The Wonders of Water Gardens
by
Laura Horwitz, All About Lawns Columnist
July 7, 2008
Water gardens can enhance your front or backyard and provide a pleasant place to spend a tranquil afternoon. Many people enjoy the acoustics of water splashing against stone or the trickling of a fountain. And they're surprisingly easy to install and maintain.
Location, Location, Location
Where you should you put your water garden? Pick a spot that you can see easily from your house so you can take full advantage of its beauty. Remember, it may attract wildlife like birds and butterflies. You also want to make sure it’s within easy reach of a garden hose, electrical supply for the pump, and any other extras you may want to add -- like lights.
Also consider its location in relation to the rest of your landscape -- do you have young children playing in your backyard? Do you want it near a deck? Don’t put it too close to any trees or you could spend a lot of time cleaning falling leaves and other debris from the water.
How Big Should It Be?
A koi pond needs to be fairly deep, no less than 1000 gallons in volume. A pond for goldfish or water lilies can be much smaller. If you live in a cold-weather climate, you'll need more water depth to keep the pond from freezing. And remember that the smaller the water garden, the less space you have for fish and plants.
Also consider its overall affect on your landscape -- will this now be the central feature in your garden, or simply an addition to enhance the already existing flowers and trees?
Installation Options
You can choose a hard shell prefabricated liner or a flexible liner. Prices vary depending on the size and shape you choose. But it’s worth spending a bit extra to get good quality or you'll quickly find that discount swallowed up in maintenance costs and repairs.
Sources:
Water Gardens
How to Build a Water Garden or Fish Pond
About the Author
Laura Horwitz has worked as a freelance writer and researcher for five years in both London and the US. She had a monthly landscaping and tips column for the Sussex County magazine RH Review, and her articles have appeared in Film Focus, 6 Degrees Film, and BizBash magazine.
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