FAQ

An olla is an unglazed, porous clay vessel buried in soil and filled with water. Water slowly moves through its walls as the surrounding soil dries, delivering moisture near plant roots. This ancient irrigation method inspired RainSpike’s passive, below-ground watering approach today.

Traditional ollas are buried clay pots that must be filled through a narrow opening. RainSpike™ applies the same porous-clay principle, but adds a surface dish that catches rain and directs it below ground, helping the reservoir refill naturally whenever enough rain falls in your garden.

RainSpike™ is made from natural terracotta clay. The fired clay creates a durable outdoor form while retaining the porosity needed for passive irrigation below ground. Its earthy material and warm color also allow RainSpike™ to blend naturally into garden beds, planters, and landscapes.

Yes. RainSpike™ itself is made from natural terracotta clay rather than plastic. This keeps the core watering system simple, durable, and garden-friendly while avoiding plastic parts in the product itself. Packaging and optional add-on accessories may use other materials when needed.

No. RainSpike™ works passively, using rainfall, gravity, porous clay, and the natural movement of moisture through soil. There are no pumps, batteries, electrical connections, timers, or apps required. Once installed, it can simply remain in place and work whenever water is available.

RainSpike™ is designed primarily for outdoor use, where its surface can catch rainfall and direct it into the buried clay reservoir. It can support plants in garden beds, landscapes, and large outdoor planters. Indoors, its rain-catching design provides little practical watering benefit.

RainSpike™ can help plants water themselves between rains by storing water below ground and gradually sharing it with surrounding soil. But it is not a fully self-watering system: available water depends on rainfall or manual filling, and plants may still need supplemental watering.

RainSpike’s porous terracotta allows stored water to gradually move through the clay and into the surrounding soil. As nearby soil becomes drier, moisture can spread outward, helping create a more dependable source of water that plant roots can access below the surface over time.

Plant roots naturally grow through soil in response to conditions including available moisture. Because RainSpike™ can create a more consistently moist zone around its buried reservoir, nearby roots may grow toward and around it, helping plants take advantage of water stored below the surface.

Yes. RainSpike™ is designed to hold water below ground after rainfall or manual filling. As the surrounding soil becomes drier, stored water can continue moving through the porous terracotta into nearby soil, extending access to moisture beyond the rain or watering event that filled it.

Yes. Although RainSpike™ is designed to catch rainfall, you can also fill it manually using a hose or watering can. This can be useful during extended dry periods or when newly installed plants need extra support, while still allowing the buried reservoir to distribute water passively.

No. RainSpike™ can collect and store rainfall when it is available, but you can also fill it manually with a hose or watering can. Once water enters the buried reservoir, the same passive process takes over, gradually making moisture available to the surrounding soil and nearby plant roots.

RainSpike™ stores water below the surface and gradually shares it with the surrounding soil. Instead of relying only on moisture from each rain or watering event, nearby plants can continue accessing stored water over time, potentially extending the time between supplemental waterings.

RainSpike™ creates a below-ground water reserve that nearby plants can access as surrounding soil becomes drier. That reserve provides a buffer between rain or watering events, making plant care less dependent on perfectly timing every watering while still allowing you to supplement when needed.

RainSpike™ helps make more use of the water already available to your garden. It catches rainfall, directs it below ground, and stores it near plant roots. When filled manually, it also places water below the surface, where it can gradually move into the surrounding root zone over time.

RainSpike™ creates a source of moisture below the soil surface rather than concentrating all available water at the top. Plant roots can explore toward favorable moisture conditions, potentially encouraging more below-ground root exploration around the RainSpike™ and its surrounding soil.

Surface watering applies water from above, where it must soak down through the soil toward plant roots. RainSpike™ directs water into a buried reservoir first, creating a below-ground source of moisture that can gradually move outward into surrounding soil after rainfall or manual filling.

