Water gardens are one of the hottest trends in gardening. Water gardens can consist of fountains, ponds, and waterfalls. Water gardens can be enhanced through with different styles, shapes, and sizes of rocks, fish and plant life. The best thing about water gardens is they don't have to exist as a natural pond. A water garden can consist from large plastic tubs, sculptured prefabricated pond liners or a hole dug in the ground with a heavy duty liner.
Choosing a Size
The spot chosen for the water garden is the most important aspect of this garden feature. Places that have the most direct sunlight are the best choice for a water garden. This is due to the plants and fish requiring direct sunlight. By finding the most open spot available will help cut down on leaves and other objects from gathering in the water.
Before digging or anything else, decide how large you want your water garden. Depending on how much you are willing to spend can also help determine the size of your water garden. Also, decide how many rocks, fish and plants that will be added to the water garden. Maintaining the water garden will play a role in the size of it.
Aquatic Plants
Plants should not cover more than half the water garden. There are three types of aquatic plants from which to choose. Marginal, free floating, and submerged are the three types of aquatic plants used in water gardens. There are aquatic plants that are known for the scents. While others provide oxygen for the water garden, some help in maintaining the water garden and keeping it healthy, and other aquatic plants that are just beautiful to look at.
Fish
Fish are beneficial to the water garden and are beautiful to look at. Fish, which help with insect and larva control, in the water garden also help control algae.
Algae Control in Water Ponds
By using fish, this will help cut down on algae's control pesticides. By not over feeding the fish, this will help cut down on the algae in the water pond. The alga builds up from the nutrients from the fish food.
Another way to control algae is to reduce feeding and fertilizing of the aquatic plants, planting more plants that help maintain the water garden, and cleaning the water garden's plastic tubs or liners. Algae control chemicals are available to be used in help controlling the algae. Be aware that these algae control chemicals do contain copper compounds and can kill your plants and fish if over used.
Water Garden Maintenance
Maintenance on the water garden should be done throughout the year. Having a healthy balance of living items in your water garden can almost ensure the water garden maintains itself. By doing this, a little bit of maintenance will make your water garden last forever. Also, building the water garden correctly and maintained on a regular basis will help control the algae. That will also help ensure the life of the plants, fish, and water garden itself.
While there are major differences in water gardening and regular gardening, water gardening doesn't take any longer than any other type of gardening. Water gardening may be the type of a garden for those who have a brown thumb. Water gardening is also a great way to occupy some time.
