How To Build A Water Garden Fountain

Garden fountains are accessories to water ponds - be they small or large. The sound of flowing water, be it rippling or cascading are so relaxing that they add up to the peacefulness and tranquility of outdoors.

There are so many fountains to choose from. You can go for the dramatic fountains that are made out of cast stone. You can save space by going for wall fountains. There are so many finishing to select. There is the garden wall fountains that are appropriate for both indoor and outdoor use. There are sandstone finishes that add classy appeal.

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Other factors we suggest you consider before deciding on the ideal fountain for you is your living space situation. Is your garden big enough to accommodate the outdoor fountains made out of copper, stone, and fiberglass? These fountains are normally so large that those who have big gardens consider these to be the center of their exterior.

Another factor that determines the kind of water garden fountain you purchase is if you have pets. If the fountain you get is on ground level, then your pet may think that it is a bathtub, or better yet for him, a swimming pool. Sometimes, they will even drink from it.

For others, water fountains, from the looks of it, may be daunting. You do not have to go to the mall yourself and check how much they are. Obviously, these are expensive. You have a water garden and you are already satisfied with a water feature that is appropriate for the landscape. A small water fountain can do the trick. It is not only cheap, it is also low-maintenance. As long as you hear the ripping of the water, your nerves will be relaxed. Why need a big fountain, right?

So you decided to build your own water garden fountain. Here are the steps:

1. Consult an electrician who could install the ground fault circuit interrupter near the man-made pond. The cord length depends on how far the fountain is from the pond. Ideally, the landscaping for the garden fountain is inches close to the patio so that while you are relaxing on the patio, you are soothed with the sounds coming from your fountain.

2. Remove the weeds that are surrounding the are you chose to put your water fountain. Double check whether the ground is level. Then that is when you dig the hole. This is where you will put the pond liner. In order for you to get the accurate dimensions of the hole, trace the preformed pond lining plastic and trace around the area.

3. Make sure that your hole is deep enough to accommodate the water garden fountain that you have in mind. Use sand to fill between the gaps. Sand can be used at the bottom because it is malleable and will let you have an easier time adjusting the height of the pond for your water garden fountain.

4. Before instilling the water garden fountain, check whether the ground is level, front and back, right and left.

5. Now you're ready to put your water garden fountain. If your main concentration on having a fountain is the decoration, then you should build a fountain that is cheap enough for you to go about the total costs. Make sure that you will be able to save more having done the job yourself than buying one and having technicians to install It for you in the first place.

6. This can be done sans plumbing, as a matter of fact. You can just drill holes in the bottom of your 'statue' and then another one on the top. With a knife, you can make the holes bigger so it would allow the plastic tubing to pass through easily.

7. Discharge the adapter of your pump by half an inch. This is where the water pushes out. Now that the plastic tubing has been fed through your statue, you can bring it over the man-made pond.

8. Fill the pond with water by putting the pump into the water, Let the tubing be submerge but at the same time, make sure that it remains hanging by the bottom of the statue. Double check that it is the right fit above the pump's adaptor.

9. Plug the pump into the outlet and watch the jet of water shoot out of the statue. You will enjoy it more because your very own hands are responsible for this project.

How To Build A Water Garden Fountain

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Pond Plants for a Better Water Garden

Having pond plants is one of the best ways to keep your water garden healthy. The process of photosynthesis, which takes place during the day with the presence sunlight, helps the pond to be well aerated. The energy and oxygen produced by this process helps the creatures the dwell in the water to have plenty of air to breathe. Not to mention the presence of beneficial bacteria in the bio filter which are responsible for the conversion of ammonia to nitrates.

Aside from the fact that pond plants beautify a fish pond or a water garden even more, they also serve a valuable purpose in the balance of the entire eco system. Aquatic plants like lily pads and water cress are use to effectively compete with green water for phosphates and nitrates which result from the nitrogen cycle. If fewer nitrates are consumed by the algae in the pond, there will be a smaller chance for algae bloom.

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The ideal number of aquatic plants to be used in a fish pond or a water garden per square meter of surface area is 1 big water lily, 1 bog plant and 2 bunches of oxygenators. And by ideal it means that you can still vary it up a bit to fit to your water garden and to your preferences as well.

The usual aquatic plant species that is used in fish ponds and water gardens is the water lily. This type of plant come is pads and can survive in pond water not shallower than 60cm. keep in mind that plants grow in size. This means that you must not be to enthusiastic in putting plants in your pond or else they may overtake the whole area and mess up the balance of the eco system.

For you to be able to put the right plant species in your pond here are 6 different aquatic plant categories. Each aquatic plant differs according to its habitat, size and function in the water garden.

The first category is the water lily. It is also the most common of all aquatic plants used in ponds. Also known as Lotus Flower, this type grows vigorously that's why it is important to not put too many of this in your pond. The ideal part of the water system for aquatic plants is 2/3 of the water's surface. The main function of water lilies in ponds is to beautify it.

If you want your pond to be abundant in oxygen, then go for the oxygenators. As the name suggests, this aquatic plant category provides the pond a good source of oxygen once totally submerged in water. Oxygenators either float in the water or stay on the soil once planted. Examples are Water crowfoot; Water violet, Hornwort and Parrots feather.

Another category is the floating pond plants. These plants don't necessarily need soil to live. They have roots that dangle down as if hair strands. Just like water lilies, these plants are used to add up to the already existing aesthetic value of the water garden or the pond.

If you find plants around the edges of the pond, those belong to the category of emerging marginal pond plants. They normally grow in the water where the depth is 6". To avoid blowing over, these plants are affixed on rocks or pebbles.

Marginals is another pond plant category which pertains to the plants found in the shallow areas of the water system. The plants in this category include Bog Primula, Reed Mace, Pickerel, Water Buttons and the Marsh Marigold which are capable of existing even in muddy areas of the pond that's why they are oftentimes mistaken to be a part of the bog plants category.

Bog plants are those that stay in muddy or boggy areas of the water system where there is enough shade. These plants survive in about 2" of water exposure. They die in the winter and flourish in the summer. Examples include: Lobelias, Goats beard, Yellow star flowers, and scarlet flowers.

Pond Plants for a Better Water Garden

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