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Tried & Tested: Water Butts

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Tried & Tested: Water Butts

As temperatures in Britain creep upwards, investing in a water butt (or two) is an eco-friendly way to keep your plants happy on the hottest, driest summer days. As well as being free, rainwater is better for topping up ponds, and acid-loving plants such as azaleas prefer it if your tap water is 'hard'.

Water butts now come in a range of styles to suit every budget and garden. Performance can be variable, so to help you choose the best model Gardening Which? tested 17 water butts, ranging in size from 100 to 700 litres. Gardening Which? examined the ease of assembly, how comfortable the taps were to use and how quickly they became clogged with debris. Gardening Which? was also interested in whether you could fit a diverter or overflow pipe to redirect water back to the downpipe when the butt was full, and how child-safe they were. Here are their top four...

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Please note, although all of the products have been tested, Which? has not tested the quality of service from the suppliers mentioned below.

Harcostar Space Sava, £25

The Harcostar Space Sava is the ideal choice for smaller gardens. It holds 100 litres and will fit onto a 37cm-square area if you make your own stand from bricks or slabs, or you can buy a matching 48cm-square stand for £11. It’s also available from independent garden centres. This one is easy to assemble and fit a diverter tap, but there is no hole in the lid for a downpipe, although it would be reasonably straightforward to make one.

Available from: Heritage Home & Garden

Suffolk Barrel SBP11, £99

The sturdy Suffolk Barrel holds 227 litres and will add a lovely rustic touch to a corner of the garden. Although heavy, it is already assembled so you don't need to spend time putting it together. It costs £99, plus £20 for the stand and a minimum delivery charge of £10. Don't be concerned if it leaks a little at first, as the water will soon make the wood swell, sealing the gaps. There is no hole for an overflow pipe or rain diverter, but the supplier will can one for around £10.

Available from: Suffolk Barrel

Sankey Beehive Water Butt, £55

The Sankey Beehive Water Butt is another attractive option. It looks like terracotta, but is actually made from plastic, which keeps the price down (£55, plus £20 for the stand). It holds 150 litres and we found it very easy to assemble.

Available from: Capital Gardens