| Water Gardens | | | | keep the pond clean by eating insects. |
| The placement of your water garden is your most | | | | Algae is one of the primary problems encountered by |
| important decision. You'll want to choose a spot that | | | | water gardeners, and it's often brought about by |
| gets as much sunlight as possible, generally away | | | | over fertilizing water plants or feeding fish too much |
| from trees or bushes that shed their leaves, because | | | | or too often. For many years, people in England have |
| most plants and fish require a fair amount of sunlight | | | | used barley straw to help reduce the amount of |
| to thrive, and deciduous trees and shrubs can make | | | | string and filament type algae, but it may not work in |
| keeping your water element a chore in the fall. | | | | every situation. If you experience algae |
| You're only limited by your budget, the size of your | | | | problems--and you probably will--pay close attention |
| space, and your imagination, but always bear in mind | | | | to the feeding regime of both your fish and your |
| that your water garden will require a certain amount | | | | water plants. |
| of maintenance, which you'll have to do if you want | | | | To keep your water oxygenated and fresh, you'll |
| your garden to continue to look great. If you | | | | need a pond pump and filter, which can also help |
| incorporate fish into your garden scheme, they'll also | | | | reduce insect and algae problems. Water plants also |
| need to be fed as part of your routine maintenance | | | | remove nutrients from the water that could create |
| program. | | | | pollution problems. Some good plants include water |
| If you use aquatic plants in your water garden, only | | | | hyacinths, water violets, and water crowfoot, if you |
| cover about half the surface of the water. It will | | | | bear in mind that they tend to reproduce vigorously |
| allow you to see your ornamental fish underneath. | | | | and can quickly take over a pond. |
| You may also want to plant flowers around the edge | | | | Like all gardens, water gardens require a certain |
| of your pond, and there are some plants that will | | | | amount of care, but the results can give you years |
| actually add oxygen to the water, which is important, | | | | of pleasure. |
| especially if you have fish in your pond. Fish can help | | | | Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. |