Butts

Can someone explain how a water butt could work without catching run off from a roof?
I'm taking on an allotment but won't have a shed. Wanting to get a water butts but totally clueless as to how they work...

 

You need a type of large area to catch the rain in order for it to fill up more quickly.

Perhaps just building a small structure with a flat roof on it may be of use to store your tools under as well. There is always someone on every allotment who hoards things and they may be able to give you the parts you need to build it too.

 

Hmmm... will have to have a see what I can scrounge

 

My water butts still haven't been set up here (we moved last year ). And yet, all three have water in them simply from being open to rainfall (e.g. no lids secured down). I have to say though, it is a very slow way of doing it - just not impossible.
Will you be moving your coop to the allotments at any time? You could attach a piece of guttering to that to fill a plastic dustbin (a butt would be too tall for your coop). I say that on the principle that anything is better than nothing

 

And that will also provide somewhere to shelter from rain (including keeping a couple of seats dry), plus can be used for a bit of shade when introducing the likes of runner/French beans, squashes, etc. into aggressive outdoor conditions (or even sit underneath yourself in the heat of Summer). The supports could be used to cable lock a few cheap tools and/or wheelbarrow to.

Keep an eye on local skips, anybody locally planning to demolish a carport to construct a side extension and Freecycle.

 

If you have water on the site, fill the butt with a hose from that, the plants will appreciate water at air temperature.
If no water, then get yourself a container, something like a gerry can or similar in plastic, I think the camping fraternity use this kind of thing.
Every time you visit you take water, if you need it or not, then fill the butts, so its there when you do need it.

 

Plastic cover tied round the top of the butt, weighted down with a stone in the middle with a small hole in it.

You'll get the frost/condensation as well as the rain.