Part 1 of 8: An Introduction to Water Gardening

There's something magical and calming about the sight and sound of water. Close your eyes for a moment. Imagine a crystal clear pond teeming with large colorful fish. Imagine the gentle gurgle of a cold mountain stream. Imagine the awesome presence of a roaring waterfall. Imagine the beauty and fragrance of flowers, kissed by butterflies. Then imagine not having to imagine at all. A beautiful water garden can provide the soothing sights and sounds of nature ... a peaceful, tranquil getaway for your senses ... right in your own yard.

Creating a water garden can be as simple as a low-cost whiskey barrel, or as elaborate as a large pond with streams, waterfalls, beautiful fish and many exotic plants. You are limited only by your imagination and budget. You can design your water garden based on how much money you want to spend and the look you want to achieve.

The first step to consider is to decide what type of water feature you want to build. Do you want to keep goldfish, or you do prefer koi? Are aquatic plants more important than fish? Do you want a meandering mountain stream in your own backyard? Do you love the soothing sound of a waterfall? Do you want to incorporate flower beds and add trees to your landscape? Each type of pond must be planned for its specific features.

A water garden typically contains both goldfish and a variety of aquatic plants. To ensure a good biological balance, the pool should have a minimum surface area of 50 square feet and depth of 18-24 inches. Pools with a surface area of 100 square feet or more should be 24 inches deep, but in some areas ponds deeper than 18 inches require safety fencing. Ponds built in colder climates need to be dug deep enough to provide 12-16 inches of water below the freeze level.

A koi pond, on the other hand, must be much larger and much deeper than a typical water garden pond. Koi are an eighth of an inch long when they hatch and have been known to grow up to 6½ feet long. Realistically, large koi average closer to 30 inches. A koi pond should be no less than 1,000 gallons in volume and at least 3 feet deep. Some ponds are as much as 8 feet deep. Plant life is limited, because koi eat some plants. Click here for more information about koi ponds.

Most aquatic plants and fish need five to six hours of full sun each day. Keeping this in mind, choose a sunny, level location for your water feature. Try to avoid locating it near trees, since the leaves will fall in and decompose. Choose a location near your home with a clear line of sight from your windows, deck, gazebo and/or patio. You might consider your front yard as a pond location if you live in an area with small rear or side yards, such as a patio home development.

If you live in a cold climate, your water garden will need to be at least 2½ feet deep in order to allow plants and fish to survive year ‘round.

Plants in and around your water garden are not only beautiful, but they serve a purpose. They provide shade, which cuts down on algae growth, and they oxygenate the water for proper ecological balance. Water-loving plants such as cattail, bamboo, and water iris should be planted in containers to prevent overcrowding. Water lilies are very popular for their beautiful, fragrant blossoms, and they are quite hardy. Other popular plants you may want to consider are lotus, water hyacinth, and Japanese iris. You can landscape with your favorite flowers around the perimeter of your water garden. Japanese maple and weeping willow trees also add to the beauty of your pond landscape.

Water gardening can be a great hobby and a source of pleasure for young and old alike. It can add beauty and value to your property and give you a relaxing place to let your cares drift away.

Want more info on Koi? Click Here