The waterfalls bring a calm and peaceful atmosphere to the water garden. They are not only pleasing to the eye, but also the mild sound of the waterfall is really a relaxing treat to the senses.
Building a water garden under a tree should be avoided because so much shade will hinder the growth of plants. Also, your pond will become dirty more often due to falling leaves and branches.
Pond liners are an important component used in water garden construction. These liners are available in various materials such as plastic, rubber, fiberglass, and concrete. Pond liners create the basic structure for the garden.
What are skimmers? These are a sort of mechanical filter that cleans the bigger-sized surface debris in the water before it reaches the pump. Skimmers maintain water quality and reduce maintenance.
What are filters used for in a water garden? They are used for the sole purpose of cleaning water. They make the water safe for fishes and plants. The filters can be either biological or mechanical.
"I am in awe of flowers. Not because of their colors, but because even though they have dirt in their roots, they still grow. They still bloom." - D. Antoinette Foy
It’s important to choose the right size pump for your pond. As a rule of thumb, it should be circulating the entire pond’s water a minimum of once every hour.
“A flower’s appeal is in its contradictions — so delicate in form yet strong in fragrance, so small in size yet big in beauty, so short in life yet long on effect.” –Terri Guillemets
Ina Garten once said, “My extravagance is my garden – it’s the first thing I look at every morning when I wake up. It gives me so much pleasure.”
A pond is one of the most rewarding features you can add to your garden. Whether you choose a small or a full-scale pond, soothing sounds of running water and the beautiful water plants bring peace and serenity to your landscape.
You need not worry about feeding your pond fish if you’re going on a short vacation. Fish eat algae and other beneficial bacteria off the rocks and gravel in your pond. So, they won’t become malnourished during your absence.
“Every garden is unique with a multitude of choices in soils, plants and themes. Finding your garden theme is as easy as seeing what brings a smile to your face.” -Teresa Watkins
It’s important to create a proper balance of plants in your water garden. Have only 40% to 60% of your pond’s surface area covered by plants. Too many plants can cause oxygen deficiencies at night, and your fish won’t survive.
“Good planting design does not follow a formula. At best, it allows you to experiment with nature and through nature to make an original statement.” - James Van Sweden
Do not buy more fish food than you need in one season. Freezing isn’t an option because it damages the fats in the food which compromises the fat-soluble vitamins.
Gertrude Jekyll has rightly said, “The love of gardening is a seed that once sown never dies but grows to the enduring happiness that the love of gardening gives.”
It’s a myth that ponds need daily water testing and corrective treatment. In reality, if the pond is not chemically dependent, there’s nothing to test for. The pond that works with Mother Nature will grow healthy on its own.
Do you know that the presence of river pebbles and rocks in a pond supports the development of purifying bacteria that break down organic matter? Thus, they prevent the accumulation of sludge at the bottom of the pond.
Water features are often seen as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. While it’s true that mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, a well-designed water garden has lots of water flow, which solves the problem. Moreover, mosquitoes make a good snack for fish.
Because water lilies rest on the top of the water surface, they keep the pond cooler and protect fish from the direct heat of the sun. As such, they also prevent the excessive growth of algae that thrives in heat.
If you build a water garden under trees, their shade will keep the water cooler and prevent algae growth. If you are worried about having more leaves in your pond in the fall, simply install a net over it.
How often should you feed the fish? During summers, fish can find enough food in the pond to feed themselves. In the fall, they need to be fed so they can accumulate a reserve of fat to survive through winter.