How to collect rainwater in your garden

With spring around the corner and summer ready to bring us long sunny days, occasional thunderstorms, and heat waves, now is the perfect time to consider sustainable water management for your garden. 

Our gardening specialists at Grass247 highlight three budget-friendly ways of collecting rainwater, such as rain butts, rain chains, ponds, and bird baths, that can help conserve water and mitigate the effects of excessive rainfall on both natural and artificial grass. 

Check them out below. 

Three easy and effective ways of collecting rainwater when on a budget

1. Rain Butts

One of the simplest and most effective ways of collecting rainwater is through rain butts—also known as rain barrels. 

There are lots of different things you can use for these rainwater collection systems, for example, an old bin, plastic tub, or a large plant pot can have its holes filled in to be reused as a water barrel.

Water butts help provide a reliable water source for dry periods, especially during the summer months that are prone to droughts. 

Simply place containers where there’s no coverage from foliage for rainwater collection. Alternatively, place containers underneath the roof gutter drainage. The water can then be stored and used for later. 

If the water is being kept without a lid on, ensure you cover it with a mesh-like material to avoid debris like leaves and twigs contaminating the water which can cause disease in plants and flowers. 

2. Rain Chains

Decorative yet functional, rain chains guide water from the roof into collection containers, offering a visually appealing alternative to traditional downspouts. 

Rain chains can help slow water flow, reducing soil displacement and preventing water pooling in unwanted areas. Flooding can damage your grass health and, if not prevented, can lead to long-term and sometimes irreversible damage.

If you’re looking for ways to spring clean your garden, check out the best ways to clean and care for your lawn.

3. Add a pond or bird bath to your garden

If you have the space in your garden you can add a pond or bird bath as a natural way to store water in your garden. 

They can act as a water collector by capturing rainwater, managing runoff from rooftops or paved areas, and helping replenish groundwater through seepage. 

Proper placement and design of a pond or bird bath can also help your surrounding wildlife thrive. 

Worried about how artificial grass will affect your pets? Check out our top tips for keeping artificial grass cool in summer to protect their paws. 

What happens to artificial grass when it rains? 

While rain is a lifeline for natural grass, excessive downpours can lead to waterlogging, soil erosion, and the proliferation of weeds in a natural garden. 

Artificial grass is designed for durability, but to ensure you don't experience any problems like standing water or moss growth after heavy rainfall, proper drainage for your artificial grass is essential. 

Investing in proper sub-base preparation and drainage solutions is key to maintaining the quality of artificial turf during heavy rains.

Believe it or not, as long as your artificial grass has a robust drainage system, rainfall can actually help keep your turf clean. The rainwater can help to wash away any small debris that’s accumulated on the surface. 

Is it illegal to collect rainwater?

In the UK, it is perfectly legal to collect rainwater. In fact, collecting rainwater is often encouraged, and can help homeowners tend to their gardens in the event of summer hosepipe bans. 

However, whilst it’s completely legal to collect rainwater, some regulations apply. The government website explains that people collecting rainwater don’t need a water abstraction licence in the following circumstances: 

• If you're harvesting rainwater into a reservoir, with or without an overflow, so long as it only contains rainwater. 

• If you’re harvesting rainwater that has not entered inland surface water or groundwater. 

• If your rainwater storage system is used for irrigation (water used on plants, lawns, etc), and is not a source of water supply 

Full details can be found on the government website.

With unpredictable rainfall becoming more common, homeowners need to think ahead when it comes to water management. By implementing rainwater collection methods and ensuring proper drainage for artificial grass, you can keep your garden looking its best while also being environmentally responsible.

Looking for more tips on how to get your garden ready for spring? Check out our tips for maintaining artificial grass in spring.

If you’re struggling to find suitable artificial grass care products, why not take a look at our comprehensive, high-quality accessories?  

From adhesives to underlays to pegs and pins, we have everything you need to have a stunning-looking lawn that lasts.