Drip irrigation typically delivers water through tubing and emitters connected to a water source. RainSpike™ instead stores rainwater or manually added water in porous terracotta below ground. It requires no tubing, water pressure, timers, electricity, pumps, batteries, or apps.

RainSpike™ places stored water below ground, where it is protected from the direct sun and moving air that can accelerate evaporation at the soil surface. Some water can still be lost as it moves through the soil, but below-ground storage can help reduce direct exposure to evaporation.

RainSpike™ can be especially useful between rain or watering events because it keeps a reserve of water below ground near plant roots. During hot or dry periods, that stored water can provide additional moisture as surrounding soil dries, although supplemental watering may still be needed.

RainSpike™ is designed around simple, passive irrigation. It uses natural terracotta clay, requires no electricity, batteries, pumps, timers, or apps, and can capture rainfall for later use by plants. Its goal is to make better use of available water with a durable, low-tech garden tool.

There is no single watering schedule that works for every garden. How often you need to supplement RainSpike™ depends on rainfall, temperature, sunlight, wind, soil, plant type, plant size, and season. Check your soil and plants regularly and water when conditions call for it.

Consider manually filling RainSpike™ when rainfall has been limited, its stored water has been depleted, or your plants need additional moisture. A hose or watering can can refill the reservoir during dry periods, letting RainSpike™ continue distributing that water passively below ground.

RainSpike™ can still distribute water passively during drought, but it needs water to work. If rainfall is scarce, you can manually fill the reservoir with a hose or watering can. RainSpike™ can then gradually share that stored water with nearby soil, but supplemental watering may still be needed.

RainSpike™ can provide plants with a reserve of water while you are away, especially if it is filled before you leave. However, it cannot guarantee that plants will have enough water for an entire trip. Weather, plant needs, soil, reservoir capacity, and trip length all affect how long water lasts.

Continue checking your plants just as you normally would. Feel the soil at an appropriate depth and watch for plant-specific signs of water stress. If the root zone is becoming too dry, add water as needed. RainSpike™ is a watering aid, not a replacement for observing your plants.

RainSpike™ releases water in response to surrounding soil conditions, but it cannot prevent every overwatering situation. Heavy rainfall, poorly draining soil, frequent manual filling, or plants that prefer dry conditions can create excess moisture, so consider your plant and site conditions.

Plants and soil can use or lose water at different rates throughout the year. Hotter summer temperatures, stronger sun, plant growth, and changing rainfall can increase water demand, while cooler or wetter periods may reduce it. Adjust manual filling and watering as conditions change.

RainSpike™ is designed to complement rainfall and manual watering rather than eliminate your watering can entirely. Use your watering can or hose whenever rainfall and stored water are not enough for your plants, and you can use either one to manually refill RainSpike™ during dry periods.

Yes. Raised beds can be a great fit for RainSpike™ because its buried reservoir stores water below the surface near plant roots. Make sure your bed has enough soil depth for installation and place RainSpike™ where its stored water can support the plants growing around it throughout the bed.

Yes. Garden beds are one of the primary places RainSpike™ is designed to be used. Install it near plants that can benefit from additional water, and the buried terracotta reservoir can store rainfall or manually added water and gradually share moisture with the surrounding soil.

Yes. RainSpike™ can work in a large outdoor planter when there is enough soil volume and depth to accommodate the buried reservoir and surrounding roots. Its surface can collect rainfall while the reservoir stores water below, creating an additional source of moisture within the planter.

Yes. RainSpike™ can be incorporated into container gardens, especially larger containers with sufficient soil depth and space around the buried reservoir. Because smaller containers have limited room for soil and roots, always make sure the RainSpike™ size is appropriate for the container.

Yes. RainSpike™ can be used on patios, decks, or balconies when installed inside a sufficiently large outdoor planter or container. Keep drainage, planter size, weight, and rainfall exposure in mind, and make sure the installation is appropriate for the surface supporting the container.

