What is a water garden?

Water gardens can be located in large fountains and containers or ponds. Such water features also often contain a waterfall effect. Though they may contain fish, the main focus of water gardens are the plants. It’s possible to enjoy your own DIY water garden if you follow these tips.

Choose the ideal location

Seek an area in the yard that is bright but cool. Most plants that flower need a minimum of five hours of direct sunlight a day. Avoid a location with full sun all day, though, as such an area will be too hot and sunny to enjoy. Excessive sun also creates algae in your pond.

Decide on desired pond dimensions

If you decide to build your own pond, for the best results it should be at least 18 inches deep and covered with plants by 60 percent. Growing a lot of water plants provides shade on the water’s surface, which prevents the water from forming invasive algae.

Install a filter

The best water gardens have a filtration system that filters out sediment so that your water remains clear. Choose a system that is large enough for the volume of water you’ll be pumping. If necessary, get two filters.

Include a good mix of plants

Water garden plants consist of bog plants, which grow along the edge of the pond and can be submerged in water; oxygenators, which add oxygen to the water and floaters, which, as their name suggests, float on the water.

Add fish

Ideal fish for water gardens include mosquito fish, which eat mosquito, larvae and goldfish. Be careful not to overload the pond with fish, as this can cause a scarcity of food and cause the water to be cloudy.

Keep it clean

Water gardens that become overgrown and filled with plant debris look messy and unkempt. On a daily basis, scoop out leaves that have landed in the pond and cut back the plants every three weeks. Adding barley straw to the pond also helps keep it clean.