap water.

Collecting rainwater also gives you a convenient supply close to your garden, making it easier to reach for a watering can instead of turning on a tap.

There is one important consideration: water collected from roofs and stored in water butts is not drinking water. Keep your gutters and storage system clean, and use appropriate hygiene precautions when handling stored water, particularly around edible crops.

5. Make better use of rainfall and reduce runoff

Rainwater harvesting is not just about watering plants. It is also about making better use of the water that falls on your property.

When rain falls on a roof, much of it is channelled into gutters and downpipes before entering the drainage system. A water butt can intercept some of that water and store it for use around the garden.

This is a simple way to make your outdoor space more resource-efficient and reduce unnecessary reliance on mains water.

However, a water butt has a finite capacity. Once it is full, excess water needs somewhere to go. A correctly fitted diverter allows excess rainwater to continue into the existing drainage system, rather than assuming the water butt can manage all the rainfall from your roof.

For gardens that experience heavy rainfall, water butts can form one part of a wider approach to managing rainwater alongside permeable surfaces, rain gardens and suitable planting.

6. Give your garden a head start for spring

Autumn is a busy season for the garden, even when the flowers begin to fade.

You might be planting spring bulbs, moving shrubs, refreshing containers or preparing vegetable beds for the next growing season. Having a water butt ready means you have a convenient supply of rainwater for those jobs whenever watering is needed.

It is also a good opportunity to rethink how you use your outdoor space.

A traditional water butt can be useful, but it often occupies an area without adding much to the appearance of the garden. A Rainwater Terrace water butt combines rainwater storage with integrated planters, allowing you to grow flowers, herbs, leafy salads and other suitable plants in the same footprint.

Our clip-on planters use capillary mats to help deliver moisture to plant roots, making them a practical addition to a rainwater harvesting system.

You can choose plants that suit your garden and the season, then refresh the planters as the year progresses.

7. Choose a water butt that looks good all year round

A water butt does not have to be an unattractive plastic barrel hidden behind a shed.

Rainwater Terrace was designed to combine practical rainwater collection with a more decorative approach to garden storage.

Our modular system uses individual 67-litre containers that can be stacked and connected to create different capacities. This means you can choose a compact option for a smaller patio or a larger system for a garden with greater watering needs.

Available configurations include:

67 litres: A compact option for smaller gardens and patios.
134 litres: More storage in a two-tier or double-container arrangement.
200 litres: A three-tier system for households wanting greater capacity.
268 litres and 400 litres: Larger configurations for gardens that need additional storage.

The integrated planters offer space for colourful flowers, trailing greenery, herbs and other plants, helping your water butt become part of the garden rather than simply a storage container.

You can also choose from a range of planter colours to complement your outdoor space.

Explore the full range of Rainwater Terrace water butts to find a configuration that suits your garden.

How to install a water butt in October or November

Installing a water butt in autumn is usually straightforward, provided you have a suitable location and the correct diverter for your downpipe.

Here are the main things to consider before you get started.

1. Choose the right position

Place your water butt near a suitable rainwater downpipe wherever possible. A firm, level surface is essential, and you should leave enough room to access the taps and manage any overflow.

2. Check your downpipe

Rainwater Terrace's standard diverter kit fits common 65mm square and 68mm round plastic downpipes. Other pipe sizes, including some greenhouse and conservatory installations, may require a different adapter.

3. Prepare the base

Make sure the water butt is properly supported on a suitable, level surface. Remember that water is heavy: 200 litres of water alone weighs approximately 200kg, before adding the weight of the unit and planters.

4. Follow the assembly instructions

Our systems are designed for straightforward DIY assembly, with no complicated plumbing required. Follow the instructions supplied with your chosen kit and make sure the diverter and overflow arrangements are fitted correctly.

5. Keep your gutters and system clean

Autumn leaves can quickly accumulate in gutters. Check them periodically, remove debris safely and keep the water butt clean to help maintain good water quality.

What size water butt do you need?

The best size depends on your roof, available space, garden size and how much water you use.

A smaller water butt may be sufficient for a patio with a few pots and planters. If you have a greenhouse, vegetable patch, multiple borders or a larger garden, greater storage capacity may be more useful.

It is also worth remembering that storage capacity and rainfall collection are not the same thing. A larger water butt gives you more room to store water, but the amount collected depends on rainfall, the roof area feeding the system and how much water you use between showers.

Rainwater Terrace's modular design allows you to start with a smaller system and expand your storage capacity as your needs change.

Browse our water butt collection to compare the available sizes and configurations.

Frequently asked questions about installing a water butt in autumn

Is October a good time to install a water butt?

Yes. October is a useful time to install a water butt because it allows you to start collecting autumn rainfall and build up a supply for future garden use. It also gives you time to prepare your rainwater harvesting system before the next growing season.

Is November too late to install a water butt?

No. November can still be a good time to install a water butt, provided conditions are suitable for safe installation. You can collect rainfall throughout the wetter months and prepare for spring and summer. Check the weather forecast and avoid working in icy or unsafe conditions.

Will a water butt fill up during winter?

It can. How quickly it fills depends on local rainfall, the roof area connected to it, the capacity of the water butt and how much water you use. Once it is full, a correctly installed diverter should allow excess water to continue to the appropriate drainage outlet.

Can I use rainwater from a water butt in winter?

Yes, where conditions allow. Rainwater can still be useful for watering plants during milder winter periods when the soil is not frozen and plants need water. However, many outdoor plants need much less watering during cold weather, so check their requirements before watering.

Do water butts need to be emptied in winter?

Not necessarily. Requirements depend on the design of the water butt and its fittings, as well as local weather conditions. Follow the manufacturer's winter-care instructions, protect vulnerable pipework from freezing and take precautions during prolonged periods of frost.

Are Rainwater Terrace water butts easy to install?

Rainwater Terrace systems are designed for straightforward DIY assembly, with instructions and compatible diverter options available. You will need a suitable downpipe, a firm and level base, and enough space to install and access the unit safely.

Can I connect more than one Rainwater Terrace water butt?

Yes. Rainwater Terrace uses a modular design, allowing compatible units to be connected to increase storage capacity. This makes it easier to adapt your rainwater harvesting setup to a larger garden or changing watering needs.

Make this autumn the start of smarter water saving

October and November are not months to forget about your garden. They are an opportunity to prepare for the year ahead.

Installing a water butt now means you can start collecting rainfall, reduce your reliance on mains water for suitable outdoor tasks and have a useful supply ready when your plants need it. It is a practical step towards a more sustainable garden, whether you have a small patio or a large family garden.

With its modular design, integrated self-watering planters and choice of configurations, Rainwater Terrace makes it possible to combine rainwater harvesting with attractive, productive planting.

Don't wait until the next dry spell to start saving rainwater. Make the most of this autumn's rainfall and get your garden ready for spring.

Explore Rainwater Terrace water butts and start collecting rainwater today.

Rainwater Terrace water butts are designed and manufactured in the UK by Design 4 Plastics Ltd.