Ponds and water features
We love a good water feature and pond at GDS, but the truth is they add around 50% of maintenance time to your garden no matter what you do. There are a host of products to help with water quality and maintenance, but the reality is water features will require cleaning and attention so they look their best and are not breeding areas for mosquitoes and other insects.
The first thing to consider with any water feature, it what the desired objective. Are you looking for something modern, clean and refreshing to enhance your garden and give it a wow factor.
Would you like a fish pond to enjoy the many relaxing pleasures aquatic animals can provide, or is it simply the sound of running water that will give you and the garden a feeling of peace and tranquillity?
Whatever the reason is – the position of the pond is very important with regard to the health and well being of the pond, the plants or animals that inhabit it as well as the overall maintenance.
If you want a modern sleek water feature with little maintenance and do not want plants or fish, the easiest way is to treat it similar to a swimming pool using chemicals such as chlorine to keep the water clear and free of algae and insects. It will still require cleaning just as a swimming pool does as general debris and leaf matter eventually find their way in. Weekly upkeep to remove surface leaves plus a dose of chlorine will keep your water feature clean and smelling fresh to longer periods of time.
For those that wish to add some life to their water feature, this is not an option and therefore the position and depth of the water feature pond is very important. This should not be full sunlight for the entire day as this will create excess algae growth that you will be difficult to maintain without using harsh chemicals plus the water will heat quickly often killing the fish. A pond in full shade is also not the answer. Ideally your pond should only be exposed to approximately 4-6 hours of sun per day to enable your aquatic plants to photosynthesise and your fish to enjoy the warmth. Getting the dept right will help to control temperature, algae growth and promote healthy fish. Check your states laws and regulations as ponds or water features over a certain depth often require fencing, however, the reality is the deeper the pond the better. Better evaporation rates, better temperature control, safer for fish and aquatic life to hide from predators and a lot of plants such as water lilies thrive in water around 90-100cm deep. Adding the right plants to help protect surface area from heat will also help control the water temperature, along with filtration, natural biochemical solutions, and the right aerating plants will all help make you’re the water feature and pond stay cleaner and look great for longer. A water feature is a fantastic addition to your garden and will provide endless hours of enjoyment. You will love the calming effects of the water and watching the fascinating nature of its inhabitants but be prepared for the work and expense that comes with owing a water feature.
