Water Gardens

A water garden is a type of pond that contains aquatic plant life.  They may also contain fish but the focus is mainly on the plants.  There are several things to consider when building a water garden.

Climate

The climate in your area will determine the depth of your pond and the types of plants you should use.  Make sure to find out the extreme temperature ranges in your region.

• Cold Weather
• When water temperature goes below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, move your plants to the deepest part of your pond.  In areas that go below freezing, you’ll need to make sure that your pond is deep enough so that your plants will not freeze.  Depths greater than 18 inches should ensure that your plants do not freeze.  During this time, any fish that you have in the pond will go into hibernation until the temperature again rises above 45.
• Hot Weather
• If your region experiences exceptionally hot temperatures over 95 degrees Fahrenheit, then you’ll need to take precautions to protect your aquatic life.  Provide areas of shade with plant cover for your fish to take shelter from the heat.   Algae growth can be rapid in areas of high heat.  Do everything you can to prevent algae from taking over your water garden.

Water Garden Placement

There are three practical qualities to consider when selecting a prime site for a water garden:

• Pick a Raised Site
• The site you choose should be raised above the level of the surround terrain.  This will keep water from running into your water garden and potentially poisoning your plants.  Fertilizers (most of which contain Nitrates) can be very detrimental to a pond ecosystem by causing an explosive algae growth.  Run off from most lawns contains some type of fertilizer or weed killer.
• Make sure that the run off from your water garden has an outlet to drain away from any buildings or areas that you don’t want the water to go.
• Provide both Shade and Sunlight
• The site you select should combine areas of both shade and sunlight.  This will help to regulate the temperature of your water garden and ensure that your aquatic life is comfortable in all seasons.  If you are unable to provide shade from trees or other overhanging structures, you can create shade by using water lilies and perimeter plants.
• Electricity
• The various pumps, filters, and lights that keep your water garden healthy and enjoyable require electricity to run.  Make sure to plan the building of your pond to be close to an electrical outlet.

Type of Aquatic Life

The quantity of plant and animal species that are available for your water garden is vast.  Make sure to take into consideration the region where you live when purchasing pond life.  All aquatic life is very sensitive to temperature change.  If you are in an area with a large seasonal change, select breeds that are hardy and can withstand wide temperature ranges.  If you live in a more stable climate, you can afford to be a little less concerned with seasonal changes and can purchase aquatic life that are more delicate.

 

Category: Pond Building