The growth of interest in ponds, waterfalls and fountains in recent years has been nothing short of phenomenal.

Gardens are no longer considered complete without some kind of water feature, a pond if you have the room, or just a water barrel on the deck with a few plants and a small fish or two.

The therapeutic qualities of water are well-known. Some love the play of sunlight on a pond, or the serenity of fish slowly moving in water.

For others it’s the opportunity to add beauty and nature to the backyard, a welcome retreat for birds and wildlife, or as an extension of the home, an outdoor room for entertaining and relaxing.

According to Scott Rhodes, product manager for Laguna, a Canadian manufacturer and distributor of pond products, building a water garden is something you can do yourself provided you plan ahead and research your project, choosing the right equipment for your needs whether you want a large pond or a small one.

Rubber pond liner comes in many widths and is purchased cut to size. Choose a spot for your pond that will give you some shade as well as sun, or plant shrubs and trees to provide some shade.

Pond water needs to circulate, so choose the right size pump for the amount of water in your pond and how high you want your fountain or waterfall to be. Filters will remove debris and help to purify the water as well as perform biological and chemical cleaning.

To enjoy success with a pond, balance must be achieved. Good balance requires working with nature, not against it.

This is especially true of new ponds. A balanced ecosystem complete with plants and fish will attract all manner of local wildlife. Dragonflies will soon be skimming over the pond, eating mosquitoes, and frogs will be croaking.

The addition of aquatic plants and fish complete a pond. Water plants are categorized as deep water, shallow water, floaters or oxygenators. Water lilies are the most popular deep-water plants. Hardy water lilies are beautiful; many are fragrant and grow well here.

No pond is complete without fish. If you have city water, chlorine must be removed before stocking the pond, as it will kill fish along with any beneficial bacteria. Chlorine removers and chemical conditioners to establish beneficial bacteria and enzymes can speed up the process dramatically. Once this is done, plants and animals can be added to the pond.

The following provides a good starting point for a balanced pond. Some adjustments will be required, since ponds differ in light intensity, depth, surface area, nutrients, water movement and temperature. For each square metre of pond surface, stock: one medium water lily, three bunches of oxygenators, three trapdoor snails, and three goldfish. Koi require more space and excellent water quality. Feed them with food specifically formulated for their species, and remove any uneaten food after about five minutes.

A Laguna representative will be in Art Knapp’s April 27 from noon to 6 p.m. to answer your questions, offering expert advice on how to install and maintain your pond.

— Art Knapp’s

Plantland

source : www.comoxvalleyrecord.com