Given the abysmally rainy spring we’ve had, it seems only right to tell you about our rain chains. Maybe you didn’t know we sell them here at Kalleco. Maybe you don’t even know what they are. Let’s start there.
Rain chains are functional beauty. They’re a funny thing. I’d never even heard of them until I became a homeowner, and even then, I didn’t quite “get it.” Now I do. They’re a perfect blend of practicality and tchotchke charm. Instead of a traditional downspout, a rain chain guides water from your gutter down to the ground—usually into a basin, drain, or rain barrel. They work using the principle of surface tension—water clings and flows along the chain, forming a soft cascade.
A Little History
Rain chains originated in Japan, where they’re called kusari doi. Traditionally, they were used to collect rainwater for household tasks and spiritual practices. Their use is growing in the U.S., especially among folks who like their garden decor with a dash of intentional beauty.
Why Use One?
- Reduced Erosion: They slow down water runoff, helping prevent soil erosion.
- Peaceful Sound: The gentle trickle creates a melodic, spa-like soundtrack for your garden.
- Rainwater Harvesting: Pair one with a barrel or basin and you’ve got yourself a system.
Of course, rain chains aren’t for everyone. High winds can render them ineffective and they’re easily overwhelmed in torrential downpours. Moreover, unlike downspouts, they don’t push water away from your home. But let’s be honest—if you’ve chosen to live in the Hudson Valley, aesthetics probably factor into your life decisions. Rain chains add a certain je ne sais quoi… or maybe wabi-sabi is the better term: beauty through imperfection.
So, are they worth it? Heck yeah.
But if that’s not reason enough, and you still need convincing, here’s one that’s hard to argue with:
Birds Love Them.
Trigger warning: adorable house finch content below.
For at least the past three years (likely longer—we just hadn’t noticed), a pair of House Finches returns each spring to nest in one of our Terra Verde steel watering can rain chains. This chain is 72” long and features nine miniature watering cans, each about 3.75” in height and width, with a rust finish that’s oddly charming. It’s topped with a hook for easy hanging.
The way our distributor describes it? Honestly kind of cheesy:
“Enjoy the soothing sound of water running down this 72″ steel rain chain. Rain chains are the ultimate combination of beauty and practicality and will make water management an outstanding spectacle…”
But what they don’t say is that each little watering can is just big enough for a mama House Finch to nest in—tail sticking out and all. How adorable is that?
Meet the House Finch
As the name implies, House Finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) like to be near people. They’re drawn to hanging planters, porch lights, eaves—and apparently, rain chains. They build open cup nests of twigs and feathers and are perfectly at home in urban and suburban settings. They breed from late March to early August, laying 2–6 pale blue eggs speckled with brown. After about 13 days of incubation and 16 more as nestlings, they fledge. Bittersweet.
Fun fact: though now year-round residents in New York, House Finches aren’t originally from here. Before the 1940s, they didn’t exist on the East Coast at all. The current eastern population began with a single release of pet finches on Long Island, where dealers had been selling them (illegally) as “Hollywood Finches.” Once the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 began to be enforced in the 1940s, pet shop owners released them to avoid fines. The first documented population? March 1942—at a tree nursery in Babylon, LI. Which we find delightfully fitting.
Here we are, 80+ years later, a tree nursery ourselves, still giving them a home.
Back to the Rain Chains
The Terra Verde rain chain isn’t marketed as adjustable, but it’s modular—you can add or remove sections to suit your space. We shortened ours this year to keep it high above the stack of pallets underneath, making it a little harder for predators to climb. A small detail, but it adds to their versatility.
So now you know: Kalleco sells rain chains. Maybe you didn’t know. Maybe you’ve walked right by them. And while they haven’t exactly flown off the shelves, we’re tickled that they’re so popular with our finchy friends.
We’ve still got a few left (the kind we haven’t turned into bird nurseries), so if reading this has you wanting one, come down to KNC and say something outrageous like:
“I’m buying it for the House Finches!”
or
“All hail the Migratory Bird Treaty Act!”
…And we’ll give you 20% off. That comes out to $47.99, because the rain chains retail for $59.99. (We also carry other styles—just ask.)
Or just come to visit our own nesting pair. We’re proud of them. We’re protective of them. There are five eggs in there right now. We’re rooting for all five.
—
Yours in tchotchkes and treaty acts,
AB, The Bookkeeper
Copyright © 2025 [Kalleco Nursery Corp], All Rights Reserved.
