Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
5/26/03
Contacts:
Linda Naeve, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-8946, lnaeve@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Yard and Garden Column for the Week Beginning May 30
Water Adds a New Dimension to Gardening
By Linda Naeve
Extension Coordinator, Reiman Gardens
Iowa State University Extension
There is no doubt that gardening is a challenging hobby. Many gardeners are continually looking for new challenges that include trying new and different plants and techniques. For many, the next level is a backyard water garden or pond.
The sight and soothing sound of water, combined with the natural beauty of fish and aquatic plants, have made fountains and ponds so popular. Water adds an appealing element to a garden. It can be incorporated into a landscape in the form of fountains, waterfalls, containers, and small ponds.
During the last 10 to 20 years, interest in water gardening has soared. Ponds and water gardens in their many forms make up one of the fastest growing sectors of the garden industry. One reason may be the ease in which they can be constructed. Gone are the days of the cement ponds that required professional installation. Flexible liners and pre-formed liners have made ponds easy to install and more affordable.
Preformed
plastic or fiberglass liners come in a wide range of sizes, shapes and
depths. They are readily available and last up to 50 years.
Flexible liners allow gardeners to create pools, streams, and waterfalls
in many different sizes and shapes. Flexible liners are made from a variety
of materials, such as polyethylene, polyvinyl-chloride (PVC) and thick
butyl rubber.
There is a water feature for any garden, no matter how large or small.
Even patios and decks can accommodate a small water garden. The size is
limited only to the gardener's imagination and the space available. A
container water garden can range from a small ceramic bowl that will hold
a couple gallons of water and a small aquatic plant to a much larger tub,
pot or barrel. Add a small fountain to the container and you've added
a new dimension to your garden - sound.
If you are contemplating adding a water garden to your landscape, there are a few things to consider. The first is safety if small children frequently visit your garden. The second is location. A slope makes a good waterfall or stream, however, the pond should be on a fairly flat site. Also, make sure there aren’t any underground utility lines running through the area. Keep in mind, aquatic plants require at least four hours of sunlight each day to grow and bloom. Select a location where you can sit and enjoy the feature, such as near a deck or in front of a window. If you want to have fish in your pond year-round, it must be at least 2-1/2 to 3 feet deep.
When planning a water garden, it is a good idea to see what other gardeners have done and get as much information as you can. Water garden enthusiasts have formed organizations to share information and ideas. The Central Iowa Water Garden Association, the Eastern Iowa Pond Society and the Northern Iowa Association of Pond and Water Gardens are active groups that promote the hobby of water gardening. Several good reference books have been written on water gardening, and your local nursery or garden center may have useful information.
Several communities and organizations throughout the state sponsor garden tours as fund-raising events. The Central Iowa Water Garden Association and the Story County Master Gardener Association sponsor an annual 'Pond Tour'. It will be held July 19 and 20. Twenty-four private gardens in central Iowa will open their gates to visitors. You will see a variety of different water garden designs from small, intimate water features to very large ponds. For more information, see their website at www.ciwga.org. You are sure to get wonderful ideas for your own garden.
Whether you are an avid, experienced gardener or a novice, a water feature will add a new dimension to your landscape and gardening skills.
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Editors: A color photo, suitable for publication, is available at right. Click on the thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The picture's fullsize photo is 247K. Caption: Water feature in the Town and Country Garden at Reiman Gardens, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. |
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