Plant Gardens 101

Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement to create a harmonious feel, can help make your garden a much more serene place to relax. Incorporating Feng Shui into your garden is very easy with Bamboo Feng Shui Fountains.

Water is an incredibly important element in any garden – it represents wealth and heavenly blessings, and using it ensures that you always have the positive ‘chi’, or energy, associated with it. Fountains are the most convenient and effective way to use the element of water in your garden, because they make certain that it is always clear and flowing – never stagnant.

Bamboo fountains not only bring the peace and harmony of Feng Shui into your outdoor space, they’re also beautiful and very easy to set up. They can simply be placed on the side of any bowl with the pump placed in the water, and they’re ready to use! Bamboo water spouts can be used with any decorative bowls wide enough to accommodate the base of the fountain. You can also use them in your garden pond. They’re small enough to be moved inside when winter arrives, so you can continue enjoying the benefits of flowing water through the cold season. (more…)

“do plants grow better in water or soil” – A common question popping up among gardeners lately has been, “do plants grow better in water or soil?” In this article, the benefits of water gardening will be detailed to help you make the decision about whether or not to grow and maintain your flowers and plants using this method.

There are a number of advantages that make water gardens better than their soil counterparts. The first, and perhaps most obvious of these, is that no soil is actually required to grow your plants! When you consider the inconvenience of acquiring and transporting large quantities of soil, you will find yourself appreciating this aspect of a water garden very quickly.

Two very important factors should also be considered: firstly, a water garden’s lack of soil means that diseases normally contained within the soil itself are theoretically eliminated; secondly, and on a larger scale, there will be no weeds and less insects present to inhibit the growth of your plants. These two things will lead to better results and, in turn, a better overall garden. (more…)

If you have a pond, you will need to know how to keep the water clean. Small fountains have recirculating pumps which makes keeping the water clean much easier. Regardless of pond or fountain, it is useful to have a basic understanding of how to keep the water clean and balanced.

The term “biological balance” simply means establishing a healthy ecological balance between plants, fish, and other aquatic life in the pond. Various factors affect ponds, including the size and depth, the amount of sunlight or shade, water temperature, water movement, pollutants in the water, and the kind and number of plants and fish. Depending on how these factors affect your pond, it may take anywhere from several weeks to several months to achieve this balance. Once the pond water is balanced, it will remain relatively clear provided you don’t add fish, plants, or other pond life. Of course, if you do add any of these, you will need to take other measures to keep the water clear. Usually, you can do this just as you would with a swimming pool, by incorporating a mechanical or biological filter, using chemicals periodically, and routine cleaning.  (more…)

by Kristina L

Either still or moving, water creates a romantic mystique in almost any garden. Complete with fountain or waterfall, a garden pool heightens the allure of any garden setting, adding shimmering reflections and flashes of light, glistening movements and sounds of nature. Whether moving or still, water always draws the eye, so that it becomes a focal point in the garden. While contemplating the reflections of blooming water lilies or listening to the splash of a nearby fountain, you’ll derive hours of pleasure from a water garden. In a backyard or garden of any size, well-designed water features can turn an ordinary yard or garden into an attractive place to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

The water element may take many styles and forms, from a small, simple garden fountain with a basin to a large artificial pond fed by a recirculating stream and waterfall. The pond may be bordered with a sweeping brick patio or naturalistically edged with bog plants. Whether dining near a patio pool or strolling along the border of a fish-stocked pond, you will appreciate the moods that water creates. When you view a quiet pool on a warm summer’s day, the stillness elicits a feeling of tranquility. The reflections of flowers, leaves, birds, and sky harmonize with the surrounding landscape. Gentle ripples break the water’s surface as a breeze plays over the pool, and the glint of gold catches your eye as fish dart beneath the lily pads. (more…)