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“Rest is
not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening
to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly
a waste of time,” according to Sir John Lubbock, a turn-of-the-century
English statesman and naturalist. Introducing a water element such as a freestanding
fountain or mini-pond into your garden or patio will help to create a relaxing
environment for enjoying those idle moments in the long, languid summer days
and nights to come.
A water garden
is a delightful way to subtly enhance the mood of and add visual interest
to your existing landscape. With some simple supplies and a few helping hands,
in just one day you can replicate a miniature babbling brook that requires
very little maintenance and makes for a great addition to a garden, deck or
even a sun porch. Any type of container that holds water can be made into
a water garden, whether you prefer a simple, freestanding fountain or a charming
sunken garden.
Invest in a pot
or container that suits your particular taste and style, purchase a small,
submersible pump with a valve that makes it easy to control the height of
the water plume, and voila! You will have a gently bubbling fountain display
that will enhance your natural surroundings immeasurably. If you use a container
that is at least twelve inches deep, you can even add a few goldfish, which
will eat any pesky mosquito larvae that may attempt to hatch in your water
garden.
When selecting
the ideal location, keep in mind that your freestanding fountain or mini-pond
will likely become a focal point in your garden or on your deck. Take care
to place it in an area where it will showcase existing elements that you want
to accentuate, such as next to an interesting architectural element of your
home, at the edge of a walkway, or in a well-established part of your garden.
Choose an area
with at least four or five hours of direct sun, with some protection from
the late afternoon sun, and close to an electrical outlet. Ask an expert from
your local garden retail store or an electrician for advice on safely installing
insulated underground wiring if you wish to make your water element a more
permanent fixture in your garden. Once you have added water to the container,
you will not be able to move it easily, so make certain it is in the perfect
location before you fill it.
Unless you have
chosen a waterproof container, you will need to seal the inside of the pot
with a liquid water sealant and then let it dry completely before filling
it with plants and water. Once you have established the correct positioning
by setting the pump in the bottom of the container and pulling the electrical
cord through the drainage hole, seal the hole by following the directions
on a package of pre-mixed, quick-drying cement. If there is no drainage hole
in the bottom of your container, or if you prefer a lower-maintenance set
up, simply drape the electrical cord over the rim of the container and cleverly
hide it by covering it with a few stems of a surrounding plant.
When you have
allowed sufficient time for both the cement and the sealant to dry, you will
be ready to assemble the fountain and add the finishing touches—aquatic
plants and water. You can elevate the pump in the center of the container
by placing it on a brick or other similar prop. Once the pump is secured in
place, fill the pot with water to cover the pump by a few inches. To avoid
any malfunction of your fountain, the water level should never dip below the
pump when it is activated, and you should check the pump regularly to be sure
it is clear of algae and debris that may collect over time.
If you are feeling
a bit more ambitious, you can create a sunken water garden, or mini-pond,
which uses the same principles as the freestanding fountain but is submerged
in the ground. Once you have selected the ideal location, dig a hole that
is slightly larger and deeper than the waterproof container (20-gallon or
larger). The rim should sit flush with the surface of the ground when you
place the pot in the hole. Make sure the container is completely level before
permanently installing the fountain pump, then fill in around the submerged
container with sand or soil to secure it in the hole.
Place potted
plants and floating water plants, such as the native Louisiana iris and water
lilies, in your mini-pond. Then, fill it with water and add two or three goldfish,
if you so choose. Camouflage the unfinished edges of the container with flat
stones, soil and mulch and surround it with additional plants.
Other than replacing
water that evaporates and regular fertilizing and pruning of your aquatic
plants, there is very little maintenance involved in either a freestanding
fountain or a mini-pond.
When combined with a soft patch of grass to lie upon (or a comfortable lawn chair to lounge in) and a cool drink of choice, a softly bubbling fountain in your water garden will add beauty and tranquility to those precious idle moments during the long, hot summer ahead.
Copyright © 2002 L&M Publishing, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
