Finding a Water Garden That Works for Your Backyard
Posted: Tuesday, January 09, 2007
by lorien1973
Online Discount Mart Home & Garden Decor
For those who love nature and all it has to offer, a water garden is the perfect feature for the backyard. These four water garden style options make the water garden a feasible option for backyards of every size and style.
Water gardens are the perfect solution for every homeowner who wishes to add visual appeal to their backyard. The liners make it possible for your water garden to be placed in a variety of locations, in the sun or in moderate shade. The designs are incredibly flexible, allowing the water garden to fit any budget and any size yard. They are perfect for families with small children because a water garden can be made shallow to prevent accidents. Additionally, a water garden is a must for bird and wildlife lovers because the plants and water will attract birds and other animals.
The fishpond takes considerably longer to construct and requires the most maintenance, however, fishponds are very attractive and perfect for those who enjoy watching fish. They require a larger pump, the actual size varying according to the true volume of the pond. You will also have to purchase a pond filter, the appropriate plants, and, of course, the fish. Be certain to consider the type of soil you have before purchasing your liner. Clay soil is ideal for in-ground ponds using a flexible liner because the soil will support the pond shape, though the digging will be difficult. If you have sandy soil, a preformed liner will ensure that your pond stays in the intended figure. For those homes that have incredibly rocky soil, installing an above ground pond is best.
Fountain Pond
The fountain pond is the simplest variation of the water garden, requiring only the fountain and the water. Depending on the type of fountain purchased, it can be placed amidst a flower garden or at any other designated location in the yard, including a fish-free pond. Installation is possible both above the ground and in the ground and fountainheads can be purchased in a large variety of spray patterns. Decorative rock fountains arranged on a grate that covers the pump are fantastic for homes with small children as there will not be any excess water that might cause harm. With fountains that are placed in an empty pond, keeping the water crystal clear is incredibly easy because it is safe to use chemicals that would otherwise be harmful to aquatic life.
Bogs
Whereas ponds contain large quantities of water, bogs are simply areas with wet ground. Though bogs are a fantastic compliment to any pond, they are excellent on their own as well. Bogs are much easier to construct because they require very little digging and maintenance. You will need to purchase liner in order to construct your bog, but you will be placing several slits in your liner to allow the bog to drain slightly. The liner mainly serves as a method of containing the moisture. Silica sand and peat moss are the best bog fillers. It will be necessary to supplement the water supply from time to time. This can be done either by old-fashioned hand watering, or by a soaker hose. Do not forgot to plant several types of plant life in and around your bog to attract the local wildlife and enhance the view of your backyard.
Container Gardens
Container gardens are, by far, the easiest to set up and maintain. Requiring only a couple hours of setup time, they are simple to design and work well for any size space. The options for the container are endless which allows the water garden creator to choose a container that fits his or her style. Any watertight container will work including any barrel, bowl, bucket, or trough. If you choose to use a wooden container, or any other container with a porous nature, you will want to either use a flexible liner or a water garden sealant to ensure that the water stays in the container. When choosing plants for your container garden, keep in mind the size of your container and the final size of the plant. You will want to stick with plants that will fit in your container after they are fully grown. Container gardens are great for fish, but you have to keep in mind that your fish needs oxygen. Placing your container in direct sun for most of the day will heat the water in the container considerably; causing serious oxygen depletion that will result in the death of your fish. If you plan on adding fish to your water garden, be careful to only select plants that do not require full sun and try to choose fish that can handle higher water temperatures. To help maintain the oxygen levels in your container pond, consider investing in a small fountain, such as a spitting frog or bubbling spout.
A water garden is the perfect addition to any backyard, regardless of size or location. Whether you are looking for a low maintenance attraction (fountain pond), an extravagant fish feature (fish pond), a nature friendly addition (bog), or a beautification for a small space (container garden), there is a water garden to fit your needs.
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