How to build a thriving rain garden this season

April showers bring May flowers, right? But what if you’re a gardener living in a dry or drought-ridden climate?

Then chances are you’ve at least considered harnessing the powers of precipitation (when it does finally rain) to your advantage. And one of the first ways plant lovers usually think to save water for their gardens is by using a rain barrel.

But the truth is, rain barrels aren’t always the best solution. And some gardening experts have something entirely different in mind when they talk about creating a rain garden.

Curious about how you can keep your garden healthy and hydrated? Then check out the tips for using rainstorms to your advantage this summer — no barrel required.

Why we’re ditching the rain barrel

Besides being an eyesore, rain barrels have a few serious disadvantages. Mainly, they might introduce many things to your garden you didn’t bargain for — like garden pests or even flooding.

“Rain barrels also don’t match garden needs with weather conditions,” says Clive Harris of DIY Garden. “Rain might fill your barrels when your plants don’t need water. And when they need it, the water may be contaminated by bacteria and algae growth.”

Another downside of rain barrels is getting your water into the garden. It’s easy enough to plop a rain barrel into a corner of the patio where water streams off your roof. But without a delivery plan in place, you’re just creating a stinky, high-maintenance pond.

Last but certainly not least: Rain barrels aren’t legal in some locales — as they’re thought to hoard essential water needed for

landscapes in extreme drought.

So what can you do instead of using a rain barrel? Build a rain garden!

How to build a barrel-less rain garden

At its most basic, a rain garden follows the principles of hardscaping (i.e., moving dirt and rocks around) to direct rainfall into your garden beds. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Map out your water flow

Gravity plays a vital role in your rain garden planning. So start by identifying the highest point of rain collection on your property, which is usually a gutter. Then figure out how to move that water away from your home and into your gardens.

“Rain gardens use elevation to direct water to where you want it, thereby using water that

otherwise may have been lost or ended up where you didn’t want it,” says Kate Russell of The Daily Garden.

Step 2: Group similar plants together

Before starting any serious hardscaping, you’ll want to be sure you have plants with similar water needs in the same areas. This will make things much easier when planning how much water each garden zone should get.

“Hydro-zoning is grouping plants with similar water needs,” says Russell. “If mixed water use plants are grouped, some plants will get too much water while others won’t.”

Step 3: Select native plants

Now’s also an excellent time to consider the kinds of plants you want in your garden. The more native plants you use, the less supplemental watering

you’ll need to do, as they will typically be more tolerant of local weather patterns. (Bonus: Bees love native plants!)

Translation? If you live in the desert, don’t plant water-hungry roses.

“And when selecting plants for your rain garden, it’s important to choose species that are not only well-suited to your climate but also your soil type and particular drainage conditions,” says Brock Ingham of Bigger Garden.

Step 4: Direct the flow of water

Once you’ve figured out where the water needs to go, it’s time to start shaping your garden.

“If you have natural high points on your property, such as roofs or hills, use these to direct rainfall,” says gardening expert Richa Kedia, of Nursery Lady. “This creates a slope that leads toward your garden, allowing water to flow naturally.”

Kedia recommends using soil and rocks to create a path for water to follow. Ensure the slope is a gradual one. If it’s too steep, it can cause erosion or damage to your plants during a big storm.

If your property isn’t large enough to warrant hardscaping, you can still ensure the water settles into your garden. One trick? Making sure your garden beds are lower than your walkways.

“This allows water to pool where you want it rather than running off into other areas,” says Kedia. “For this area, use soil that can absorb water quickly and plants that tolerate wet conditions.”

Step 5: Build garden pools

Now that you have water flowing in the right direction, consider ways to prolong the water absorption in your garden.

“Build a natural pool in the middle of your garden by creating a depression in the ground, which allows water to pool and slowly seep into the soil,” says Kedia.

Just be sure your pool is deep enough to hold water but not so deep that it becomes a small pond and a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Step 6: Mulch and maintain

A final important aspect of your rain garden is to do everything you can to keep water in the ground.

“Be sure to add a layer of mulch around your plants to help retain soil moisture,” says Ingham. “Regular maintenance, such as watering, pruning, and weeding, will also be necessary to keep your rain garden healthy and thriving.”

SHUTTERSTOCK Gravity plays a vital role in your rain garden planning. So start by identifying the highest point of rain collection on your property, which is usually a gutter.