Water is indispensable in the garden.
Whether it is a koi pond or one with goldfish, a natural biotope is also possible, it always makes the garden more lively. Of course, flowers and plants are beautiful, but water gives that extra piece of nature. On the Facebook page The Watergarden we not only look at the pond but also from the pond to the garden. An aquarium is simply a water garden in the house
Frogs, toads, and salamanders sometimes survive only as species because they find good shelter in all those private water bodies. The owner of the pond, monitors the water quality closely. Birds also benefit from it. In the Netherlands, for example, the Blue Heron (Ardea cinerea) was on the list of endangered species. Now there is a special urban version feasting on all the goodies that found in the pond.
Ponds; explore the possibilities.
First, there were the natural biotopes admired by nature-lovers. Soon the koi pond became populair. Two extremes. From pure nature to a lot of technology. It seems to be two camps that are directly opposite each other.
A wide range of other pond variants soon emerged between these two ‘poles’. Each with its requirements for technology and design. Here I will try to give a clear description of all those different variants so that you can come to a clear choice of a pond. I describe nine different ways in which water can get its place in your garden. With the different variants, I give instructions in terms of technology and construction. So choose and start your water garden.
1 WATER ORNAMENTS
They are especially popular in smaller gardens: an image over which water flows, a millstone or Japanese bamboo slaps. They are quick and easy to install and add water as a refreshing element to the garden.
Place a round pond basin at a strategic location in the border or on the terrace. These are available with a diameter of 60 to 140 cm. The tank is equipped with a pump (ensure safe power supply) and filled with water. A grid will be added to this. From this moment on the choice is yours. A source can be created with a pile of beautiful stones. An Adonis or a beautiful lady give the garden cachet. Images of animals do well in the children’s garden. You can, of course, keep it at a simple fountain. There are plenty of options to get water into the garden this way, without a pond.
Maintenance does not take much time. Changing the water occasionally, keeping it clean and some pump maintenance is all. Empty in the winter. Otherwise, the whole thing will freeze.
(Time spent on maintenance: 1 hour per week.)
2 THE MIRROR POND
A water feature as an ornament. This type of pond is always sleek in shape and only acts as a mirror. This usually concerns ponds that are built above ground. No plants are included in the pond. At most some water lilies. A fountain is also possible. The mirror pond gives a spatial and cooling effect. Because there are no good natural cycles in these types of ponds, maintenance mainly consists of cleaning and changing water. Algae blooms can be suppressed with a UVC filter.
The pond does not have to be deep. The plant depth of any water plants placed is already sufficient. You must take the environment into account when designing it. For example, if you live in a brick house, it is best to use bricks for the retaining walls of the pond. You can cover this with any desired material. Lead and zinc look very natural. You can cover the pond itself with foil that you attach between the cover. A polyester layer or P1 pound coating is also good. Also, hide the cord. If you want to keep your pond clear with a UVC filter, it is best to install watertight outlets just above the building line through the retaining wall.
Power supply.
You can connect the hoses to and from the UVC filter to this. The UVC emitter must have a concealed place close to the pond. Often underground is right next to the pond a good place. You can also place the electric supply here. Make sure you have watertight housing. Then fill the pond and from now on you will be able to enjoy gently rippling clouds or a wavy ornament. This, incidentally, only if you properly figure out the location of your mirror pond in your water garden. For example, just under a tall tree makes no sense.
(Time spent on maintenance: 1 hour per week.)
3 THE PLANT POND
A natural biotope, which will usually find a place in a garden that also looks natural. Because no fish are released in this type of pond, filtering is not necessary. The plants, spontaneously popping up amphibians and insects are the beauty of these types of water features.
Build the pond at the deepest point of the garden. Choose a natural shape. A credible edge finish can be achieved with edge planting and here and there a large stone or some wood. Take care of a natural design further down the garden. Bringing back the materials used for the edge finish into the garden creates a whole. The pond pit can be covered with foil. Some even use clay, but that costs a considerable amount and skill is a must.
(Time spent on maintenance: 1 hour per week.)
4 COMBINED PLANTS / FISH POND
Also a natural biotope, but with a small preferably native fish. Fish species do not need to be supplied with food. This includes sun bars, Chinese bitter roaches (the native ones are protected) and all other species that we find in ditches and ponds.
Do not introduce hunters or fish that grow too big. Choose small species. In this type of pond, marsh plants provide the purification of the water and real aquatic plants provide the oxygen. Achieve the construction of a combined plant/fish pond in your water garden in the same way as the plant pond.
(Time spent on maintenance: 1 hour per week.)
5 THE FISH POND
This type of water feature is especially for fish. We think of sturgeon, goldfish, and varieties thereof, golden tench, Ide, etc. All of them are fish that can grow properly and therefore need a regular extra meal. These fish species will quickly consume the naturally present food in the pond. So you have to top up. And the rule is always: feed in the water, filter on the side. (Time spent on maintenance: 1 hour per week.)
6 THE KOI POND
Japanese ornamental carp swim around in this kind of pond. Because these fish are also compared to pigs (they eat and defecate a lot and are also very inefficient), intensive filtering is necessary. The cost price of the beauties also means that their caregivers (have to) intensively focus on good water quality. They nurs their pets in their water garden. Top info you find on reliable Koi pond
(Time spent on maintenance: 1 hour per week.)
7 THE DUCKPOND
Keeping waterbirds in the pond is a very special sport. These winged friends eat almost every plant they find. They cause serious pollution, so filtering is also necessary here.
(Time spent on maintenance: 1 hour per week.)
8 THE DITCH POND
Enthusiasts who live along a ditch or other public water are lucky. They do not have to dig and struggle. An investment in a beautiful wall side is sufficient. Many varieties you find at a pond specialist and garden centre. Take the planting into account. It is advisable to check with the local authorities whether you can use the waterway in front of your door as a ditch pond.
(Time spent on maintenance: 1 hour per week.)
9 THE SWIMMING POND
Water draws. And what could be nicer to bathe in your biotope? So we are not talking about a swimming pool here! These are ready-made for sale and only need to be buried and installed. We mean here a biotope in your water garden which you can wonderfully be one with nature.
(Time spent on maintenance: 1 hour per week.)