Yes. RainSpike™ can be incorporated into decorative garden beds and landscaped areas where plants would benefit from stored water below ground. Its natural terracotta construction and low-profile surface are designed to feel at home among plants, mulch, stone, and other garden materials.

Yes. RainSpike™ can be used around crops where localized, passive watering makes sense, particularly in smaller-scale or low-tech growing environments. Multiple RainSpikes can be placed throughout a growing area, with spacing based on crop needs, soil conditions, rainfall, and planting layout.

RainSpike™ is primarily designed for outdoor growing spaces where its surface can catch rainfall. It could technically be manually filled indoors in a sufficiently large container, but its size, drainage considerations, and rain-catching design generally make it better suited to outdoor plants and gardens.

Yes. RainSpike™ can be removed and relocated, but take care when pulling a buried reservoir from established soil. Loosen the surrounding soil rather than forcing the terracotta out, and be mindful of plant roots that may have grown near the RainSpike™ during its time in the garden.

RainSpike™ is a natural fit for plants that need frequent watering or prefer more consistent access to moisture. Vegetables, herbs, flowers, fruiting plants, young plants, and thirsty container plants can all be good candidates. Start with the plants you find yourself watering most often.

Yes. Many vegetables perform best when they have reliable access to moisture, making them good candidates for RainSpike. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and other thirsty crops may benefit from a nearby source of stored water, especially during active growth and fruit production.

Yes. RainSpike™ can be useful for herbs that prefer regular moisture, especially when grown outdoors in warm conditions or containers that dry quickly. Herbs vary considerably in their water needs, however, so use RainSpike™ more cautiously around varieties that naturally prefer drier soil.

Yes. RainSpike™ can be placed near annuals, perennials, and other flowering plants that benefit from regular access to moisture. It can be especially useful for thirsty flowers or garden areas that dry quickly, while plants that prefer dry conditions may need less stored water nearby.

Yes, but newly planted seedlings often have shallow, developing root systems and may still require careful surface watering at first. As roots expand deeper and outward through the soil, they may be better positioned to access the moist soil surrounding RainSpike’s buried water reservoir.

You can, but drought-tolerant plants generally need less supplemental water once established, so they may benefit less from RainSpike™ than thirstier plants. Consider the specific plant, your rainfall, soil drainage, and climate before adding a persistent source of stored water nearby.

Use RainSpike™ cautiously around plants that prefer their soil to remain dry or dry significantly between waterings. A nearby reservoir may create more moisture than these plants need. Consider their specific watering requirements and avoid keeping RainSpike™ continually filled when conditions are already wet.

Yes. Many fruiting plants have meaningful water demands during active growth, flowering, and fruit development. RainSpike™ can provide an additional source of stored moisture near their roots. Exact watering needs vary by plant, weather, soil, growth stage, and the size of the plant.

Place RainSpike™ close enough that expanding roots can reach the moist soil around its reservoir, without crowding the plant’s stem or damaging major roots during installation. The best distance depends on plant size, root system, soil, and whether the plant is newly planted or established.

Bury RainSpike™ deeply enough that the tapered reservoir is fully underground while the dish remains near the surrounding soil surface. Firm soil gently around the spike so it is well supported, but avoid forcing the terracotta into hard soil or striking it during installation.

Install the dish approximately level with the surrounding soil. This allows rainfall moving across the garden surface to enter the dish while keeping RainSpike™ integrated into the landscape. Avoid burying the dish deeply or leaving it unnecessarily elevated above the surrounding soil.

RainSpike™ does not need to be perfectly level, but a reasonably level installation helps water collected across the dish flow toward the center opening instead of favoring one side. After placing the spike, make small soil adjustments underneath and around it until the dish sits evenly.

Place RainSpike™ close enough that expanding roots can reach the moist soil around its reservoir, without crowding the plant’s stem or damaging major roots during installation. The best distance depends on plant size, root system, soil, and whether the plant is newly planted or established.

