I can’t believe how long it’s taking me to get my water barrel up and running.  Ivory kindly passed one of the plastic drums she got from The Gettin’ Man* over to me hoping I’d get the lead out and post about it before she did, but that was about 8 months ago and still no water barrel.

The barrel is almost operational, but I’ve got some more work to do on it (including perhaps a faux finish to make it look like a wooden barrel–I’m so fancy).  Meanwhile, though, I have completed the stand for it.  (Just in time for winter–ha!)

It’s a long time coming.  I originally tried to make a stand out of rescued concrete castle blocks, but that was a fiasco.

In the end, I’m glad that didn’t work out because I think I’m going to like this one much better anyway.  It’s taller, which is good for the water pressure coming from the barrel, and I think it looks nicer, too.

It was very easy to make, and cheap, because I already had the lumber I’d salvaged from an arbor tear down.

Here’s what I did:

Seat four 4×4 posts about a foot into the ground.  Left enough above ground to put the stand about 2 1/2 feet high.  Ignore the fact that one post is offset.  It was already there for something else (long story) and I decided to make it work rather than relocating it.

Cut and nailed 2×4 top supports to the posts.  Kitty very helpful as always.  Did most of the work actually– ace with a claw hammer.

Cut and nailed 2×4 braces to the posts.

Cut and nailed 2×4 planks to form the top.

Cut and nailed a 5/4×6 “apron” around the top edge for a neat look.

Ready for spring!  *sigh*

* The Gettin’ Man is one of those country folks who will supply you with anything country from chickens to goats to empty barrels to I don’t know what-all.