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Live Next To Water With Your Water Garden
If you think you have missed
the simple pleasures of living next to water, heres your chance
to set it right. Just opt for a water garden and enliven the face
of your house, garden or surroundings. A water garden can extend
from a waterproof container in the yard, to a half-barrel with an
inbuilt fountain, to an in ground pond.
You may need to keep a few things in mind before
beginning to install a water garden at home.
Select the style: To begin with, you need
to be clear about the kind of water garden you want. You need to
plan the specific features for the pond. Would you want more of
aquatic animals or plants? Would you like a proper pond or a waterfall?
Once you have chalked out the plan, it becomes easy to walk the
water garden way.
Choose an appropriate location: If you
choose to have a water garden, opt for a location that will be picturesque.
You may like to view the fruits of your labor often. Most water
gardens attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife and form a
beautiful, natural and soothing view.
Size matters: Depending on the size of
your water garden, you may opt for a patio or a fountain or an in-ground
pond. Just make sure that it complements the size of the garden.
You may not want to overwhelm a small yard with a large pond.
Keep the location sunlit: 5 to 8 hours
of sunlight is very important for water plants. If you would like
to have your water garden in a shaded area, you may have a lesser
choice of plants.
Drain out: Drainage is a very important
factor for a water garden. The soil around the water garden should
have proper drainage facilities to avoid a break in the lining.
It would be wise to avoid low areas with water flooding in from
the surrounding landscape.
Keep the trees away: Avoid setting up a
water garden underneath overhanging trees. Problems of water clogging
may be rampant there. Also leaves falling in winter can harm fish
and plant life. Besides, the root of the tree can get harmed if
a water garden is placed too close to the tree.
Water should not be forgotten: The water
garden would require periodic re-filling of water. You may want
to opt for a pump for the purpose, or consider viable options for
the same.
Electricity: Beautify your water garden
with lights and other electrical equipment. However, keep safety
concerns in mind. Consult a professional if required.
Local regulations: Make sure you dont
get into regulatory issues for your water garden. You may like to
check the possible restrictions with your local building department
before installing a water garden. It may also be necessary to consult
local utility companies for the location of underground lines before
digging.
Maintenance: The water garden will require
maintenance, like any other garden. Periodic cleaning (removal of
debris), replenishing water and caring for plants needs to be a
regular routine. Besides, requirements will be different at different
times of the year.
So if you think living in the city has deprived
you of natural beauty, opt for water gardens. They enhance the natural
beauty of the landscape and provide a pleasant, stress-free and
soothing ambience.
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