Yes. RainSpike™ can be added near established plants, but take extra care when digging. If you encounter large roots, reposition the RainSpike™ rather than cutting through them. Loosening and removing soil before inserting the spike also helps protect both the roots and the terracotta reservoir.

Yes, but hard or compacted soil should be loosened before installation. Dig or pre-form a hole large enough for the tapered reservoir rather than using the terracotta itself to break through resistant soil. This makes installation easier and reduces unnecessary pressure on the fired clay.

Yes. After RainSpike™ is installed and the surrounding soil has been gently firmed into place, you can fill the reservoir with water. This gives the porous terracotta water to begin sharing with nearby soil and also lets you confirm that water is entering the center opening as intended.

Yes. RainSpike™ can be removed and relocated, but take care when pulling a buried reservoir from established soil. Loosen the surrounding soil rather than forcing the terracotta out, and be mindful of plant roots that may have grown near the RainSpike™ during its time in the garden.

For most installations, you only need a garden trowel, hand shovel, or similar digging tool to create a hole for the tapered reservoir. Hard or compacted soils may require a larger shovel or additional loosening. Always prepare the hole first rather than using RainSpike™ itself as a digging tool.

Covering the center opening helps reduce direct evaporation, keeps leaves and larger debris from falling into the reservoir, and helps RainSpike™ blend into your garden. The key is choosing a cover that protects the opening without preventing collected rainwater from flowing into it.

A terracotta pot is our preferred RainSpike™ cover. It complements the natural clay, hides the center opening, and can help funnel rainwater through its drainage hole into the reservoir below. It also turns the center of RainSpike™ into a useful place for a decorative garden element.

Yes. A terracotta pot is an ideal way to cover RainSpike’s center opening. Place it over the opening so its drainage hole provides a path for water into the reservoir below. The pot can be left empty or incorporated into the garden as a simple decorative feature.

Yes. One or more rocks can conceal and protect the center opening while creating a natural garden look. Choose a placement that leaves spaces for rainwater to flow between or around the rocks and into the reservoir, rather than tightly sealing the opening or blocking the water path.

Yes. Loose, bulky mulch can help RainSpike™ blend into a mulched garden bed while keeping the opening covered. Avoid tightly packing fine material directly into the opening. Leave enough space for collected rainwater to move freely through the mulch and down into the reservoir below.

Yes. RainSpike’s center can support a decorative garden element as long as it does not prevent water from reaching the opening. Choose something stable, appropriately sized, and arranged so rainfall collected by the dish still has a clear path into the buried reservoir underneath.

Yes. A suitably sized potted plant can sit over RainSpike’s center opening, turning the space above the reservoir into another growing area. Make sure the pot is stable and has a drainage hole positioned so excess water and collected rainfall can continue flowing into RainSpike™ below.

Not necessarily. A pot placed directly over the opening should have a drainage hole or another path for water to pass through. Rocks, mulch, or other covers can instead leave open spaces around them. What matters is that the cover does not seal RainSpike™ off from collected rainwater.

A properly chosen cover should not prevent RainSpike™ from collecting water. Pots can direct water through a drainage hole, while rocks or mulch can leave spaces for water to pass through. After adding a cover, pour in some water to make sure it can still reach the center opening freely.

Choose a pot wide enough to sit securely over RainSpike’s center opening but small enough to leave plenty of the 10-inch dish exposed for catching rain. The ideal size can vary by pot shape, so look for a stable footprint that leaves water room to flow toward the center.

Terracotta is our preferred choice because it naturally complements RainSpike’s clay construction and garden-friendly appearance. However, other outdoor pots can work too. The important things are stability, appropriate size, and a drainage path that lets excess water reach RainSpike™ below.

Yes. A planted pot can sit directly over RainSpike’s center, creating a functional and decorative cover. Make sure the pot is stable and its drainage hole remains positioned over the opening so excess irrigation and rainfall passing through the pot can continue into the reservoir below.

