Spring into Warm Weather with a Water Garden

A water garden is a relaxing way to while away the warm hours. Even if you live in an apartment, you can enjoy the serenity a water garden can give.

A water garden can be as simple as a large pot on the patio to a giant hole in the ground.

First, you need to determine how much room you have and how much room you are willing to allot.

If you live in an apartment chances are you at least have a small space outdoors to call your own. Even if you don't have any outdoor space a sunny spot near a widow will suffice. Many garden centers, pottery stores, and specialty shops sell large pots and even whiskey barrels that make excellent miniature water gardens.

You can fill these with water, drop in a miniature water lily and miniature cattails, or choose from a variety of other water plants now widely available. You can shop at local garden centers, pond specialty stores, even online pond stores have a wide variety of plants to choose from. If you buy a low cost water conditioner, you can even add a small variety goldfish or two. Larger varieties of goldfish and Koi are not recommended for the patio pot water garden.

If you have a small yard you'd like to enhance with water there are even more choices. There are small to large preformed ponds that you can set right into the ground.

Dig your hole according to the measurements of the pond, leaving 3-5 inches of extra space all around the form. You will want the hole to be at least 5 inches deeper than you want the pond to set. After you have dug a hole check the bottom to be sure it is as level as possible. You will not want any rocks in the bottom. Water weighs a lot and the weight of the water pressing the pond down onto a rock will eventually damage the integrity of the pond.

Layer the bottom of your hole with at least 5 inches of sand. Then set your pond into the hole. If the pond is small enough you can use a shovel handle to check that the rim of the pond is just above ground level. At this point, add a little water. Does it cover the bottom evenly? If not, remove the pond and shift the sand to create level ground. Continue to test the levelness in this manner until you get an even cover of water.

Next, you will use sand to fill in around the edges of your pond. Don't get into a hurry here. Take your time and be sure everything is level and packed tight. After you have filled in all the way around your new pond, lightly water the sand so it will settle. I know you wanted it done yesterday, but let it set. Tomorrow is another day.

Overnight, there will likely have been some settling in the sand. Top it off and fill your pond with water. You can now add a pump and filter system, then set your flat rocks around the edges. Make sure everything is working properly before adding plants and fish. If you are going to add fish, don't forget to condition your water first.

Another option for a pond is the pond liner, available online and in some garden centers. To build your pond using a liner you will dig a hole and add sand as you did for the preformed pond. But, this time as you dig you will need to add a few ledges in the hole to set your plants on. Many water plants are bog plants. They grow just below the water surface. An added benefit of a liner is you can choose what shape you would like your pond to have. Your pond liner will need to be above ground level. We used treated 2x6 lumber for a level edge to work with. Level the ground around the pond with sand, set the treated wood and wrap the edges of the liner around the wood. You will need 10 to 12 inches of excess liner outside of the pond.

Everything else is done the same as for a preformed pond. There are plenty of accessories to choose from to add to your pond if you want; fountains, lights and other forms of fun.

Add plants and fish and watch your garden come to life. Birds, dragonflies, frogs and even an occasional deer or other wildlife will relish your new water garden as much as you do. Now all that's left to do is enjoy your new restful area.