Water gardens are becoming very popular in todays gardens. You do not need to have a large backyard to enjoy water a water garden because a simple tub or small fountain can add a water feature to even the smallest of yards. With a little planning and some research, you can add a water garden to your yard and enjoy the relaxing sound of water as it flows through your water feature or fountain.
If you want to have fish, you will probably need a larger pond. Fish need about two feet of water to provide them protection from predators and a constant water temperature. I made the mistake of adding some fish to a smaller tub on the porch one year and our hot Texas sun heated the water in the smaller tub too hot for the fish to bear. You can use the tub feature with some plants, such as irises, on a porch or patio with a small bucket cascading into the larger tub and this will make a great relaxing water feature.
Where you put your water garden is also important. Water lilies need full sun in the afternoon and some shade in the late afternoon. You also do not want to place it under a shedding tree because you do not want the leaves to fall in the pond and muck up the water. The size of your backyard and the size of your budget also determines the size of your pond. Quite frankly, the larger the pond, the more likely it is to balance naturally and you will have more room for fish and plants.
If you are just starting out with water gardening, the pre-made shells are a perfect starter pond. Kits include the pumps, fountains and water falls and can be set up in a single afternoon. Allow your pond to settle before adding any fish. Since algae is often problematic in water features, I strongly recommend a UV sterilizer hooked into your system to help control the algae and bacteria. You also do not want to overstock your pond with fish because the waste products may overwhelm your filter mechanism.
Once you get hooked on a water garden, you will want to step up to the lined garden ponds. These ponds can be built in a weekend and depending on how hard your soil is and how in shape your are, can be dug out with a shovel or you can rent a small bobcat for the excavation. By building in different levels to your pond, you can have shelves to place your plants. If you have a sloping backyard, you can even add small streams to your water feature. Adding two ponds together with a cedar bridge crossing adds a great element to your water garden.
You will also need several pumps for your water garden. One pump will be for your filter and waterfall and another pump can power your fountain. There are many different nozzles for fountains and you are sure to find one that you like. Adding lights to your pond can enhance your fountain feature and you can enjoy your pond even in the evening. There are also some water lilies that are night bloomers, so if you work late, you can still enjoy your water lilies when you come home at night.
Water gardens do take some time for maintenance, but if you set the pond up properly with a skimmer, filter, and UV sterilizer, taking care of it will be a lot easier. Your water lilies will sometimes need to be thinned out and a pond vacuum will help with the fall cleaning. A long pole with a net at the end will also help with the leaf control. Planting your marginal plants in containers will keep them from taking over the pond.
If you keep fish in your pond, predator protection is also a consideration. Hawks, owls and raccoons love to eat your koi as I found out when a very large owl swooped down one evening and plucked one of my favorite koi from my pond. If you have predators, you will need to provide a deeper section with a screen or cinder block for the koi to hide. In my case, I may need to add a pergola over my next pond to keep the owls and herons from feasting on my fish.
Before you go and try to set up your first water garden, do a little research on the planning and care of your water feature. Take into account the size of your yard, the money to invest and the time you will have to take care of your water feature. If you do not set up your pond properly, you will have algae problems and dying fish. So start with a smaller water feature until you get the hang of things. For more information on garden ponds and garden features, you can visit my website at http://mygardenbridge.com.
If you want to have fish, you will probably need a larger pond. Fish need about two feet of water to provide them protection from predators and a constant water temperature. I made the mistake of adding some fish to a smaller tub on the porch one year and our hot Texas sun heated the water in the smaller tub too hot for the fish to bear. You can use the tub feature with some plants, such as irises, on a porch or patio with a small bucket cascading into the larger tub and this will make a great relaxing water feature.
Where you put your water garden is also important. Water lilies need full sun in the afternoon and some shade in the late afternoon. You also do not want to place it under a shedding tree because you do not want the leaves to fall in the pond and muck up the water. The size of your backyard and the size of your budget also determines the size of your pond. Quite frankly, the larger the pond, the more likely it is to balance naturally and you will have more room for fish and plants.
If you are just starting out with water gardening, the pre-made shells are a perfect starter pond. Kits include the pumps, fountains and water falls and can be set up in a single afternoon. Allow your pond to settle before adding any fish. Since algae is often problematic in water features, I strongly recommend a UV sterilizer hooked into your system to help control the algae and bacteria. You also do not want to overstock your pond with fish because the waste products may overwhelm your filter mechanism.
Once you get hooked on a water garden, you will want to step up to the lined garden ponds. These ponds can be built in a weekend and depending on how hard your soil is and how in shape your are, can be dug out with a shovel or you can rent a small bobcat for the excavation. By building in different levels to your pond, you can have shelves to place your plants. If you have a sloping backyard, you can even add small streams to your water feature. Adding two ponds together with a cedar bridge crossing adds a great element to your water garden.
You will also need several pumps for your water garden. One pump will be for your filter and waterfall and another pump can power your fountain. There are many different nozzles for fountains and you are sure to find one that you like. Adding lights to your pond can enhance your fountain feature and you can enjoy your pond even in the evening. There are also some water lilies that are night bloomers, so if you work late, you can still enjoy your water lilies when you come home at night.
Water gardens do take some time for maintenance, but if you set the pond up properly with a skimmer, filter, and UV sterilizer, taking care of it will be a lot easier. Your water lilies will sometimes need to be thinned out and a pond vacuum will help with the fall cleaning. A long pole with a net at the end will also help with the leaf control. Planting your marginal plants in containers will keep them from taking over the pond.
If you keep fish in your pond, predator protection is also a consideration. Hawks, owls and raccoons love to eat your koi as I found out when a very large owl swooped down one evening and plucked one of my favorite koi from my pond. If you have predators, you will need to provide a deeper section with a screen or cinder block for the koi to hide. In my case, I may need to add a pergola over my next pond to keep the owls and herons from feasting on my fish.
Before you go and try to set up your first water garden, do a little research on the planning and care of your water feature. Take into account the size of your yard, the money to invest and the time you will have to take care of your water feature. If you do not set up your pond properly, you will have algae problems and dying fish. So start with a smaller water feature until you get the hang of things. For more information on garden ponds and garden features, you can visit my website at http://mygardenbridge.com.
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