The cover pot can be functional or decorative. Fill it with soil and a plant to create another growing space, use rocks or other decorative materials for a simple garden accent, or leave it relatively open. Whatever you choose, keep a clear drainage path into RainSpike™ below.

Yes. The cover pot can hold river rocks, pebbles, or other decorative garden materials instead of a plant. Just avoid tightly blocking its drainage hole. Water should still be able to pass through the pot and into RainSpike™, allowing the cover to remain decorative and functional.

Yes. Fill the cover pot with suitable potting soil and a plant just as you would with another outdoor container. Water that drains through the bottom can enter RainSpike™ below, allowing the same pot to serve as a growing space, decorative cover, and pathway for water into the reservoir.

Compact plants that are well suited to container growing make good cover plants. Choose one based on the pot’s size, available sunlight, rainfall, climate, and how often you want to provide additional water. Herbs, small flowers, and other compact ornamentals can all be good options.

A planted cover pot will use some of the rain or irrigation it receives, so not every drop that enters the pot will reach RainSpike. Once the potting mix is sufficiently wet, however, excess water can drain through the bottom and into the reservoir, where it can support surrounding plants.

A pot adds another rain-catching surface above RainSpike. Rain enters the pot, wets the soil or other material inside, and excess water drains through the hole in its base. When that hole is positioned over RainSpike’s opening, the drainage is directed into the reservoir below.

A good RainSpike™ cover plant should grow comfortably in a relatively small pot without creating a dense mass that blocks rainfall. Favor shallow roots, modest water needs, slender or spreading stems, and well-draining soil so excess rain can continue through the pot and into RainSpike.

Shallow-rooted plants can thrive in smaller pots without requiring a deep volume of soil above RainSpike. A shallower root zone can also become saturated more quickly during rainfall, allowing excess water to begin draining through the pot and into the RainSpike™ reservoir below.

Long, slender stems can reach outward beyond the cover pot without creating a dense canopy directly over RainSpike. This lets the plant visually spread across the garden while leaving more of the dish exposed, allowing rainfall to land directly on RainSpike™ and flow toward its center opening.

Generally, yes. A cover plant with low to moderate water needs can use some rainfall while still allowing excess water to drain into RainSpike™ below. Very thirsty plants may retain or use more of the water entering the pot, reducing how much reaches the reservoir and surrounding garden plants.

Yes. A RainSpike™ cover plant can be edible as long as it grows comfortably in the pot and still allows good drainage. Compact herbs and other smaller edible plants can make the space above RainSpike™ productive while allowing excess rainfall or watering to drain into the reservoir below.

Yes. Ornamental plants can turn RainSpike™ into an intentional part of your garden design. Look for compact, shallow-rooted varieties with good drainage and foliage that does not completely cover the dish. Flowers or trailing plants can add color while keeping RainSpike™ functional.

Avoid plants that require deep soil, develop large or aggressive root systems, consume lots of water, or create extremely dense growth over the dish. These traits can make the cover pot harder to manage, intercept more rainfall, or reduce the amount of water that ultimately reaches RainSpike.

Trailing growth can work especially well because stems can extend beyond the pot and visually connect RainSpike™ with the surrounding garden. Keep growth light enough that it does not densely cover the dish or trap excessive debris, so rainfall can still reach the dish and center opening.

The cover pot should drain freely rather than hold standing water. At minimum, keep its bottom drainage hole open and position it over RainSpike’s center opening. Use a well-draining potting mix and avoid materials that can clog the hole so excess rainfall can readily reach the reservoir below.

Grouping RainSpikes increases the amount of stored water concentrated within one area of the garden. Instead of relying on a single reservoir, nearby plants can grow within a broader zone influenced by multiple RainSpikes, while you observe how they respond to the additional water available.

A RainSpike™ gradient places 2 or 3 RainSpikes tightly together near the plants you most want to support, then positions additional RainSpikes at increasing distances. This creates areas with different concentrations of stored water so you can observe where your plants perform best.

