Aquatic gardening transforms your landscape to a picturesque and relaxing oasis where you could get away from it all in your own comfort zone. Ponds and waterfalls are just two common examples of aquatic gardening, however the possibilities for this application are practically endless. Aquatic landscapes have a wide range of benefits for you and your entire family. They could be used as an escape, a place to relax and meditate, or a method to introduce your children to nature. Your yard could turn into a habitat for birds and animals, or you could even turn it into a mini zoo Aquatic landscapes also look spectacular on any level and can be created virtually or artistically.
To get started with aquatic gardening, there are a few things that you should have on hand. This will make the process go much more smoothly and efficiently. It is important to have a good quality pond liner; you will use it for many years to come. Other essentials to have on hand are a water fountain or waterfall, a filter system, plants and flowers, fish, and aquatic liner or a pond thermometer.
In most cases it is a good idea to dig a large hole to accommodate your pond, however, you do not want to dig too deep. The deeper you dig your pond the more likely it is that the roots of the plants and roots of the fish will find their way into this deeper space. If you do not add enough water to your garden pond, you will have to spend a lot of time and money maintaining it. Aquatic gardens need low maintenance, so make sure you follow these guidelines when you are starting to dig out that first hole for your pond.
Low Maintenance Aquatic landscape ponds require very little maintenance once they have been established. This is one reason why they are ideal for people who want to get into the aquatic gardening business. You will be responsible for pest control, re-potting, fertilizer and any other normal maintenance type tasks that have to be done. There is one exception to this rule however and that is container ponds. Container ponds require that you have a pump and filter system in place before you can even add the water that they require.
High Maintenance Aquatic garden ponds can also be high maintenance, but there are several ways you can go about reducing maintenance. For example, if you have a small pond you will not have to remove as much debris or plant roots to keep it clean. Smaller ponds are also easier to maintain because the pump can be installed right under the water garden and not requiring too much work under the water. Even the larger ponds usually only need to be cleaned from time to keep them clean.
Waterfall and Water Features are the best way to add visual interest to your pond’s without adding a lot of work. With waterfalls and water features, just a small pump is needed to operate them. They make beautiful backdrops and will add charm to your garden. The only drawback is that you will need to be near enough to the falls or waterfalls to be able to enjoy them. For a waterfall and water feature, this is usually not an issue as they will usually be placed in a remote area from your home.
Rock Fountains and Bubbling Rock Fountains Bubbling rocks and fountains are another maintenance free way to enhance the beauty of your ponds. If you do not want to deal with the maintenance of these features, you can simply buy the ready to operate ones that will require no upkeep once they are in place. These fountains and rocks will attract water and eventually create a bubbling effect as they cascade down the water features. You can have a decorative rock feature without having to worry about algae build up.
Aquatic Gardening Using Water Resources A little research will help you determine what plants and shrubs will thrive in your area and whether there is enough water for them. For lakes and ponds that have established water management, you should have no problem finding a wide selection of plants and shrubs that will grow well. However, with those that do not have established water management, you will need to take some proactive steps to prepare your landscape for aquatic gardening.