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 Once water gardeners were limited to natural springs of water, channelled and piped to create the effects they wanted. A well was dug or river diverted. The wealthy,like Louis XIV at Versailles, had fountains fed by gravity from hidden reservoirs on hills, in the case of Versailles on the roof of the palace. The reservoirs were filled from vast water containers dragged on carts.
Power to the people
Now we have electricity and in water gardening terms we've never had it so good. With electricity and mains tap water available, you can water garden anywhere from the balcony of a flat to a stately home...
No outdoor space is too tiny. Small self-contained water features can be bought in every garden centre or aquatic outlet.
A pot can be plugged and sealed, filled with water and planted. If it's big enough a few coldwater or semi-hardy fish can be added.
Getting larger, statuary fountains; pebble pools; and wall-mounted "spitters" can be placed anywhere with an electricity supply (and in some cases room for a reservoir or sump).
Siting ponds
Once all artificial ponds were "puddled" - lined with clay compressed by the feet of cattle until it was watertight.
But flexible or semi rigid liners; or modern concrete coated with glassfibre and/or pond paint, mean that it's possible to build a pond on almost any site.
Placing a pond
When placing a pond avoid full sun, as algae will thrive. High temperatures don't suit most fish and white skinned Koi and goldfish can get sunburn.
Site the pond where you can see and enjoy it from the house. Consider security if you intend to keep expensive fish.
Avoid damp areas. Water can lift the liner and cause it to tear. If a damp area dries out in the summer concrete ponds may crack.
Find out where sewage pipes or electricity cables lie before digging.
Avoid overhanging trees - even evergreens will shed fronds into your pond clogging it with rotting waste.
Underground tree roots may puncture the liner.
Leave room to walk round your pond - building against a wall or fence may look nice but you undermine the wall's foundations - and how will you paint the fence or trim the hedge?
Sloping sites are not necessarily a problem. Building on a slope with the pond held back by a strong concrete block wall may be easier than digging out all the soil.
 Think about access to the pond for a mini digger or simply a wheelbarrow to take excavated soil to a skip.
If you can't excavate for some reason on your chosen spot (underground pipes being a common cause) consider a raised pond.
Go wild?
Wildlife ponds can be anything from a puddle to a lake. They don't require electricity and could be so surrounded by plants that you can't see the pond.
Full sun may not be a good idea on a shallow wildlife pond but if the water turns green who minds? Not the inhabitants. |
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