Lesson Structure: Water Gardening BHT307

There are 8 lessons:

1.  Introduction
   • Scope and nature of water gardens
   • What size water garden
   • Water supply: rain, tanks,etc
   • Water quality
   • Siting the water garden
   • Evapouration rate, water depth, safety
   • Water in garden design: formal, informal
   • Edging, Water sculptures, shade
   • Water effects: sound, reflection, movement, light, cooling,
   • Water life: algae, fish, mosquitos, wildlife, plants 
2.  Water Garden Construction
   • Introduction
   • Planning the water garden
   • What effect do you want
   • Matching the effect with the type of garden
   • Shape, size and location
   • Type of construction
   • Surrounds
   • Using a liner
   • Pre formed water gardens (Kits)
   • Pond edges
3. Equipment: Pumps, lights, filters
   • Submersible pumps
   • Lighting: power source, DC power
   • Lighting design with water
   • Pond filtration systems: sterile or living water
   • Mechanical or biological filtration
   • Swimming pool filtration
   • Sand filters
   • Diatomaceous earth filters
   • Cartridge filters
4. Ponds and Watercourses
   • Designing a natural watercourse
   • Siting a stream
   • Water circulation
   • Pond design
   • Dams
   • Bog gardens
   • Reed beds
   • Pond management
   • Oxygenating plants
5. Spas and Swimming Pools: Design and aftercare
   • Choosing a swimming pool
   • What sort of pool do you need
   • Structural considerations
   • Cost considerations
   • Types of pools: concrete, fibreglass, vinyl
   • Above or below ground
   • Pump and filtration system
   • What shape
   • Special features in a pool
   • Heating a pool
   • Pool care over winter
6.  Indoor and Outdoor Water Features
   • Introduction
   • Pot ponds
   • Water barrels
   • Wall plaques and wall fountains
   • Water walls
   • Water spouts
   • Bird baths
   • Fountains
   • Cobble fountain construction
   • Waterfalls
   • Cascades
   • Canals
   • Using water features in a landscape
7.  Water Plants
   • Introduction
   • Waterside trees and shrubs
   • Bog plants
   • Emergent water plants
   • Floating leaf plants
   • Aquatic plants
   • Water lilies
   • Plants to avoid in water gardens
   • Surrounding plants
8. Aquatic Animals
   • Introduction
   • Conditions needed by fish and aquatic animals
   • Maintenance
   • Fish
   • Frogs
   • Tortoises
   • Water snails
   • Insects
   • Birds
   • Troubleshooting 

Please Note:  Each lesson requires the completion of an assignment, submitted to your tutor and returned with relevant suggestions, comments, and extra reading, where required.

Learning Goals:  Water Gardening BHT307

• Understand the nature and scope of water gardens.
• Identify and describe generic construction materials and techniques suitable for water gardens and pools.
• Select appropriate equipment for use with water features.
• Specify the design and construction of a pond or watercourse.
• Specify the design, construction and maintenance of a spa or swimming pool.
• Specify the design & construction of a Water Feature other than a pond or water course.
• Identify the water plants commonly used in water gardens.
• Identify a variety of aquatic animals suitable for water gardens, and their requirements.

Things to Consider When Selecting Your Water Garden Location

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General

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