Give Your Garden a Rippling Effect: Add a Tranquil Pond
Mary M. Alward
A pond is a landscaping tool that creates a tranquil, relaxing retreat in which to unwind after a busy day – a tranquil haven where all of your stress will disappear.
A pond will bring your garden alive. It will transform a still image in to one that is full of life. You will enjoy abundant wildlife that visit, including birds, butterflies, dragonflies, frogs, toads and other small creatures that are attracted by the sound of moving water.
A love of nature and gardening will help you keep your garden environment in balance while you’re designing your garden pond. Even if you are inexperienced in the subject of water gardening, you will be able to create a project that will bring a touch of nature’s magic into your garden.
Your pond will be your garden’s focal point; the centerpiece where all the main activity is focused. Beautiful blossoming water lilies will rest among lush lily pads while goldfish glide through the water. Watch dragonflies circle over the pond and perch at the water’s edge to lay their eggs. Your pond garden will be a tranquil, soothing place where blooming plants and wildlife will create an enchanting natural ecosystem.
While a pond can be totally self contained, it will be more successful if it is coupled with a bog garden. The plants used will provide opportunities for aquatic flora to flourish, as well as decorate the area around your pond. Plants included in your bog garden will allow you a unique opportunity to grow flora that would be impossible to develop in any other type of garden.
If your space is limited, or if a traditional pond is too large, container water gardens can be created. A half ba rrel fountain converted into a pond where gnome s rush and pygmy water lilies flourish makes a profound accent for your garden. If a barrel isn’t your idea of an attractive container, use old sinks, livestock watering troughs or a bathtub, covered in mosaics to create a unique container water garden.
When you are choosing a site for your pond, siting and safety are very important. The site is crucial to the success of your pond. It must be in a position to be highly visible and ecological factors must be considered. Plants won’t prosper unless the pond’s profile is suitable.
The materials that you use to construct your pond must be able to fulfill all the requirements that will be placed upon it. If you don’t know, ask. Mistakes made while creating your pond are difficult and expensive to correct.
Though the construction of a garden pond takes a lot of care and consideration, most gardeners have the ability to complete the project. The most important aspects in pond construction are ensuring that the structure is secure and watertight and that the pond is suitable for both the fish and the plant life you plan to incorporate into it. If you wish your garden pond to be successful, careful planning is essential. The site should be positioned so there will be no interference with electricity or water supplies.
Pond liners are the most popular for creating garden ponds and they come in a wide range of materials. They allow you to design the pond in any shape you choose and add a very influential bog garden. However, lines are very susceptible to damage. Construction must be handled delicately in order to keep risks minimal.
Pre-formed ponds place some limitations on your imagination, as they are rigid. They can be used to create a delightful pond for those who aren’t as particular about shape. Shop around to see what shapes are available before making your selection.
The best quality fabric to use for the pond’s liner is the bentonite blanket. It is a new concept and has been used very successfully. It enables the method of clay puddling in a totally new form. The blanket is a specialized clay layer between geo-textile fabric that allows you to line the excavation site with natural clay, but without the problems associated with traditional clay puddling.
Whatever technique you choose, be sure to shop around at nurseries and water garden shops to get the best deal for your supplies. The professional staff will also be happy to suggest the plants that will best suit your project. Before you know it, the project will be finished and you will be spending your evenings enjoying the soothing sounds of water.
About the author: Johann Erickson is the owner of Online Discount Mart and TV Products 4 Less. Please include an active link to our site if you'd like to reprint this article. He is also a contributing writer for sites such as Helpful Home Ideas
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