Posted by admin | Posted in Garden Sheds | Posted on 22-01-2010
Tags: diy, garden, garden maintenance, garden maintenance calendar, garden maintenance checklist, garden maintenance jobs, garden maintenance schedule, garden maintenance services, garden maintenance tips, gardening, home, howto
Garden Maintenance
Water Garden Maintenance Tips
If there was one thing that could enhance the look of a property’s exterior, it would be the presence of a water garden. Water Gardens can be designed in a multitude of fashions. In many cases, the craftsmanship of a water garden can reach virtuoso levels. However, designing and building a water garden is not enough. A water garden must be properly maintained. For some, this may seem like a ponderous (pardon the pun) task. But it really isn’t. While water garden maintenance does require effort, it is not overly complicated.
So, let’s look at a few common steps for proper water garden maintenance.
Reducing the presence of algae is critical. As far as ecosystems go, algae are quite helpful. However, algae can seriously detract from the look of a water garden when they become overpopulated. So, reducing the presence of algae is of paramount importance. One way to go about this involves using algaecides. Unfortunately, some algaecides can be dangerous to fish and only offer a short term solution. This is why it may be best to utilize ultraviolet sterilizers ( for green water algae) and/or proper filtration to help remove the nutrients that algae feed on and create a balanced ecosystem that is not conducive to their growth.
Be prudent when populating a water garden with aquatic life. If the water garden is overloaded with fish and other wildlife, the look of the water garden can be hampered. Also, the higher the volume of aquatic life in the water garden, the more algae will grow due to organic waste created by them. So, maintaining prudent levels of fish and other animals will have the ancillary effect of reducing algae and keeping the water clear and healthy.
Maintaining proper water levels is also paramount. Proper water levels are needed in order for the water garden’s pump(s) to work properly. If there is not enough water in the pond, the pump cannot properly oxygenate the water garden. This is a critical point because low oxygen levels will cause fatalities in the fish.
Removing any obstructions to sunshine will maintain the health of the water garden’s plants. If the plants die from lack of sunshine, the water garden becomes little more than a tub of water. This is why it is of significant importance that plants receive adequate sunshine. To maintain plant life, four to six hours of sunshine is needed for most plants. Any obstructions in the way of the sun’s rays must be removed. This includes trimming tree branches, bushes, etc. Again, this is where filtration and nutrient control becomes important, because while the “good” plants need light to grow, so does algae. However a healthy population of “good” plants with good filtration will help with <A HREF="http://www.naturalenviro.com/sections.php?section=AlgaeControl">algae control</A>, even in direct sunlight.
Make sure filters are maintained properly and replaced when necessary. Dirty water does not do a water garden good. That is why installing a proper filter is a must. Of course, one needs to keep a watchful eye on the filter(s) to make sure it/they operate properly. If not, then the filter must be replaced as soon as possible. <A HREF="http://www.naturalenviro.com/sections.php?section=PondFilters">Pond filters</A> will remove organic debris and in some cases chemical pollutants such as ammonia and nitrite, which can be toxic to fish.
Add treatments when needed. The various items that comprise water garden treatments are vast. When the need arises for adding specific treatments (chlorine removers, colorants, foam removers, beneficial bacteria, etc) then they must be added. It will keep your water garden healthy.
Of course, there are many other ways to keep a water garden in great shape. Really, there is no limit to proper maintenance and the tips provided herein will keep you on the right track.
Casey Coke is a Marketing Manager for Natural Environmental Systems, LLC, a global supplier of microbial solutions for pond and lake management. The company markets their own brand of <A HREF="http://www.naturalenviro.com/sections.php?section=Ponds">water garden supplies</A> under the registered brand name of Pond Keeper.
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Garden Maintenance Questions
Best low maintenance Flowers/plants for garden?
Hello,
i've never had a garden before, so am completley inexperienced. What Plants And Flowers would people recommend to plant? I don't have a great deal of money to spend, and would prefer something that will be sort of capable of looking after itself. I live in the UK.
I started my garden a couple of years ago . So I wanted fast results .I planted a few white potato vines to start with some height .,passion flower vines and morning glory .They grow pretty fast and they don't really need a green thumb .(i don't have one ). Then I planted some azaleas ,also very easy to care for ,and bushes like like the purity Japanese pieris . I bought most of them at Wal mart (it's the most affordable) and also at Home depot .Make sure you water regularly and keep snails out of your garden ,they can do real damage just overnight . Good luck!
Container Garden for 1st Time Homeowner?
I'm a 1st time homeowner with a small backyard and need help. I would like to plant a few plants in the backyard and was thinking about using containers rather then planting directly in the ground to avoid having to deal with the weeds (have alot weeds on the other side of my Fence). I like purple flowers, roses, and maybe a green plant with nice pretty green foliage would be nice also. Can someone suggest a few easy to care for plants that work well in large containers? I need something that is fairly low maintenance and prefer mostly plants that will come back every year. I'm in Virginia.
Also, on a side note. I have a peach lilly that was I given as a housewarming gift 1 1/2 years ago. It's still alive but it has not flowered since I had it. It had one flower on it when I received it but that died and it has not flowered since. I've tried buying plant food for it but i'm not sure if that's working becuase now some of the leaves are turning brown.
Thanks
blue fan flower,scaevola, with mini-rose...mexican petunia with ivy...dwarf alberta spruce with petunia
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