Water Gardening
Water is an important element in the garden!
Whether you’re considering dipping your feet into water gardening for the first time, or have committed to a water feature being the focal point of your garden, water features make a great, calming addition to your space.
In hotter climates, water is a key feature of many gardens! Creating a water feature adds an exciting element to the garden; water reflects the surrounding colours of plants and sky, creates motion with fountains and waterfalls, and enhances the ecology of the garden—birds and insects are attracted to water, and introducing fish can add even more interest.
A water feature can range from a repurposed container to a large pond with pumps, filters, fountains, streams, and waterfalls. No matter the size, the water quality must be managed to avoid the growth of algae and the breeding of mosquitoes. Oxygenating plants, floating plants that shade the surface (like lilies and hyacinths), and semi-submerged plants on the water’s edge help create a healthy balance and keep the water clear.
Once a new pond’s nutrient cycle comes into balance, fish can be also added. We recommend using a formula of one inch of fish per square foot of water surface. Remember that fish need ponds deep enough to hide from predators and to hibernate below the ice in winter! Finally, fish will feed on insect larvae and should only be fed what they can eat in 5 minutes.
Water features with shallow areas attract birds and insects, giving a balanced ecology to the garden. Insects like the pollinating Blue Mason Bees look for mud to build nests, while birds want to clean and bathe themselves. Dragonflies are attracted to water and are a major predator of pest insects. With the right balance of predator insects, pest management happens naturally.
Finally, there is the soothing aspect of seeing water and the sounds from moving water drowning out less desirable background noises. Water features of any size can make a great, calming addition to your space!