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| Three-tier Courtyard Fountain |
Garden ponds and fountains were once mainly for the
very rich. Today, anyone can have a garden pond or fountain. A fountain or
waterfall can be included almost anyplace--even if your "yard" is
limited to a patio or balcony.
Adding water to your patio can be as simple as
setting out a shallow dish of water for use as a birdbath. Any shallow
container at least 6 inches wide and a half-inch deep will work. Pie pans,
garbage can lids, or flowerpot bases work well in small spaces. One tip is to
take the base of a clay pot, and sit it on top of a clay pot that has been
turned upside down, fill the container with clean water and wash it every day
or two.
Adding a fountain may be a little more challenging for small spaces but can be done see the simple fountain and courtyard fountain below.
The wildlife attracted to the water will depend on where you place the
container. Containers set on the ground usually attract the greatest number of
wildlife species, from birds and butterflies to squirrels and toads. Hanging
birdbaths or ones on pedestals will be restricted to those creatures that can
fly or jump high enough to reach the water, and give birds a chance to escape
from neighborhood cats and other predators.
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| Lotus and Lily Pads |
If you want to grow water plants--and perhaps a fish
or two--you can add a tub garden to your patio or yard. Many products are on
the market today. Frequently, half whiskey kegs with plastic liners are used.
Numerous plastic tub gardens are available in a variety of sizes and have the
advantage of being lightweight and inexpensive. Small pumps can be added to any
of these containers to allow for fountains or cascades of water. Moving water
is pleasant to listen to and attractive to wildlife. Check out my other article on the top ten water/ pond flowers.
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| Simple Fountain |
Here are some considerations before adding a small
tub pond to your patio or yard.
If you want to grow water plants, choose a container
that is at least a foot deep. While some water plants do well in shallow water,
other species--including some water lilies--require deeper water.
Consider adding a variety of plant species. Depending
on the depth of your tub, place pots of plants either on the bottom or on
bricks to achieve the proper depth. Floating plants such as duckweed also can
be added. Floating plants reduce the amount of sunlight that enters the water,
which helps reduce the growth of algae. When adding potted plants, place a
layer of stones on top of the soil before setting the pots in the water. This
will help hold the soil in place and help prevent any fish from
"digging" into the pots.
If you live in a cold climate, consider what you will
do with the tub garden in the winter. Small tubs can be moved inside if a
suitable location is available. Other tubs may need to be drained to prevent
damage from freezing.Adding things such as lights and spray fountains will increase the overall look of the pond and also helps decrease algae because of the aeration. Check out my article on How to Choose the Best Pond.
Caution: Use caution and take security measures if
small children have access to your pond. Even small tub gardens can be
hazardous. If you intend to have a fountain or waterfall, be sure a grounded
electrical outlet is available.
Above all, have fun. Water gardens provide habitat
for wildlife, but also can be an enjoyable hobby for you and your family and a beautiful addition to your yard.
