Water Gardening Frank Reilly Prince William County Master Gardener Virginia Cooperative Extension

Overview n site selection n types of water features n design n construction n water quality n plant selection n Problem-Solving –animals –maintenance –problems

site selection n viewing area –water gardens are magnets –is it a private retreat –is it a garden destination –is it a view from within the house –is it a view from the street

site selection n safety –water features are a magnet n warn your guests! –public access –avoid children's play areas –avoid underground utilities –weight and location

site selection n runoff –overflow –rapid temperature changes –excess n debris n nutrients n contaminants

site selection n sunlight –need 6 hours –smaller water gardens need more shade

site selection n trees –roots –leaves –debris

site selection n power n small ponds need pumps and filters –want lights –remember GFI for safety n and water

site selection n purpose

type of water feature n formal n natural n stream n fountain n barrel n waterfall n bogs

type of water feature n formal

type of water feature n natural

type of water feature n stream

type of water feature n fountain

type of water feature n barrel

type of water feature n waterfall

type of water feature n bogs

 Rain Gardens type of water feature

design n slope –rise over run –ponds must be flat –hills are great for waterfalls, or cascading ponds

design n liner materials –flexible: PVC or –Rubber n specifically for pond use n no roofing material n rigid

design n layout n pond n stream n bog n depth n measuring

design n layout n depth –2 feet to over winter –consider a shallow shelf –consider a beach

design n layout n depth n measuring n area x depth = volume –but remember to convert n gallons = volume in inches x 231 or volume in feet x 7.5 n liters = volume in meters x 28.41

design n layout n draw it out ALL the WAY

construction n layout n leveling

construction n digging n watch for rocks and utilities n Check the level!!! n Shelves n Leveling

Construction n Plan your filtration system n Allow for skimmer or pump and filter –Wiring –Plumbing

construction n padding –2 inches of sand –geotextile

construction n lining n liner size –width of pond + 2 x depth + overhang (usually 2 feet) –length of pond = 2 x depth + overhang

construction n edging –padding n leveling

construction n filling –watch the folds

construction n Planting n Watch the water temperature n Watch out for chlorine

plant selection n floating plants n submerged plants n emergent plants n lilies –hardy –tropical n bog plants

Floating Plants n Duck weed – Lemna spp. n Useful – some consider it a pest. Water Lettuce Pistia stratioides Water Hyacinth Eichorina crassipes Ludwigia setioides Marsilea mutica ‘Varietaga’ water clover

Submerged Plants n Look at the pet store!

Emergent Plants n Cat tails n Equisetum n Taro n Lotus n Water Chestnut n Iris n Reeds

Need More? n Iris louisiana

Bog plants n Sundews n Pitchers

Odd Ball Plant collections

Lilies n Hardy n Tropical

Ready to go plants

planting n techniques –natural bottom vs. potted –tropicals vs. hardy plants n densities –the more surface water you cover the less algae you fight –and the less water you see or hear

Overview n animals n maintenance n problems

Questions n Turtles/snakes and birds Oh My! n Green Water n Cloudy Water n Leaks n Skeeters

animals n Visitors –Design changes – elevation –Netting –Reality check n snails –examine your plant material n Fish –goldfish koi others –be careful with exotic species

How does a Pond Work n Water n Sediment n Air

Water Quality n Nutrients the most important issue n The source of most problems you hear

Green Water n What causes it?

Algae Growth n Water n Nutrients n Light n The right temperature

Green Water n Emergency –Chemical Flocculation –Dyes –Poisons n Patience n Long Term –Better practices n Resignation-Adaptation –Give up or change the design –Planting

Cloudy Water n What causes it?

Cloudy Water n Emergency –Filters –Flocculation n Patience n Planting n Design

Leaks n Are you sure? n Troubleshooting leaks –Wicking –Spilling –Punctures –Other damage – ANTS?

The Spring Pond n Water warms n Nutrients released n Spring algae or diatom blooms n Most ornamental pond calls n Don’t feed until 50 degrees

The Summer Pond n Warm water n Stratification n Nitrogen flux n Pea soup and clouds don’t mix

The Fall Pond n Cooling water n De-stratification n Turn-over n Stop feeding at 50 degrees

The Winter pond n Cold water n Stock heater or pump to maintain open gas exchange n Watch out for external plumbing n Never skate in Virginia

chores –Spring n Dredging n Replanting n Pest Control n Population Control

chores –summer n Algae Control n Mosquito Control n Filter Maintenance n Fertilization n Population Control n Plant Clean-up

chores –Fall n Leaf Control/removal n Filter Maintenance n Population Control n Stop Feeding

water quality n aging and/or treatment –chlorine in tap water –water temperature of well water n filters –types n internal vs. external n mechanical vs. biological –selection

Leaks n Is it? n Patch It

Skeeters n Moving water n Fish n Dunks

Questions n Should I run my pump all winter? n I’m scared of frogs how can I keep them out? n What about tropical fish? n My Plants won’t flower. n My fish are all gone – what happened?