Water GardeningBy, Tiffany Abbott

What is Water Gardening?

New Area of Gardening Can be used in residential, or public

areas Peaceful and relaxing place to unwind Easy and fun project to create on your

own Every design is unique

Things to think about before you begin.

Where do you want it? Which kind do you want? Will it be above or below ground? Will there be fountains, waterfalls or

lighting? Will you use pumps?

Location of your pond. Good view Good size Good amount of sun and shade Electricity

Three Types of Ponds Cement Preformed Flexible Plastic Liner

Cement Longest lasting Cool Climate requirements

– Layer of loose gravel or pebbles– 6” thick walls

Walls should be at a 20 degree angle Pour on a cool, cloudy day Check for cracks Clean

Preformed Rigid Fiberglass

– Long lasting, will discolor over the years Bonded resin

– Less expensive than Fiberglass, BUT more fragile

Semi-rigid/ABS plastic– Less expensive than Fiberglass, BUT

more fragile

Preformed Installation Select shell Measure Excavate 2”deeper & wider than shell Line with sand & level out bottom Install & fill Add around edges

Flexible Liner Plastic Can last fro 20- 50 years Never use less than 16 mil thick Can deteriorate if constant UV light

– Butyl rubber liner-twice as expensive, 30 mil thick, no deterioration, lasts 40 years

Flexible Liner Installation Pick area & size. Outline with hose and mark with paint Measure and get liner to fit, with overlap

– Width+2(depth)+1 + Length+2(depth)+1 Excavate

– Shelves (9-12” deep and wide) Level top ledges Install (protective liner) Secure with edging

Added Features Waterfalls Lights Fountains Flat stones around perimeter for more

natural look

Waterfalls

Added Features Waterfalls Lights Fountains Flat stones around perimeter for more

natural look

Lights

Added Features Waterfalls Lights Fountains Flat stones around perimeter for more

natural look

Pumps or no pumps Helps keep your garden clean and

clear Not necessary 2 used:

– Skimmer– Filter

Place 2” off bottom if submersible Need electricity, or solar power

Pond Ecology Balance between plant and animal life

makes for a clear pond Plant life includes:

– Aquatic and bog plants– Welcome and unwelcome algae

Algae Filamentous algae=good

– Becomes a moss coat on liner Single celled algae= bad

– Floats and covers pond– Fish eat it

Normal to see algae for few weeks in new ponds and in spring– Settles to ground and sides

Chemicals can cause other problems

Water Conditions Tap can be used

– Check with local water authority about chemicals

Chlorine is okay Chloramine and chloride dioxide may

cause problems for fish Chemicals can be used to help this

problem, but are not necessary

Adding Fish Ornamentals- good color adds to pond

– Koi –move peacefully certain plants are toxic

– Goldfish Natural fish-don’t use, because not

aesthetically pleasing Add when 55 F or mid May Do not overstock or stock to soon Have water tested or test yourself

Fish

Care of Fish Do not feed in first few days Feed once a day with floating pellet

food for large fish; flakes for small Do not feed mid September on

Wintering Fish Stock tank heater Best if indoors

– Small fish=aquarium– Large or Many small=small stock tank, or

garbage can in basement Circulating pump for aeration

– No need to feed much, or at all if below 55 F

Adding Plants Select them according to sun Heavy garden soil or topsoil Cover with 1” of coarse sand or gravel Oxegenating plants Tropicals added when 70 F Never cover more than 70%

Types of Plants Free Floating Submerged or Oxygenators Marginal (shallow)

– In and out of water Deep water or Bog

Free Floating Water lettuce Water hyacinth

Submerged Anachris Cabomba Hornwort

Marginal Water Liles Arrowhead Cattails & Horsetails Water Canna

Bog plants Nordic Holly Jack-in-the-Pulpit Gooseneck Loosestrife Ligularia Astilbe & Goatsbeard Arrowhead Cardinal Flower

Water liles Shallow root system Water 12” above crown A lot of sun

Care of Plants Fertilize with a water plant fertilizer

– Slow release pellets Do not fertilize until there is some

spring activity Remove old flowers and yellow leaves

Wintering Plants Stock-tank heater ID and group into category Hardy=cut foliage and sink

– In spring dig up, acclimate, and replant– Cattails=leave foliage until spring because it acts

as a snorkel to get oxygen to the roots Hardy water lilies=late Sept. early Oct

– Remove foliage and store as bare root or in soil in cold area of basement or fridge

– Must be kept damp & dark

Maintenance Clean in fall and spring

– Drain if possible– Leaves and extra organic matter– Rinse before re-filling

Netting for leaves Rigid, fiberglass liners left filled Flexible liners filled or drained Concrete liners, drain, dry, tarp

Summary New and exciting Unique designs Easy to do yourself Not much maintenance Peaceful and relaxing atmosphere

Questions?