WATER GARDENS AND PONDS

By U.C. MASTER GARDENER BOB SHERWOOD

When someone says water garden, many things come to mind: tub gardens, ponds, fountains, pools, waterfalls, etc. But a pond is not just a hole in the ground ringed with rocks or a container full of water.

There is something for everyone in a water garden. It is human nature for people to be attracted to water. Ponds and bogs have been built for over 5,000 years. You may enjoy the tranquility and stress relief provided by the calming sound of moving water. Watching and hearing the birds, animals, and insects that visit your yard is priceless. Watching fish dart about or growing various water plants makes a pond a hobby worth enjoying. These are just a few reasons to have a water feature in your yard!

There are many aspects to water gardening. If you intend to have a water feature, first you should consider what style you like and what will best fit into your garden. From a raging waterfall to a small bog garden the choice is yours. Even if you don’t have a lot of time, money or space, you can still have a water garden. A tub, oak barrel, or small accent pool can

bring interest to a patio or a corner of your yard.

Remember, location is very important. Is there enough sun to grow plants? Most need a minimum of four to six hours of sun to grow and bloom. If you build under a tree, there may be a problem with leaves falling into the pond. Leaves create work, clogging filters and pumps or even killing fish.

There are many types of materials used to construct ponds and water gardens. Each building material has pros and cons, for instance, difficulty of installation, how long it will last, or how it looks. Depending on the style and look you are after, you may choose to use concrete, flexible rubber liners, preformed plastic, wood, rock, blocks, or other materials. To make a pond “come together”, you must plan ahead. If you use a pump and filter you must have electricity available, and the equipment needs to be the right size to support fish or keep the pond clean. Will there be lighting? Will you have a place to sit and enjoy your creation?

Once you have a pond you will be amazed at the number of plant options available. A pond adds a new kind of diverse and colorful aspect to the landscape. Water plants come in all shapes and sizes, from water lilies to margin and bog plants such as iris, horsetails, and water clover.

Don’t forget the plants that float, such as water fern, water hyacinth, etc. Adding fish such as koi or goldfish bring the pond to life. No matter what size or style, you are creating a habitat for many other creatures. After a while you will see birds, frogs, water insects and mammals visiting your pond.