It’s time to think about spring. Yes, now, before the heavy runoff that begins the growing season.

Every year, melting snow piles and seasonal rain showers wreak havoc on your landscape. They wash away soil, rocks, and mulch. Or large amounts of water can pool, causing a mud-filled mess. Stormwater runoff also harms ecosystems, as it often carries pesticides and fertilizers into local wetlands and streams. There are even areas where legislation limits the use of impermeable surfaces on a property. Anything over this amount may result in fines.

Seasonal storms do not have to ruin your lush landscaping and can be naturally filtered to avoid harmful runoff. There are many ways to manage stormwater while maintaining an environmentally friendly and attractive landscape.

Create Berms and Swales

First, consider the lay of your land. Determine where the water currently flows on the property and decide if that location needs to be diverted. If the water naturally flows towards a building, you need to redirect it away from the foundation.

A berm is an excellent solution to this problem. Berms are slightly raised areas of land that can change the direction of water flow. They are often accompanied by a swale, which is an area of land that operates as a shallow vegetative gutter. By combining berms and swales, water can be absorbed in your yard or easily flow into a catchment that allows evaporation while providing a source of water for your plants.

You can build your own berm with some planning and a bit of elbow grease. Mark your planned berm with a garden hose, dig around the outline, and fill it in with absorbent gravel, clay soil, and topsoil. It may be best to contact a landscaper if you’re uncertain about the process.

Plant a Rain Garden

Rain gardens are a great option if a portion of your yard lies lower than the rest and frequently experiences stormwater pooling. They also add to a yard’s aesthetic. Guests may not even realize your rain gardens serve an environmental purpose — making this solution a win-win for any homeowner.

First, identify a low-lying area and grow a mixture of plants that require a lot of water. Some examples are daylilies, bee balm, and butterfly weed. If you do not have a low-lying area, you can dig one yourself or hire a professional landscaper. You’ll soon have a sustainable rain garden with just a little care and maintenance.

Install Bioswales for Enhanced Filtration

Homeowners with longer drainage runs, particularly along driveways or property boundaries, should consider building a bioswale. These vegetated channels work similarly to swales, incorporating specially amended soils and native plants to maximize water infiltration and pollutant removal.

Bioswales can absorb 30% more stormwater than conventional lawns. They can reduce surface water pollution from runoff by 70%. The native plants’ deep root systems help control stormwater flow while creating habitats for pollinators and local wildlife. These systems work best on gentle slopes of 5% or less and require minimal maintenance once established with drought-tolerant native species.

Hardscape With Permeable Pavers

Residential communities in rainy regions often struggle to control the environmental effects of runoff. In fact, one urban block produces five times as much runoff as a forested area would. Paved cities can become disaster zones when parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks prevent natural water absorption.

What’s a homeowner to do? Enter permeable pavers. They offer a way to manage stormwater with your driveway, patio, and other hard surfaces. The stormwater flows through the paver into the soil, rather than running off into the street.

Use permeable pavers in your hardscaping to contribute to a long-term solution for stormwater runoff. While it’s a more expensive step than gardening, it’s also highly impactful for your community. The next time you pave your driveway or work on your patio, do some research to help you decide if this option makes sense for your climate.

Gravel and Stone Beds

Gravel areas and stone beds provide a porous surface that allows stormwater to filter through and be absorbed into the soil below quickly. These beds are often used in swales and are popular for their natural look. Plus, they’re great options for climates where grass doesn’t grow easily.

Creating gravel or stone beds can slow runoff, filter water, and aid in the reabsorption of stormwater. Try digging your own gravel path to create an attractive, environmentally friendly landscaping feature. Mark where you want to place the path, dig two to three inches deep, then layer in a hard stone pack on the bottom and some gravel or crushed stone on top.

Create a Dry Creek Bed

If you have areas where water naturally channels through your yard during storms, consider building a dry creek bed. This attractive landscaping feature mimics natural stream beds using strategically placed rocks and boulders to guide water flow.

Dry creek beds help channel excess water away from structures, prevent soil erosion, and encourage water infiltration into the ground to replenish groundwater supplies. They’re particularly useful on sloped properties or in shady areas where grass struggles to grow. The key is creating gentle curves that mimic natural water flow. Use larger boulders on the edges and smaller, smooth river rocks in the center of the creek bed. When designed well, dry creek beds require minimal maintenance while adding significant visual interest to your landscape.

Consider a Green Roof

Homeowners with flat or low-slope roofs on garages, sheds, or home additions can install green roofs, which offer an innovative solution for stormwater management. Also called living roofs, these systems feature a waterproof membrane, drainage layer, lightweight growing medium, and adapted vegetation.

Green roofs can capture 50 to 60% of rainfall, cycling it back into the atmosphere through plant transpiration before it enters the stormwater system. The vegetation and soil absorb rainfall and gradually release excess water, reducing sudden runoff that can overwhelm drainage systems. Beyond stormwater benefits, green roofs also improve building insulation, extend roof life, and create habitat for pollinators. While the upfront cost is higher than traditional roofing, the long-term benefits for both your property and the environment make it worth considering for new construction or roof replacement projects.

Steep Slopes Can Be Good for Runoff

Keep the slope of the land in mind when designing your stormwater-friendly landscape. If your property slopes toward any buildings, you will want to divert that water. Steep slopes, however, can be beneficial for stormwater absorption.

You can create tiered retaining walls with stone and plant various shrubs, grasses, and perennials that require ample water. These terraces will slow the flow of water down a steep slope. This reduces soil erosion and runoff while the plants absorb and use the excess water.

The Power of Native Plants

Regardless of which stormwater management approach you choose, selecting native plants dramatically improves performance. Native plants have deeper root systems than turfgrass and non-native species, making them better able to control stormwater flow, increase water infiltration, and filter pollutants. They also require less maintenance, no fertilizer, and provide essential habitat for pollinators and wildlife.

Work with your local native plant nursery or extension office to identify species adapted to both wet and dry conditions in your area. These plants will thrive in the challenging environments created by stormwater features, while providing year-round interest and ecological benefits.

Take Advantage of Financial Incentives

Before starting your stormwater landscaping project, check with your local municipality about available incentives. Many communities now offer credits or rebates for stormwater management installations such as rain gardens, permeable surfaces, and tree planting. Others offer direct installation programs or cost-sharing for eligible projects.

These financial incentives can significantly offset installation costs while helping your community meet water quality goals. Contact your city’s stormwater department or public works division to learn what programs are available in your area.

Landscaping Tips for Stormwater Runoff

Ultimately, it’s important to research which of these steps makes the most sense for you. Your landscape plan will depend on your climate, the amount of precipitation you get, and the size of your yard.

For example, you may not want to plant a rain garden if you live in a place that is dry for many months and then sees severe storms. Instead, you may opt for permeable pavers, dry creek beds, or stone beds. With increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and more intense storm events, combining multiple strategies often provides the most resilient solution.

Whatever you choose, know that you’re doing good things for your environment. The more you can do to stop runoff and encourage the filtering and reabsorption of stormwater, the better off the surrounding ecosystems will be.

About the Author

Holly Welles is a home improvement writer and the editor of The Estate Update. Her work on environmental design has been published on Today’s Homeowner, Build Magazine, and other publications.

Editor’s Note: Originally published on November 19, 2019, this article was substantially updated in November 2025.