Place the initial 2 or 3 RainSpikes close enough that their dishes nearly form a cluster, while leaving room for plants, roots, and easy access to each RainSpike. Exact spacing is flexible; the goal is to create a concentrated watering zone that you can compare with areas farther away.

There is no universal spacing because plants, soils, rainfall, and weather vary. Instead, gradually increase the distance between RainSpikes as you move away from the main group. This creates a watering gradient that helps you observe which concentration works best in your garden.

Observe plants growing at different points along your RainSpike™ gradient. Compare soil moisture, growth, wilting, leaf condition, and how often each area needs supplemental watering. Over time, these observations can help show whether a plant benefits from being closer to or farther from the group.

Consider moving a RainSpike™ when plants farther from the main group consistently need more water, while plants near the group remain adequately moist. Relocating individual RainSpikes lets you gradually refine the gradient as weather, plant size, and water needs change throughout the season.

Loosen the soil around RainSpike™ before attempting to remove it, especially after roots have grown nearby. Gently work the reservoir free rather than pulling or twisting it forcefully. If you encounter substantial plant roots, take extra care or choose another RainSpike™ to relocate instead.

Potentially. Hot weather can increase plant water demand, while sandy soils may drain and dry more quickly. A tighter RainSpike™ grouping can provide more stored water within a smaller area. Start with your gradient, monitor soil and plants, and adjust the concentration based on what you observe.

Yes. One advantage of RainSpike’s removable design is that your layout does not need to be permanent. As plants grow, seasons change, or you learn which areas dry fastest, you can relocate individual RainSpikes to increase or decrease the concentration of stored water around different plants.

Each online order includes six RainSpikes. Our online offer is structured as Buy 5, Get 1 Free, so you pay for five RainSpikes and receive a sixth at no additional cost. This gives you multiple RainSpikes to group together or spread throughout different areas of your garden.

Buy 5, Get 1 Free means your $200 online order includes six RainSpikes total. You purchase five RainSpikes at the advertised individual dealer price of $40 each, and we include one additional RainSpike™ at no extra cost, bringing the equivalent online price to $33.33 each.

The online Buy 5, Get 1 Free pack costs $200 and includes six RainSpikes total. You are effectively purchasing five at $40 each and receiving the sixth for free. Across all six RainSpikes, that works out to an equivalent online price of approximately $33.33 per RainSpike.

The $200 online pack includes six RainSpikes, which works out to an equivalent price of approximately $33.33 per RainSpike. The offer is structured as Buy 5, Get 1 Free: five RainSpikes at the $40 advertised dealer price, plus one additional RainSpike™ at no extra cost.

RainSpike™ is currently sold online as a six-pack through our Buy 5, Get 1 Free offer. If you want fewer than six RainSpikes, use our Dealer Locator to find a participating store near you. Local dealers offer individual RainSpikes, so you can purchase only the quantity you need.

Individual RainSpikes are available through participating local dealers. Use the RainSpike™ Dealer Locator to find a nearby store carrying RainSpike. Buying locally is a good option if you want to start with one or two RainSpikes rather than ordering the six-pack available online.

RainSpike™ is advertised at $40 each through participating local dealers, making local stores a convenient option when you want fewer than the six included with an online order. Individual store pricing and availability may vary, so check with your selected dealer before visiting to purchase.

RainSpikes are sold online in six-packs to make nationwide shipping more practical while giving you enough RainSpikes to create useful groupings and gradients in your garden. The Buy 5, Get 1 Free format also reduces the equivalent price from $40 to $33.33 per RainSpike.

Yes. RainSpike™ online orders are available for nationwide shipping within the United States. Online purchases are sold as a Buy 5, Get 1 Free pack for $200, giving you six RainSpikes total. If you prefer to purchase individual RainSpikes, check the Dealer Locator for stores near you.

