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| Selecting the right plants is necessary for a healthy and pleasing pond. More... |
Water Gardens |
Unlike most other kinds of gardens a water garden is a pemanent feature of the garden so take the time to think about what kind of water garden you want, particularly the kinds of plants you would like, but also the impact it will have on the rest of the garden and how much maintainance it might require.
With water restrictions in force you also need to determine how water will be supplied to the garden, or if you want to create one that can cope with dry periods.
Water gardens can be large-scale affairs teeming with plant and animal life, or they may be a decorative urn with a water lily or a couple of fish.
There are a range of options from pre-fabricated ponds to simple rubber liners, or concrete ponds.
A pond is usually best situated in a sunny postion so that its plants can thrive and the water won't get too cold, but approximately 1/3 of the pond can be in shade if the remainder is well lit. Shade within the pond is best provided by surface vegetation in the pond. Overhanging trees should be avoided because of excess shade, the potential for roots interfering with the pond lining and because of falling leaves which will pollute the water.
Whatever kind of pond you create the water you fill it with is most important, and needs to be free of chemicals or pollutants. Tap water will have been treated, and ground run off from lawns or garden beds may carry fertilizer residue.
When you are initially creating your pond water quality is less of a problem, you can fill the pond and then let is sit for a few days so that chemicals like chlorine can evaporte. Once pond life is established however polluted water can throw out the balance and kill animal and plant life.
Any pond that looks to support wildlife should have shallow and deeper areas. Depth is required for animals to escape from cold, heat and drought. The greater the surface area the deeper it needs to be to maintain an even temperature year round. Ledges, rocks or inclines are required for frogs to be able to enter and exit the pond. |
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