2. Stillwater The Joy of Water Gardening in Oklahoma

3. Overview Good things can come in small packages Good things can come in small packages Choose a pond site wisely Choose a pond site wisely Things will start to take shape Things will start to take shape Frame it like a picture Frame it like a picture Yes there is some work involved Yes there is some work involved Where to go for assistance Where to go for assistance

7. Choosing a Pond Site Front yard vs back yard –Easily seen from your home –Easy to walk to—is there a path –Will you want to party around it –Will there be a deck –Do you need to take special safety precautions –Will children or elderly folks be at risk –Will it need railings or fencing –Does the City have rules

8. Choosing a Pond Site Sunlight and Trees –Water lilies require 6+ hours of sunlight –Trees can be messy –Seeds, leaves, propellers aaaaaaaaaaaaagh –What can you do about it? –Some trees are poison –black walnut –fruit trees are a hazard –Trees provide shade

9. Choosing a Pond Site Drainage –Mistake—don’t put it in a hollow –Boggy or wet soil can shift –Your liner may float out –Runoff from a rain can put things into your pond that don’t belong there, like fertilizer, mud, debris, pesticide –If a hollow is your only choice, consider raised edges to discourage runoff

10. Choosing a Pond Site Water and Electricity –A dangerous combination –Follow code –Know what you are doing or hire an electrician –Readily available

11. You Have Some Choices to Make What shape and how large do you want your water garden to be Copy this address into your browser and you will find a tool to figure the approximate number of gallons in the water garden you are planning. http://www.vnwg.com/building_tips0 1.jsp To get a more exact number after the water garden is built, just READ THE METER before and after you fill your water garden.

12. You Have Some Choices to Make Shape Formal Informal—irregular Garden hose method Above ground or in ground Preformed or Flexible liner Rubber or PVC, measured in mils One thousandth of an inch 45 mil liner Depth 2.5 to 3 feet Marginal shelf 1 foot at least

13. There’s An Edge To It Coping shelf 2” deep 16-18”wide Lay out your edging material

19. April —Home & Garden Show June -- Water Garden Tour (every other year) Meetings typically 3 nd Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. Next meeting? Check out our website and Newsletter www.stillwaterwatergardens.org Cost $10 per family