Great topic! (and good morning :)
In the early Spring, before I have the (seemingly) MILES of hose laid out, I have to find some way to get water to the greenhouse for the plants I have started out there.
With rain in the forecast, I filled the milk jugs I’ve been saving with water from the rain barrel. I now have 14 gallons stashed to use, which is plenty for now.
With a heavy rainfall, just a half-inch of rain fills that 40-gallon barrel in a matter of minutes. I want a few more, actually, LOL!
I also melt snow in the winter months to give my houseplants a treat. Our house water is from a well and untreated so it is very ‘hard’ so they love it!