October 14, 2025
Every fall, I look forward to one of my favorite garden tours—The Water-wise Garden Tour hosted by Dallas Water Utilities and the city of Dallas. There are several smaller organizations that participate, some giving lectures at the White Rock Pump Station (the traditional starting point of the tour). That’s where one picks up the map showing the location of the participating “winners” of this year’s tour. I know in years past Dallas County Master Gardener’s Association has been both entrants and support staff. I’ve lost track of how many years Roger and I have wandered through Dallas, looking at peoples’ interpretation of what water-wise gardening entails.
Years ago, A&M Research Center on Coit Road had a program called Water University. They had examples of homes with all sorts of saving water inside and outside the home. We learned about Rainwater harvesting: how to build rain barrels for the home, rain gardens, etc. All of which we demonstrated at our Joe Field location (thanks to County Commissioner M. Dickey).
When the county closed that location in 2014, we found a new home at Midway Hills Christian Church, located at 11101 Midway Road—thus our name “The Raincatcher’s Garden of Midway Hills.” This rain garden is located near the street on Midway Hills, next to the two cisterns that were put in place shortly after we started gardening there. This noncommercial rain garden would work in most home landscapes. It captures water from heavy rains and is also used to catch overflow from the cisterns.
Although our garden is not on tour this year, feel free to visit us at 11101 Midway Road in Dallas, especially on Tuesday mornings when we are working in the garden. We love to share water saving tips.
Water Wise Garden Tour maps of the participating homes will be available at the White Rock Pump Station on Saturday and the information link can be found below.
Some yards or gardens use xeriscaping, while others have lush lawns and gardens. There are innovative uses of hardscaping.
On the 18th, I am playing tourist to get more ideas about saving water and creating a beautiful yard at home. I always find some new idea to take home to try out.
Hope to see you on the tour. Be sure to take notes or, better yet—pictures!
Cindy Bicking, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2006
Pictures by Starla Willis, Dallas County Master Gardener Class of 2011
