Water Garden - A great addition to any backyard
In recent years, it has become popular for a water garden or backyard pond to be part of backyards, patio areas and landscapes. My in-laws’ neighbors put in a water garden, complete with goldfish, flowers, plants, and a waterfall. My kids enjoy walking over and seeing the fish; we enjoy just looking at the beautiful landscaping, plants and flowers.
A water garden is man-made and often consists of aquatic plants, fish, and landscaping features surrounding it. My husband and I have considered adding one to our landscape someday, but often wonder where we should begin. After doing some research, I found these helpful hints that may be helpful to you, too, if you are considering installing a one in your backyard.
First, you should consider what type of pond or water garden you want to build. Consider the aquatic plants and type of fish you want to included. Popular fish choices are goldfish and koi. Also consider the size of your pond. It may be smart to think big rather than small, because often times people who have installed a water garden wish they had gone bigger. The bigger it is, the more plants and fish it can hold.
If you would like to have koi fish in your water garden, plant life will be limited because koi eat some plants. A koi pond should also be bigger because koi can get quite large. A koi pond should be at least three feet deep, but four to five feet is better. It should be able to hold at least 1,000 gallons. A water garden contains goldfish and a variety of aquatic plants. This type of pond should be at least two feet deep.
The next step is to select a location for your pond. Most ponds are installed close to the house so that they can be enjoyed more often. Select an area where you can see the pond and its contents year round. You may want to position your pond where there a few trees. This prevents leaves and debris from falling into the pond. Face your pond so that it will receive at least four to six hours of direct sun for the plants. Shade is great for ponds that have only fish in them. It may be a good choice to install a pump to keep the fish and plants healthier. A pump is required if you plan to use a filters, waterfalls or fountains.
Once you have chosen a location for your water garden, determine what size it will be. A great way to do this is to use rope to lay out a size and shape for your pond. Once you have chosen a location, determined the size, determined what type of aquatic life will be in it, and what equipment and accessories you need you are ready to begin. If you are attempting to install the water garden yourself, be sure that you know what you are doing. You may want to have a professional come in and do it for you.
Before making any final decisions about a water garden or pond, gather as much information as you can and determine how much it will cost. When it is completed, relax and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere that a water garden can provide to your home.