Esthetically Pleasing Water Gardens And Pools
Lisa Scott
Water gardens or garden pools have become a popular part of
landscape architecture in the United States. Water gardens are
visually soothing and seem to connect people to the natural
aquatic world. The esthetic value of water gardens is enhanced
by the almost endless variety of design and planting options
that make each one a unique and personal creation.
The location of the water garden is critical to its ecology and
maintenance, as well as to your enjoyment of it. Sunlight is
needed for plant photosynthesis. Plants are important to the
water garden’s ecology because they produce oxygen, remove and
recycle nutrients, and provide shade and hiding places for fish
and other inhabitants. A water garden should be situated to
receive at least 6 hours of sunlight each day.
However, direct sun at mid-day during the warmest months can
cause shallow pools to overheat. Locating the water garden so
that it can be viewed from the house will increase your
enjoyment and allow you to supervise it. Be sure to control
access to the water garden to ensure the safety of children. A
good view of the water garden will also help you spot unwanted
visitors such as predators.
Water gardens should not be located over utility services.
Check with utility companies for the location of underground
lines. Water gardens should not be located directly under trees
because roots hamper excavation and may cause structural damage
later. Also leaves foul the water and over-hanging branches may
exude toxic substances into the water garden.
The depth of a water garden depends on design, local climate,
and over-wintering strategies. Many year-round outdoor water
gardens have a section at least 3 or 4 feet deep that does not
freeze in the winter and gives fish a cool retreat during hot
weather. Large koi carp, in particular, tend to lose color and
become stressed if they do not have a cool place to stay during
hot weather.
Construction of a water garden can be simple or complex. Water
gardens built of fiberglass or concrete take considerable
construction skill. Earthen and plastic liner pools require less
construction skill or experience.
Many commercial firms selling water garden equipment offer
consulting services on design, construction and maintenance.
Use available expertise and your own creativity to design a
water garden reflecting your imagination and taste.
Water gardens can be relatively expensive to build and
maintain. Cost of construction varies with size and the
materials used, but can range from a few hundred dollars to
many thousands of dollars. Construction plans should be
reviewed by local governmental agencies to ensure that the
proposed pool complies with all building codes.
Water gardens may be irregular or geometric in shape.
Irregularly shaped water gardens have a natural look, while the
geometric shapes appear more formal. Before you start
construction, try laying out possible water garden designs
using a garden hose or rope.
Whether your water garden is a plastic tub or an aesthetic
wonder, good water quality is essential. Poor quality water
makes the water garden less attractive and can harm fish and
plants. Once the basics of water quality are understood,
maintenance will require a minimum of time.
The first consideration is a supply of good quality water to
fill the pool. The most common sources are city water and well
water. Surface water from a creek or pond is not recommended as
it may contain contaminants, diseases and wild fish, any of
which may harm the water garden’s ecosystem. If city water is
used it must be dechlorinated before adding fish and plants.
One common mistake is stocking too many fish. A water garden is
suitable for fish only as long as it can supply adequate oxygen
and decompose the wastes produced. The number of fish the water
garden can support depends on factors such as the size of the
water garden, size of the fish, temperature, amount of sunlight
the water garden receives, whether or not aeration is provided,
and how well the natural or artificial filtration system removes
wastes.
A water garden is a wonderful way to enjoy the natural beauty
of aquatic plants and animals and gain a better understanding
of the complexities of aquatic ecosystems. Designing the water
garden and its surroundings is an outlet for creative
expression and enables urban dwellers to add a serene, natural
environment to their yards.
About The Author: Esthetically pleasing water gardens and pools
for your home garden.
http://www.watergarden.agwayhomegarden.com
See Also:
Index of Swimming Pools and Outdoor Ponds
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