Save Water by Creating a Self Watering Rain Garden Planter | the Rhs

RHS Community Horticultural Specialist Rosie Carr is at the Garden Gate Project community garden in Margate, creating a rain garden planter from a recycled galvanised steel tank. Follow along as Rosie demonstrates how to install the drainage system, create an overflow, choose the right growing medium and select resilient plants that can cope with both drought and periods of heavy rainfall.

Designed to collect overflow from a water harvesting system, this self watering planter is a practical way to make the most of rainfall while helping to slow the movement of water during heavy downpours. Filled with a free-draining growing mix and planted with species adapted to changing conditions, it offers an attractive solution for climate-resilient gardening.

The planter features daylilies, yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Geranium 'Rozanne', society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) and devil's-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis), all chosen for their ability to thrive in both wet and dry conditions.

💧 Have you created a rain garden or found ways to harvest water in your garden? We'd love to hear about it in the comments below.

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