We created a large 30' x 4' butterfly/hummingbird garden in what was a weedy mess from the previous owners. After planting 50 plants, I needed something to conserve water and maintain all these plants. This rain barrel does the trick and more! Under the mulch is 100 feet of soaker hose that is fed by the bottom hose on rain barrel. It works perfectly! The top hose we use if there is heavy rain and we need to release some water on a downspout extension. This works so good that we purchased a 2nd barrel and it is connected to a 50' soaker hose in another garden. Fast, easy and efficient way to keep the plants growing.