RainSpike’s 10-inch dish creates a broad rain-catching surface above its relatively compact reservoir. Rain landing on the dish flows toward the center opening and into the spike below, helping concentrate rainfall underground while creating a useful surface for pots, rocks, or mulch.

RainSpike’s tapered reservoir is designed to fit naturally into a prepared hole while keeping most of its water relatively close to the soil surface. The narrowing shape also makes the buried reservoir easier to remove and relocate than a vessel with a wide body or pronounced shoulders.

RainSpike™ narrows as it extends underground, so installation requires removing less soil than a similarly deep vessel with a wide body. Once a suitable hole has been prepared, the tapered reservoir can be lowered into place and surrounded with soil to support it securely in the garden.

RainSpike’s reservoir is widest near the top and narrows toward the bottom, concentrating more of its stored water closer to the soil surface. This can be helpful around younger plants whose developing root systems may not yet extend as deeply as those of established plants.

RainSpike’s 10-inch dish physically covers a small area of soil around the reservoir, much like a solid layer of mulch. By reducing the amount of exposed soil beneath it, the dish can limit space and light available for weeds to emerge directly within its covered footprint.

RainSpike’s tapered form allows multiple units to nest together rather than requiring the full volume of each individual piece. This makes groups of RainSpikes more compact when they are being stored, transported, displayed by a retailer, or prepared for installation in the garden.

Because RainSpikes can nest together, a group occupies less space than the same number of non-stackable clay vessels. That compact footprint makes RainSpikes easier to store, display, transport, and package while making more efficient use of the space required for nationwide shipping.

Traditional ollas can have rounded bodies that are wider underground than at their necks, making removal more difficult once surrounded by compacted soil and roots. RainSpike™ continuously narrows toward its tip, giving it no wide buried shoulders that must be pulled upward through the soil.

Reservoir size affects how much water RainSpike™ can store, how much soil must be disturbed during installation, and how easily it can be relocated. RainSpike™ balances these needs with a compact reservoir intended for use in groups rather than relying on one large buried vessel.

RainSpike™ does not require a strict maintenance schedule. Check it periodically to make sure the opening remains clear and water can enter freely. During hot or dry weather, check more often so you can see whether stored water is available and decide if manual filling is needed.

Most RainSpike™ cleaning should be simple. Remove leaves, soil, roots, or other debris from the center opening and rinse accessible surfaces with clean water when needed. If buildup becomes significant, carefully remove RainSpike™ from the soil so you can rinse and inspect it more thoroughly.

Yes. Leaves, soil, mulch, and other garden debris can collect around RainSpike’s center opening and slow the flow of water into the reservoir. Using a pot, rocks, or another suitable cover can help protect the opening, but check it periodically and remove accumulated material.

Yes. Water containing dissolved minerals can gradually leave deposits on terracotta, especially with repeated manual filling. If you notice visible buildup or reduced water movement, rinse and inspect RainSpike. Occasional cleaning can help prevent deposits from becoming excessive over time.

We recommend filling RainSpike™ with clean water rather than adding fertilizer directly to the reservoir. Fertilizers vary in composition and concentration and may leave salts or other deposits in porous clay. Apply your preferred fertilizer separately according to its instructions and your plant’s needs.

Yes. RainSpike™ is made from fired terracotta, so treat it as you would other clay garden pottery. It can crack or break if dropped, struck with a tool, or forced into hard or rocky soil. Prepare the installation hole first and handle RainSpike™ carefully when moving or storing it.

Before moving RainSpike™, loosen the surrounding soil so the buried reservoir can come free without excessive force. Lift it carefully rather than pulling, prying, or twisting against compacted soil. Watch for nearby plant roots and support the terracotta securely once it is out of the ground.

RainSpike™ is made from fired terracotta and is intended for repeated outdoor use. Its actual lifespan will depend on handling, soil conditions, climate, impacts, and seasonal care. Protect it from unnecessary force and inspect it periodically for cracks or damage to help extend its useful life.

