A Texan homeowner shared a video of their yard's remarkable transformation from a dead lawn to a flourishing garden that collects every drop of rainwater.
@symbiosis.tx Built a backyard that catches every drop of rain. Killed some Bermuda (it fought me back). Questioned my life choices. Almost murdered every plant I put in the ground. Then… somehow it actually worked. Catch the full backyard swale saga (including my record flood stress test) over on YouTube. Link in bio. #backyardswale #rainwaterharvesting #permaculture #regenliving #diylandscaping #bermudagrasssucks #homesteading #watercatchment #landscapedesign #gardeningfail #gardeningwin #offgridliving #droughtproof #rainwatercatchment ♬ original sound - Symbiosis LLC
The footage, posted to TikTok under the Symbiosis LLC account (@symbiosis.tx), took the viewer through the journey. It begins with tearing up the dead Bermuda lawn and replacing it with rocks, soil, and numerous plants. The video certainly doesn't shy away from the project's difficulty and where it went wrong. As the caption noted: "Almost murdered every plant I put in the ground. Then … somehow it actually worked."
After some "soil therapy, personal therapy, and rain," the garden finally came to life. The video shows the barrels and irrigation used to collect and distribute rainwater. "Why pay for city water when sky water free?" the narrator says.
The yard soon got a stiff test in the form of the July floods that ravaged Central Texas. The garden absorbed the massive precipitation — 19 inches of rain in just 48 hours — without any real difficulty. "Oh, cool … it worked," he says in a rather understated conclusion.
For areas like Texas, which are prone to drought, making the most of rainwater can significantly ease the pressure on municipalities. Turf lawns have little real value as they require vast quantities of water and harmful chemicals to sustain themselves. Conversely, less water-intensive gardening options offer an appealing aesthetic in harmony with the ecosystem.
The video demonstrates what's possible with a combination of effort, knowledge, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. The process might not always be smooth, but the ends more than justify that difficult journey. Capturing rainwater is a straightforward, practical, and sustainable approach, as is upgrading to a natural lawn full of vibrant, native plants.
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The comments were a mix of questions and supportive comments. One said: "This is such a good idea! Fantastic job!"
Another added their appreciation and future aspirations: "I'm obsessed with these. This is the MAIN reason I want a home with a nice-sized yard. I would have a fricken moat around my home if I could."
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