Plant Gardens 101

This article dispels the misconception that water features breed mosquitoes.

When I give presentations on water features, many people ask, “What about mosquitos?”

Given what they can carry, the concern is real and legitimate. The truth, however, is that there need be no fear of breeding mosquitos whatsoever, for any kind of water feature. Here’s why.

There are both biological and mechanical means for ensuring that not one mosquito breeds in your water feature. If the water is moving, as in a stream, a wall fountain, a tub garden with a fountain or a small pond with a waterfall, the mosquitos will not lay their eggs there. It’s a high risk situation for the larvae and newly hatched so they just don’t do it. (more…)

Gardening is undergoing rapid changes and new forms are being introduced with amazing frequency. Today, one of the newest trends is water gardening. This type of gardening is done specifically in sources of water such as fountains, ponds and waterfalls. They can be enhanced with rocks and with fish and lighting. In fact, you can do your water gardening in a plastic tub too. There are really several options.

The area you select for your water garden is of first importance. Both your plants and the fish in the garden will want sunlight. It is best to keep your garden away from the trees and shrubs. This is ideal because it will keep the leafy debris from entering into your garden.

You will have to preplan the size too. Your decision about size will depend on what kind of budget you have for your garden. A large garden with lighting, fishes, rock arrangements and all will be too expensive. You will also need to see what the size of your overall property is, and how much time per day you can spend tending your water garden. Time investment is an important aspect to consider.

You can use a lot of aquatic plants for your garden, but make sure you don’t clutter your garden more than its halfway water level. You can use submerged or free floating plants; that depends on your preference. Some plants will spread good fragrance, some will provide a lot of oxygen to the surroundings and keep the ecosystem much healthier, and some will just spread their magical beauty. Fish will always make a great esthetic addition too, and they help by biodegrading the water garden by controlling the larva, insects and messy debris.

Algae management is an important aspect of water gardening. Too many nutrients into the garden (especially introduced through overfeeding the fish or over-fertilizing the plants) can cause bad algal growths. With optimum levels, you will have a way better alga-free garden.

Water gardens need perennial management throughout the year. You will have to also strike an optimum balance between the life in the garden and the decorative aspects of it. After some time, the garden will start taking care of itself, and you will only need to lightly look after its management.

Algal management can be done by controlling the nutrients that are introduced into the water garden and by reducing the feeding and fertilizing. Do not put in more plants than you can afford and invest in a good filter system. You will also need to replace water periodically, depending on the size of the garden. Some copper compounds, when used appropriately can control algae without harming the plants and the fish.

In fact, water gardening does not take any more time than regular gardening does, but the maintenance required is much more intensive. On the other hand, it is seen that people who are poor at regular gardening do very well at water gardening. Water gardening is certainly an excellent option for making your homestead look much more beautiful.

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About Ryan Ginster
Learn how to design your ideal garden at: Gardening Articles

Before going ahead with any plans on your water garden be sure to double check on all the safety measures. We all know the dangers that lurk where ponds and children are concerned but if all the standards of safety are adhered to then there should be no problem. Whatever precautions have been taken just remember that young children should not be left unattended or unsupervised around water at any time.

Ponds make a beautiful water garden feature just like the flowing fountain. Water gardens are a pleasurable experience to become involved with and also beautiful as eye candy to a lot of nature`s creatures. If tastefully designed – these garden ornamentations can create an atmosphere where a deep sense of tranquillity fills the air just by sound alone. Depending on the individuals own personal preference you can have water features that are specially designed to give you a tropical world or an imitation of a mini Niagara Falls display. The options are endless as to what can go into your garden. Before putting into force any plans make sure to measure the space to be used – a cluttered water garden can spoil the beauty of it all. (more…)

Want to be the envy of all the neighbours in the avenue then a water feature has to be placed into the garden. What ever fancy garden ornamentation that is to be – is entirely up to your own choosing. Because of the many designs and fixtures you may come up against problems in trying to decide what water garden feature to have.

The pond is a water feature found in most gardens today in all shapes and sizes and enhanced to the full with added extras to set the scene. Water lilies – bull rushes and reeds are just a few to mention. But it is the under water life that makes the pond more attractive (fish) Remember when adding a water feature to the garden – take extra precautions in the safety measures where children are concerned. (more…)

The sound of water and the effect it can have on people is an experience not to be missed. Pump up the volume with the sound of splashing water to inject a sense of relaxation in the air from your water garden feature.For instance listen to the sound of running bath water and to the constant dripping of a tap -is infuriating to say the least. However, if we change the word dripping to trickling and replace the word running with flowing then that is another kettle of fish (excuse the pun if you have a pond.

If a water garden feature is to prove its worth to the eye and ears then choose your garden ornamentation with these two factors in mind – pretty to look at and nice to listen to Fountains and waterfalls are most favourable among gardeners. Before engaging in the structure of water garden features as such then you need to remember – these type of features actually oxygenate and freshen the water with the constant ongoing movements. If you have fish in the pool of your fountain/waterfall then they will love the lively waters – but water plants like lilies and lotus may suffer because of this. Plants as such prefer stillness and may well be hampered in flourishing in action packed waters. (more…)