Perhaps you’ve been wanting to do something different with your backyard this year.
Rather than just doing the standard garden, you would like to do something more unique. After giving it some thought, you have decided that water gardening might be a unique concept.
What is Water Gardening Anyway?
You are met with confusion when you tell your family and friends about your plan to attempt water gardening. Your friends and relatives don’t understand that water gardening is using water and plants in such a way as to give a garden-like effect. One of the easiest forms of water gardening is creating a small pond in your backyard and adding plants to it.
The first step in creating a backyard pond is to decide how big a pond you would like to have. To begin with, it is best if you make a pond that is only slightly larger than a moderately-sized birdbath. The size of the pond can always be made larger later.
Once you’ve dug a hole in your backyard or within your garden you will need to find a liner for your pond. Simply filling up the new hole with water won’t work as the water will drain back into the ground. Visit your local garden center to find a liner. For small ponds you’ll probably be looking for a formed hard plastic pool. Purchase it and then take it out to the hole you already dug and make adjustments to the hole so that the liner will fit in snugly.
Once you have the liner ready, make sure that it easily fits into the hole that you have made in your lawn. Place it in the hole, and fill it with water. Your small pond is now ready for water gardening! The next step is adding plants to your new pond, let’s consider using water lilies.
Water lilies are very lovely and make for beautiful water gardening. Perhaps you have seen water lilies on display at your garden center during the summer months. They have a unique root system which supports itself on the surface of the water, and they are available in a variety of different colors. It is, however, important to note that water lilies are delicate and only thrive in warm weather.
Water Lilies are just one example of the type of plants that can be used in a water garden. There are all kinds of water loving plants that would be suitable for a water garden. It just depends upon what type of climate you live in and what type of water you are using.
One other thing that you should keep in mind in regards to water gardening is mosquitoes. Standing water attracts mosquitoes as they usually lay their eggs in still waters. You’ll probably want to look into some ideas for keeping mosquitoes away from your pond. Skimming the water daily to remove larvae could work. Ask at your garden center as I’m sure they’ll have some great ideas for you.
We live on a pond and I would really like to plant some native vegetation. Finding a supplier is the problem..
To avoid mosquitoes and still water add a waterfall. It also adds oxygen to a pond by creating a large surface area across which air can be absorbed into the circulating water.
Thanks for the great post. I’ve always enjoyed going to other’s homes and viewing their water gardens and always wished that I could have one of my own.
Unfortunately the property that I am currently at doesn’t allow for any type of pond so I am out of luck. One day though I will be able to find a place to build a nice pond at. I checked out some of the other posts on your blog too, you have some good content on here. Thanks again for the great post!
There is nothing that can beat a pond in your garden, they are so relaxing. A waterfall or fountain are great additions. You can also add some great fish.
A pond adds so much to your backyard, I agree. We have installed a few ponds as of recently, and at minimum, it made the backyards at least 20% nicer. Rough on the wallet for upkeep, but relaxing!
The best natural predators of mosquito larvae are either mosquito fish (guppies and their relatives) or dragonfly larvae. Keeping a healthy garden around the pond will eventually attract dragonflies, which will lay their eggs into the water.
Great tips! There are so many things to consider when it comes to water gardens. It may end up being costly if you don’t know what you’re doing but with the right tools and equipment.
Oh My! It makes me excited to start for my own Water Gardening too. Thanks for sharing us these steps. I am eager to start it in our pond.