Water Gardens: Construction & Maintenance
How do you construct a water garden?
Some gardens are created out of necessity to direct and control the water that is present at a site, like ours here at the nursery. Others are made with a rubber liner, but this can be used only if you have a dry spot. There is a lot of apparatus out there, like filters, that are not really necessary. What we can supply are the liners, pumps, hoses, plant material and, most importantly, good advice and design on what will work at your particular site.
What is the biggest potential problem with a water garden?
Avoid having ground water and soil erosion going into the water garden. Two other potential problems are the choice of plant material in and around the pond and improper fertilization.
What features do you offer for the water gardens that you build?
We build water gardens with fountains, water falls, natural streams, bridges, different kinds of water plants, and fish like koi that come in a rainbow of colors.
Won't the fish eat all the plants?
If the fish are fed regularly, they won't eat all of the plants. But they do pose a different kind of problem, and you will need to add a product to counteract the ammonia and fecal matter that the fish contribute. This product is not a chemical but a bacteria that consumes nutrients that cause excessive algae and suppress the growth of aquatic weeds.
How much maintenance does a water garden require?
The maintenance required is minimal but ongoing like any garden. Checking the water quality is crucial, as is checking the water level and replenishing the pond if rainfall doesn't make up for that lost through evaporation. With such minimal care, your water garden should last for many years.
