Water Gardens
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Published: August 18, 2006
Water gardens have become a trend in home gardening; the combination of sight and sound makes water gardens, no matter what size, a pleasing addition to any landscape. A water garden can include fountains and waterfalls, koi, flora, rock work and lighting to create an overall tranquil effect.
Choosing
You don't need a lot of space to create a beautiful water garden; a plastic tub, concrete dish or any vessel that holds water can be used for this purpose. Choosing the right spot is important. Most aquatic plants and fish need lots of sunlight. As a general rule, as with any type of garden, a water garden needs about 6-8 hours of direct sun per day. Find a spot away from trees and tall shrubs to avoid debris accumulation. Also consider the size of your property; a small container is fine on a patio or deck, while a larger tub fits well in a larger landscape.
Choosing Plants
Aquatic plants shouldn't cover more than 50-60 percent of the water garden's surface. There are tons of plants to choose from, so you're sure to find some to fit your needs. Consider the depth of the water garden and the amount of sunlight when choosing plants. Use both floating and submerged plants to ensure variety. Fish are also a good addition to a water garden because they help control mosquitoes and other insects. Don't forget to bring fish inside during the winter months.
Aquatic plants can be divided into three categories: emergent, submerged and floaters. Emergent plants, also called marginals, should be planted along the edges of the water garden. They include cattails, iris, pickerelweed, water lilies and bog plants. Bog plants also work great for areas with minimal sunlight. Submerged plants are for the most part below the water's surface. They are sometimes called oxygenators because they help combat algae. Their roots don't serve a purpose other than for anchorage; they aren't needed for water or nutrients. Floater plants are not rooted; they float above or below the surface of the water garden. They are the ground covers, so to speak, of the aquatic world. Some varieties of floaters are duckweed, water hyacinth and water lettuce.
Planting the
Like in other forms of gardening, be aware of soil conditions, the type of container and maintenance after planting. Water depth, temperature and winter storage also become considerations. Every water garden needs oxygen for good health, so purchasing an aerator from a gardening store is a good idea.
Soil: Aquatic plants do best in heavier, clay-like soils. Commercial potting mixes are too lightweight and don't hold nutrients long enough.
Containers: The rule for choosing a container is that a larg container will produce larger plants and a small container will produce smaller plants.
How To:
- Fill smaller pots about 2/3 inch with soil.
- Once they're potted, fill about ½ inch with pea gravel. This helps prevent soil particles from clouding the water.
- Water the individual plants, then lower them into the pond.
Winter Storage
These requirements must be met in order for plants to survive during winter.
1. The plants must go dormant, so keep them in a cool location (no more then 50 degrees).
2. Don't allow them to dry out or freeze.
3. After the first frost, remove the plants from the water garden, keeping them in their individual pots.
4. Trim any dead leaves or stems.
5. Place the pots in plastic bags to retain moisture, and store in a cool basement.
The two most popular types of fish are goldfish and koi. There are over 120 varieties of goldfish in a wide range of colors. Yellowish-colored ones are called Canaries, white ones are known as Pearls and spotted goldfish are called Orioles. Other popular varieties are Shinbunkins, Fantails and Comets. Koi, a family member of goldfish, are a type of carp. They are popular because of their large size and bright colors. They can be black, white, yellow, blue or red.
Caring for the fish in a water garden is important. The lower the temperature of the water garden, the less active the fish. During hot days, fish should be fed three times per day, and less often on cooler days. Fish food comes in pellet or stick form. It's also important to check the pH of the water garden frequently. Finally, water movement and oxygen is important for fish health.
