If you’re wondering how to make the most of the rain Texas gets, try building a rain garden! Rain gardens are comprised of native perennials, shrubs, and flowers planted in a shallow depression designed to hold and soak rainwater into the soil. Rain gardens can provide so many benefits, including reducing flooding, improving water quality, and replenishing groundwater.
Find the Right Location
Finding the right location in your yard is crucial. Rain gardens are typically built where water pools or rainwater runs off roofs, gutters, driveways, or sidewalks. If you have low areas or depressions where water collects, this is an ideal spot to plant a rain garden. If you don’t have any preexisting low areas, you can redirect water from a downspout to create a rain garden, just be sure that the garden is at least ten feet away from your house so water does not seep into the foundation. Similarly, you do not want to build a rain garden that is sloping toward your home. Your rain garden should be mostly flat or slope gently away from your home.
Prepare the Site
First, remove any lawn or vegetation that is already growing in the area where you plan to start your garden. Next, you’ll need to test your soil. After you have irrigated or after it has rained, dig a hole six inches in diameter and roughly twelve inches deep in the area you are planning to start your garden. Insert a ruler at the center of the hole, fill the hole with water up to the six-inch mark, then time how long it takes the water to absorb into the ground. The water should be absorbed within 24 hours. If water is still in the hole after 24 hours, the site is not suitable for a rain garden.
Calculate the Size of Your Garden
Most rain gardens range from 100 to 300 square feet. If you want to maximize your rain garden’s efficiency, you can calculate your ideal size. To estimate this number, measure the square footage of impervious surfaces (roof, patio, walkways, etc.) that will contribute runoff to your garden and divide it by six. For example, if you have 800 square feet of rooftop that will provide runoff after rainfall, then your rain garden should be roughly 133 square feet. Your rain garden dimensions could be 6 x 22 feet or 10 x 13 feet.
Start Constructing
Start by digging a six-inch-deep shallow basin with gently sloping edges with the deepest point at its center. If your garden is on a slight slope, build a berm (mound of compacted soil) at the downslope side of the basin to catch and hold water runoff. Use an earthen berm, stone, or timber to make sure the top border of the basin is level. This will distribute overflow evenly across the perimeter of the garden. Finally, amend the soil in the basin with compost. Now you’re ready to start planting!
Select your Plants
Native and adapted plants are the best options for your Texas rain garden, however, the specific plants you use for your garden will depend on your personal preferences and your location. Texas’ climate varies dramatically across the state, so some native plants may not be suited for your area. Select a mix of plants with different foliage, textures, and flowers that bloom at different times so a variety of food sources are available for pollinators year-round. The plants with the highest water needs should be planted toward the center of the garden and more drought-tolerant plants should be placed along the perimeter. Some commonly recommended plants for Texas landscapes are:
For more plant options, see Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s list of plants suited for rain gardens or search the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center native plant database.
Maintenance
Caring for your garden in the first few weeks after planting is critical to its success. It’s important to water it regularly in the first growing season, especially during dry spells, until plants have established a deep root system. Remember to weed as needed, prune plants as individual species require, and clean out excess debris and old growth in the spring. Additionally, do not over-fertilize your garden as it’s unnecessary for most native and adapted plants.
As Texas becomes increasingly urbanized, it’s crucial to create native landscapes that provide habitat for wildlife, reduce stormwater runoff, and recharge groundwater sources. Rain gardens are an excellent choice for homeowners who want to improve their gardens and maximize Texas' rainfall. In just six steps, you can create a lush, self-sustaining garden that will provide food for pollinators and add value to your property.
