In the late afternoon of a hot summer day, the sound of falling water in the midst of your garden soothes and cools hurried lifestyles. The additions of a glittering water garden with shimmering fish and brilliant water lilies will give your garden an incredible rejuvenating quality.
The first step in the installation of a water garden is the selection of a pond site. A minimum of six hours of sunlight is required for the successful growth of most water plants.
The second step is to choose a pond liner. Pond liners are available in both flexible and preformed styles. The flexible liners come in many sizes and can be freely configured to your garden’s personality. Preformed liners come in many shapes and sizes. The rigid construction of a preformed liner makes installation a snap. Adding decorative rock, brick or wood to the perimeter will give the pond a finishing touch and add an attractive accent to the garden.
After the liner is filled with water, a pump and filter are needed to keep the water clean. Magnetically driven pumps are both reliable and energy efficient. Moving water provides oxygen for fish and the correct filter will help maintain your pond in pristine condition. Waterfalls or fountains may be added to create motion and add relaxing sounds to the garden.
Pond plants are a must when trying to maintain a perfect balance in a water garden. Ancacaris and Vallisneria provide oxygen while being completely submerged. Marginal plants and floating plants will add a lush green, colorful look. Water lilies provide an exotic accent. Feed marginal plants and lilies every three to four months using a commercial fertilizer. Floating plants, such as water hyacinth or water lettuce, should be used to cover 70 to 80 percent of the pond’s surface. This will greatly reduce the amount of algae growth by cutting down the amount of sunlight reaching the water.
During cold winter months, the water garden is almost maintenance free. Feeding fish is all that is required. Most water plants remain dormant during the winter months.
Your garden is an abundant source of therapy, and this is reflected generously though a water garden. It brings such an incredible calming ambience to the garden, well worth all the preparation and maintenance that goes into it.
For additional information, visit the water gardening experts at Green Thumb Garden Center, 23734 San Fernando Rd., Newhall.
