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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesRainscaping uses landscape and building features to slow, capture, filter, store, reuse or infiltrate rainwater. The right choice depends on where water flows across your property, how much space you have, your soil and climate, and how you use the yard. Start with one question: Where does the rain go?
Eight ways to manage rain around your home
1. Redirect a downspout
A downspout can send roof runoff toward a lawn or planted area that can safely receive it. Make sure the water will not flow toward your foundation, a neighboring property or another place where it could cause damage. There is no universal setback that fits every site, so check local guidance before changing a downspout. The EPA’s homeowner guidance includes downspout disconnection and redirection among the ways to soak up rain.
2. Store roof runoff in a rain barrel or cistern
A rain barrel or cistern catches roof runoff for later use, such as watering plants during a dry period. Plan where overflow will go when the container fills, and follow local requirements for installation and use. Collected rainwater is not drinking water; use it only for appropriate non-potable purposes. The EPA explains rain barrels as a way to collect and reuse runoff.
3. Plant a rain garden
A rain garden is a shallow planted depression that receives runoff and filters it through soil, sand or gravel. Depending on its design and site conditions, water may infiltrate into the ground; an engineered bioretention garden can include an underdrain. Before digging, assess the location, soil, drainage route, garden size, plants and maintenance needs, and consult local guidance.
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- 50-Gallon Capacity: Provides ample storage for harvested rainwater, ideal for watering gardens, lawns, and plants.
- Durable Construction: Made from UV-resistant polyethylene for long-lasting durability and protection from the elements. Made of 100% Recycled plastic.
- Overflow Valve: Built-in overflow valve for managing excess water and the option to connect multiple barrels for increased storage.
- Convenient Spigot: Easy-to-use plastic spigot for quick and efficient water retrieval.
- Low Maintenance: Easy to install and maintain, offering a simple, sustainable solution for homeowners.
4. Shape a vegetated swale
A swale is a shallow, linear channel that guides runoff along a useful flow path while vegetation or mulch slows and filters it. Depending on the soil and design, some water can infiltrate. A bioswale needs enough pervious space and a safe route for water to travel; it is not simply a decorative ditch. The EPA’s green-infrastructure overview describes bioswales as features that slow, filter and treat stormwater.
5. Choose permeable paving for a hardscape project
Permeable paving lets rain pass through the surface into a prepared layer of gravel and soil, or into an underdrain. Options include pervious concrete, porous asphalt and permeable interlocking pavers. This is a construction project involving the surface and its underlying base, not a coating that can be applied to ordinary pavement. It may suit a planned path or patio where paving is needed and site conditions allow.
6. Plant trees suited to the site
Trees intercept rain on their leaves and branches and can form part of a broader green-infrastructure plan. Choose trees for your local climate and the space they will occupy at maturity, including room for roots and canopy. A species that works in one region—or in a small yard—may be a poor fit elsewhere.
7. Use a stormwater planter where ground space is limited
A stormwater planter is a contained bioretention feature that directs runoff through soil and gravel. Depending on the design, water can infiltrate or leave through an underdrain. It may be useful where there is little open ground, but a home installation still needs sound construction and a safe overflow route.
Rank #2
- 50-Gallon Capacity: Provides ample storage for harvested rainwater, ideal for watering gardens, lawns, and plants.
- Durable Construction: Made from UV-resistant polyethylene for long-lasting durability and protection from the elements. Made of 100% Recycled plastic.
- Overflow Valve: Built-in overflow valve for managing excess water and the option to connect multiple barrels for increased storage.
- Convenient Spigot: Easy-to-use plastic spigot for quick and efficient water retrieval.
- Sturdy Stand Included: Raised design ensures easy access to the spigot on the rain barrel for efficient water retrieval.
8. Consider a green roof as a building project
A green roof uses vegetation and growing substrate to capture rain and release it gradually through drainage and evapotranspiration. It requires a suitable structural and waterproofing design, reviewed by qualified professionals. Treat it as a building project—not a casual garden or do-it-yourself roof addition. The EPA’s green-infrastructure overview explains how green roofs manage rainwater.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose the right rainscaping feature
Begin with the route water already takes, then match a feature to the job you want it to do. A storage feature such as a barrel keeps some roof runoff for later use; a planted depression or swale may filter and infiltrate water if the site supports it. Several features can work together—for example, barrel overflow can flow toward a suitable planted area—but the layout must fit the property.
- Available space and flow path: Identify the roof outlets, slopes and low points, and make sure water has a safe destination. Consider how much footprint the feature needs.
- Soil and drainage: Sandy soil, heavy clay, compaction and unusual pH can affect infiltration and plant choices. The EPA’s landscaping guidance recommends soil testing and notes that aeration may help infiltration in compacted soil.
- Climate, sun and shade: Select plants for local conditions and the light available in the intended location. Regional guidance is more useful than a universal plant list.
- Purpose and capacity: Decide whether your priority is temporary storage and reuse, filtering, infiltration, or a combination. Size and performance depend on the site and design; do not assume one feature can manage every storm or drainage problem.
- Construction, upkeep and yard use: Compare project complexity and maintenance with how your household uses the area. A planted basin, a paved path and a green roof have different design and care requirements.
- Local requirements: Check state or municipal guidance for placement, overflow, drainage, permits or other applicable rules before construction.
Mulch can reduce evaporation and erosion around plants, but it is not a substitute for an engineered stormwater feature. Choose its material and depth for the planting and site. The EPA’s mulch guidance discusses its role in rain-smart landscaping.
Plan the route before you build
Sketch the roof outlets, paved areas, slopes and places where water collects. Then decide whether to direct runoff to a safe planted area, store it for later, or use a designed feature to filter or infiltrate it. If the plan involves substantial excavation, paving, an underdrain or roof work, get site-specific advice before construction. EPA’s homeowner guide to soaking up rain was last updated July 31, 2026, and is marked as no longer being updated; verify current state and local rules for project requirements and incentives.
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