The Natural Element of Water in The Garden

Garden ponds have been around for nearly 5000 years. It seems evident that the ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks placed value on water gardens which included most of the same elements that landscape designers use today. Goldfish have been bred for centuries from the wild carp of southern China. Koi, the  national fish of Japan, need 3-4 feet of deep water. Pond plants are categorized by their functions in the pond ecosystem. Marginals, live in the boglike area around the outer perimeter; floaters have their roots in the water and submerged plants are completely underwater providing oxygen, a byproduct of photosynthesis. While many people prefer larger ponds, many homeowners should consider garden fountains or water features, which are much easier to maintain and can be moved, if necessary.

When planning a pond, make rough drawings and then use site dimensions to transfer the drawing to graph paper. This stage may include two or more phases of construction to spread work and costs over a few years of development.

Construction of pond projects smaller than 800 gallons should be possible for the average homeowner. Anything larger can necessitate hiring a contractor. Garden pond kits come with all the needed parts so nothing is inadvertently left out. These kits can range from about 4’x 6’ to 20’ x 25’ and cost between $1000 to $3000. But kits can be designed to the homeowner’s specification when more elaborate landscaping is desired.

The following are the basic construction materials involved in the pond’s construction:

1. Pond liners can be made of fiberglass, butyl, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM),vinyl or other flexible waterproof material used to retain water.
2. Skimmers catch debris before it can be pumped back into the falls or other water features.
3. A couple of choices exist in the type of filter used to clear impurities from the system.
4. Pumps provide aeration to keep the water from stagnating and supply oxygen which both the plants and fish will need. There are both submersible and surface pumps in use.
5. Thermometers are used because it is important to keep an eye on the cold weather which could harm plants and fish and to use heaters in climates with especially cool nights.
6. Lighting can add mystery, drama and aesthetic appeal while extending the useful hours of the garden.

Seasonal maintenance may vary according to local climate. Maintaining water level could be an ongoing task in drier climates. In general, monthly pH checks in summer are needed. PH levels need to stay between 7.0 and 8.0. Draining ponds for winter may be needed to keep the freezing water from damaging structures. Trimming plants and cleaning are normal maintenance tasks in fall and spring. Netting, used to keep debris out of the pond needs to be cleaned periodically. Chloramines found in public water supplies, added to kill harmful organisms, must be left out or removed with other chemicals for plants and fish to flourish. Herbicides may be needed to control unwanted plants.

Small garden or backyard ponds can bring the relaxing appearance and sound of nature ’s most basic element--water--into the lifestyle of even the most arid location. These manmade constructions add a serenity missing from the local landscape.