Things to Consider When Selecting Your Water Garden Location
Have you ever dreamed of building a Water Garden, but just didn’t know where to start? ADL’s online certificate course in Water Gardeng provides the necessary knowledge and skills to help you get started.
The first thing is to decide on the location of your water garden, but there many factors to take into consideration before making this decision.
In general, water gardens are best located near the lowest point in the garden, since this is where water naturally collects. Formal water gardens are an exception. They are not intended to emulate a natural landscape, so they can be sited anywhere and raised above the ground.
It is especially important to locate waterfalls and streams along natural contours to make them appear natural.
The lowest point in a natural-style water garden may be a frost pocket, where temperatures can become very cold, likely harming plants and fish.
Ponds require reasonable amounts of direct sunlight to grow well – consider how much shade and sun the pond will receive. Check nearby trees for leaves that may fall into the water, and whether or not tree roots may damage the pond. You will need a power source for cascades and fountains because they require a pump.
Choosing a Site Location
Whether you like it or not, water settles to a flat surface, so the slope of the land will always limit your options. Water cannot flow uphill without additional force (from a pump). There is always a tendency for water to collect rubbish, and the more rubbish it collects, the harder it is to keep clean.
Evaporation – don’t overlook this consideration!
A pond’s surface area determines its evaporation rate. Generally, shallow ponds in open areas lose water faster and experience greater temperature fluctuations than deeper ponds with a smaller surface area. Having some way to automatically add water is essential.
Depth of Water
Depending on its purpose, the depth of a water garden varies. It will need to be around 60cm deep if you plan to keep fish and/or grow water lilies. Bog plants might only require a depth of 10-20 cm if you’re growing them. Create different depths in your water feature to add flexibility to your design. In this way, you can provide a variety of different environments for different plants and animals (e.g. frogs).
Maintaining a Safe Environment
If you have young children, or if other children can easily access your garden, adding water features to your garden can pose a safety risk.  Babies and toddlers are at risk from even shallow ponds because they can drown in as little as five or six centimeters of water. You may need to provide appropriate fencing around any areas of your garden with water features so that you can control access.
A metal mesh frame can be set just below the water’s surface in smaller ponds. The mesh frame will be less visible and most plants can grow through it. Additionally, you will be able to protect your fish against predators, such as birds with mesh. Corrosive water will cause the mesh to corrode (rust), so regular replacement is required.
It is also, important to consider pool fencing regulations when landscaping the surrounding area. In order to prevent children from climbing the fence and accessing water, it is wise not to plant tall trees next to the fence. Don’t forget to comply with your local council’s bylaws regarding fencing near water.
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