Be Water Wise and Build a Rain Garden

Rain gardens are a great way to reduce flooding, improve water quality, and add beauty to your yard. They are shallow, vegetated depressions that are designed to capture and filter stormwater runoff and are especially beneficial in areas like Central Texas, a region that is prone to flooding.

Here are some easy steps to create a rain garden in your yard:

Choose a location.
The best location for a rain garden is in a low-lying area that is close to your home’s downspouts. This will help to ensure that the rain garden captures as much stormwater runoff as possible.
Prepare the soil.
The soil in the rain garden should be loose and well-drained. If the soil is compacted, you may need to loosen it up with a shovel or tiller.
Add a layer of gravel.
A layer of gravel at the bottom of the rain garden will help to improve drainage.
Plant the rain garden.
Once the soil is prepared, you can start planting your rain garden. Be sure to choose plants that are native or adapted to your area and that are tolerant of wet soil.
Water the rain garden.
After you have planted your rain garden, be sure to water it regularly. The rain garden will need to be watered for several weeks or months until the plants are established.

Benefits of Rain Gardens

Rain gardens offer a number of benefits, including:

Reduce flooding: Rain gardens can help to reduce flooding by slowing down and absorbing stormwater runoff. This can help to prevent flooding in your yard and in nearby streets and homes.
Improve water quality: Rain gardens help to improve water quality by filtering out pollutants from stormwater runoff. This can help to keep our streams and rivers clean and healthy.
Add beauty to your yard: Rain gardens can be planted with a variety of native plants that are attractive and drought-tolerant. This can add beauty to your yard and attract wildlife.
Save money on water bills: Rain gardens can help you save money on your water bill by reducing the amount of water you need to use for irrigation.

How to Choose a Location

The best location for a rain garden is near your home’s downspouts. This will help to ensure that the rain garden captures as much stormwater runoff as possible. When choosing a location, also consider the following:

Sunlight: Rain gardens need at least six hours of sunlight per day.
Slope: The area should be level or have a gentle slope.
Drainage: The area should have good drainage.
Size: The size of the rain garden will depend on the amount of stormwater runoff you need to capture.

How to Prepare the Soil

The soil in the rain garden should be loose and well-drained. If the soil is compacted, you may need to loosen it up with a shovel or tiller. You may also need to add compost or other organic matter to the soil to improve drainage.

How to Install a Rain Garden

Once you have chosen a location and prepared the soil, you can start installing your rain garden. Follow these steps:

Dig a hole that is 6-12 inches deep and 3-6 feet wide.
Line the bottom of the hole with landscape fabric.
Add a layer of gravel to the bottom of the hole.
Add a layer of soil on top of the gravel.
Plant your rain garden with native plants.
Water your rain garden regularly.

Maintenance

Once your rain garden is established, it will require minimal maintenance. You will need to water the rain garden during dry periods and remove any weeds that may grow. You may also need to add mulch to the rain garden to help keep the soil moist and to suppress weeds.

Tips

Here are some additional tips for creating a rain garden in Lakeway:

Use native plants. Native plants are adapted to the local climate and conditions, so they are more likely to thrive in your rain garden.
Choose plants that are drought-tolerant. Lakeway is a semi-arid climate, so it is important to choose plants that can tolerate dry conditions.
Consider the size of your rain garden. The size of your rain garden will depend on the amount of stormwater runoff you need to capture.
Get help from a professional. If you are not sure how to create a rain garden, you can get help from a professional landscaper or arborist.

Rain gardens are a great way to reduce flooding, improve water quality, and add beauty to your yard. Try creating a rain garden this year!