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Where to get help? Many garden centres sell aquatic gardening equipment and supplies. For professional advice, check out the experts. Contact Lynn Nickerson at Maritime Water Gardens, in Pubnico, N.S. 902 762 2786 (the largest aquatic centre in Atlantic Canada) or visit Oasis Water Gardens and Supply at: www.oasisponds.com. Oasis staff can be contacted by calling Larry in Tusket, 902-648-3159; Robin, Terry and Joan in Halifax, 1-866-588-7663. Cosby's Garden Center, Liverpool, N.S. is also an excellent source of information on ponds, aquatic gardening and water fountains. Contact Ivan Higgins at 902 354 2133. Water Gardening magazine. Subscription and information at: www.watergardening.com Books: AHS Complete Guide to Water Gardening by Peter Robinson Waterscaping by J. Glattstein The Water
Garden by Anthony Paul, Yvonne Rees
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There
is something magical about water gardens. They draw birds and wildlife.
Fish and frogs love them. Native and exotic flowers thrive in them. Easy
to build and simple to maintain, these pond-like additions add interest
and intrigue to gardening ventures. Some sport waterfalls, fountains and
elaborate rockwork. Others have statues or lighting. Many have fish.
Each water garden is unique and alluring. The Basics ~
First, decide on location. Keep in mind that a pond should be fairly close to your home so you can monitor and enjoy it. Although some shade is desirable, it is best not to build directly under large trees as the debris from falling leaves and broken branches can pose a problem. Ideally, your pond should receive about 6-8 hours of direct sun a day. You also need easy access to electricity and water.
Next,
think about size. This will be determined by the amount of time and
money you want to spend. You will need a liner, pump and filter system.
Better to think "moderate," size-wise. You can always expand.
Most water gardens run 300-500 gallons or less. Larger ponds run upwards
of several thousand gallons, but they are pricey to build and to
maintain. Now
think depth. What will eventually inhabit your pond? If you plan to have
fish, you’ll need an area that is three to four feet deep so they can
stay cool in the summer and not freeze in the winter. Plants need much
shallower areas. Two feet is plenty, with ledges or ridges built up so
that pots of flowers can sit on them 6" to 12" deep. Finally,
think about shape. Avoid square corners. Make sure that your ground is
level, although you will want to make a small depression for overflow --
away from your home. Time for the shovel ~
Now
you are ready to dig. It is not a bad idea to figure out where all that
soil is going to go before you end up with an ugly mound that needs to
be relocated! Once the pond is dug, |
remove roots, sticks and sharp rocks. Then build the "shelves" or ridges that the plant pots will rest on. (You can dig terraces as you make the pond, or you can use cement blocks to build up ridges after you have dug everything out.) Many people cover the bottom of the pond and ridges with sand or some form of padding such as rags, old blankets or rugs before laying the liner. After the liner is laid, slowly fill the pond, folding and fitting the liner as the pond fills with water. Secure the edges with rocks, beach stone, granite or piece of sod above the water line to hide the liner. Although some people have successfully built water gardens without the aid of a pump or filter, it is tricky business to get a well-balanced pond where the water stays clear and algae doesn’t take over. Plants & Fish ~
Plants
are your water garden’s "raison d’être." With a huge
selection to choose from, you will have not only colour and beauty, but
you will provide shade for fish if you chose to have them. Plants also
help prevent algae growth. There
are three main kinds of water garden plants. Lilies, marginals and
floaters. Submerged
plants called "floaters" help keep the water clear, oxygenate
the water and they reduce carbon dioxide. They also provide a place for
fish to spawn. The most popular types of floaters are Water Lettuce, and
Hyacinth and one called the Sensitive plant. Marginal
plants grow in the boggy and shallow edges around a pond. There is a
huge variety, including Cattails and Rushes, water Forget-Me-Nots,
Pennywort, Water Mint, Iris, Reeds and Clover Water
lilies come in a myriad of shapes and colours and can take your breath
away with their beauty. As for fish, common Comet and Fantail Goldfish are popular, as are multicolored Shubunkins. Rule of thumb: you need 2-3 square feet of surface for every fish. There is also an interesting breed of Japanese fish called Koi. Some species grow quite large (up to 15 inches), and they can play havoc with your plants, so it’s worth studying the pros and cons before you leap into the brink with them. For information on where to find further help in establishing a pond and water garden, refer to the left sidebar for a list of local retailers, professionals and 'self-help' books. Good luck & good gardening! |
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