Water Gardening
Summer Garden Tips
Petunias, in bright pink, red, and purple, will add beauty and color to sunny borders all through the summer.
Earwigs are active and hungry. Control them with the new Sluggo Plus, which includes the natural, bacteria-based spinosad added to the original iron phosphate formula.
When fuchsia blooms fade, remove the entire flower stem to prevent seed pod development, which encourages continued blooming.
Feed rhododendrons, azaleas, and camellias with an acid plant food to promote lush growth. Pinch or prune to encourage full, dense growth.
Adding a Peaceful Pond to Your Landscape
The sight and sound of water adds an appealing element to a garden. Water gardens can include fountains, waterfalls, small ponds, and elaborate combinations of rockwork and lighting. Any pool of water can become home to plants and possibly fish, attracting water creatures, birds, and butterflies.
- A container on a deck may suffice for a small setup.
- A larger pond should include marshy or shallow water areas, as well as deeper zones.
Pond Design and Ecology
In shallow areas, frogs, newts, beetles, and other small creatures thrive alongside marsh plants like iris, cannas, arrowhead plant, and rushes. Ideally, marshy areas should comprise about one-third of the pond’s total area.
The deeper waters (at least 2 feet deep) are ideal for fish, water lilies, and other aquatic plants. Fish act as natural scavengers, cleaning debris and controlling mosquito larvae and other insects.
Small ponds lose water only through evaporation. A waterfall or fountain can be created using a pump to recirculate water.
Pond Placement and Construction
- Locate the pond where it receives 5–6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Most aquatic plants and fish need ample sun.
- Avoid placing it near trees to prevent leaves and seeds from fouling the water.
- The pond should have a surface area of at least 20 square feet (e.g., 4 feet by 5 feet) to support a balanced ecosystem. Larger ponds become more natural over time.
- Use excavated soil to landscape around the pond or construct a waterfall. A natural slope works well for cascading water features.
- Install an overflow pipe to handle heavy rainfall.
- Avoid low, wet spots where a high water table in winter could lift and damage the liner.
Water Plants and Maintenance
Water gardens offer diverse planting options, from water lilies and irises to floating plants and bog plants for pond edges.
- Water Lilies: Two types exist—tropical and hardy. Hardy water lilies thrive in our climate and survive winters in pots at the pond’s bottom.
- Flowers bloom all summer, with each lasting 3–4 days.
- Large, round leaves and vibrant flowers (red, white, yellow, pink) float on the surface, opening in the morning and closing in the afternoon.
- Require 5–6 hours of direct sunlight and 6–18 inches of still water over the root ball.
- Plant roots in heavy garden soil without compost.
A garden pond grows more beautiful over time and often becomes a favorite garden spot. Whether you add a decorative fountain near your home’s entrance or create a backyard habitat with a pond and waterfall, a water garden enhances your landscape daily.