RainSpike™ does not necessarily need to be removed at the end of each growing season. Whether you leave it installed depends on your climate, garden plans, and soil conditions. If you choose to remove it, loosen the surrounding soil first, clean it, let it dry, and store it safely.

RainSpike™ can remain outdoors where freezing is not a concern. In climates with hard freezes, however, water held inside the reservoir or absorbed by the terracotta may freeze and expand. Removing and storing RainSpike™ dry for winter is the safest approach when repeated freezing is expected.

Yes. Like other terracotta pottery, RainSpike™ can be vulnerable when absorbed or stored water freezes and expands. The risk depends on how saturated the clay is and the severity and repetition of freeze-thaw cycles. Keeping RainSpike™ dry during freezing weather helps reduce this risk.

Yes. If freezing weather is expected, avoid leaving RainSpike™ filled with water. Emptying the reservoir reduces the amount of water available to freeze and expand inside it. For greater protection during hard or repeated freezes, remove RainSpike™ and allow the terracotta to dry thoroughly.

If your winters regularly bring hard freezes or repeated freeze-thaw cycles, seasonal removal is the safest option. Carefully loosen RainSpike™ from the soil, clean it, allow it to dry thoroughly, and store it somewhere protected until freezing conditions have passed in spring.

Before winter storage, remove loose soil and debris, rinse RainSpike™ if needed, and let the terracotta dry thoroughly. Store it in a protected location where it will remain dry and will not be exposed to standing water, hard impacts, or repeated freezing and thawing during winter.

Yes. In warm climates where freezing temperatures are not a concern, RainSpike™ can generally remain installed throughout the year. Continue normal maintenance, keep the opening clear, and adjust manual filling as rainfall, temperatures, plant growth, and seasonal water needs change.

Risk begins when temperatures reach freezing, around 32°F (0°C), if RainSpike™ contains water or the clay is saturated. Damage is not determined by temperature alone: moisture level, freeze duration, clay properties, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles can all influence whether terracotta cracks.

Empty any remaining water, remove soil and debris, and rinse RainSpike™ if cleaning is needed. Then place it in a dry, well-ventilated location and allow the terracotta to air-dry thoroughly before storage. Do not seal it away while the clay still feels or appears damp.

We want you to have enough time to experience RainSpike™ through changing weather and a full growing season. Try it for up to one year and learn how it works with your plants, soil, and rainfall. If you’re not happy with RainSpike™ after giving it a fair try, return it for a full refund.

You can try RainSpike™ for up to one year. That gives you time to use it through changing rainfall, temperatures, plant growth, and seasonal conditions rather than judging it after only a few weeks. We encourage you to experiment with placement and learn where RainSpike™ helps most.

Our one-year guarantee gives you time to use RainSpike™ in your own garden and decide whether it works for you. If you’re not happy with your RainSpike™ purchase after giving it a fair try, you can return it within one year for a full refund of your original purchase price.

If you decide RainSpike™ is not right for your garden, contact us within one year of your purchase and let us know you would like to make a return. We’ll provide the information you need to send your RainSpike™ back and process your refund according to our return policy.

If you are requesting a full refund for an online six-pack, plan to return all six RainSpikes included with that purchase. If you have an unusual situation or only need help with part of your order, contact us first so we can review the circumstances and explain your available options.

Terracotta can be damaged if a package experiences a hard impact during shipping. If any RainSpike™ arrives cracked, broken, or otherwise damaged, contact us and provide details about the affected item and shipment. We’ll work with you to resolve the problem and make your order right.

Every soil behaves differently, so experiment with RainSpike™ placement, grouping, and manual filling before deciding whether it works for your garden. Give yourself time to observe it across changing conditions. If you’re still not happy, you can use our one-year return guarantee.

RainSpike™ online orders are sold as a Buy 5, Get 1 Free six-pack. If you want fewer RainSpikes, use our Dealer Locator to find a participating store where individual units are available. If you already placed an online order by mistake, contact us to discuss your options.