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Backyard Water Gardens

Backyard Water Gardens. Wyandotte County Kansas State Research & Extension. Backyard Water Gardens. Courthouse Annex Water Garden. Backyard Water Gardens. Water gardens may have a functional purpose – contour a slope Water gardens add aesthetic value

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Backyard Water Gardens

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  1. Backyard Water Gardens Wyandotte County Kansas State Research & Extension

  2. Backyard Water Gardens Courthouse Annex Water Garden

  3. Backyard Water Gardens • Water gardens may have a functional purpose – contour a slope • Water gardens add aesthetic value • Water features add a delightful and soothing dimension to the environment

  4. Design Decisions

  5. Backyard Water Gardens They can add aesthetic value. If so, they need to be located near a patio or deck area where people can relax and enjoy the tranquil setting

  6. Backyard Water Gardens They can be “lived” with and hidden away to be enjoyed privately

  7. Backyard Water Gardens They can be used to contour a steep slope

  8. Backyard Water Gardens Which style to build?

  9. Backyard Water Gardens Considerations: • Location • Barriers and fencing • City ordinances • Home owner insurance policy • Pond depth • Electrical

  10. Backyard Water Gardens Site Selection: • 5-6 hours of direct sun a day – water lilies & other aquatic species to produce blooms • Proximity to electricity and water sources • Safety – access to children • Avoid: - steep slopes - low spots and run-off water - trees roots and leaves (pine needles, oak and maple leaves are toxic to fish

  11. Backyard Water Gardens Size & Depth • Deep water area (24-30”) – over-winter plants and fish - keeps pond cooler in summer • Marginal shelf (12-15”) - plants requiring shallower water • Lotus shelf (18”) • Type of fish influence depth – goldfish are not Koi (Koi get 20” and larger and require deep ponds – up to 4’)

  12. Backyard Water Gardens Construction Basics

  13. Backyard Water Gardens • Construction Materials: ت Concrete ت EPDM (Pond Guard TM) ت Flexible PVC – 20 mil = 10 yrs ت Wooden or plastic half barrel ت Preformed plastic/fiberglass - $$$ X Swimming pool liners – algicide inhibitor X Roofing materials

  14. Backyard Water Gardens Pumps & Filters

  15. Backyard Water Gardens Pumps & Filters • Recirculating and filtering water - not always necessary - for fountains, waterfalls or streams - to reduce algae, waste & decaying debris • To choose the right pump, determine the ideal flow rate Rule of Thumb: water should be turned between ½ -1 times per hour (500 gal pond should have at least a 500 gal/hr pump)

  16. Backyard Water Gardens Waterfalls & Features

  17. Backyard Water Gardens Waterfalls & Features • Provide a focal point in addition to adding beauty • Wide range of shapes, colors, sizes and price ranges • Waterfalls – created by building a slope using excess soil, liner material & rocks to create a stream that is recycled with a submergible pump

  18. Backyard Water Gardens Plant Materials

  19. Backyard Water Gardens Plant Materials • Deep water plants • Marginal plants • Submerged plants or oxygenators • Floating plants

  20. Backyard Water Gardens Deep water plants • Include: hardy water lilies (Nymphaea spp.) and lotus (Nelumbo spp.) Marginal or Bog plants • Include: dwarf cattails (Typha minima), dwarf papyrus (Cyperus profiler), arrowheads (sagittaria spp) • Live at the pond’s edge • Provide cover, habitat, and oxygen

  21. Backyard Water Gardens Submerged plants or oxygenators • Include: fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana), water milfoil (Myriophyllum heterophllum), bladderworts (Utricularia spp) • Plants live entirely or mostly underwater, help remove excess nutrients, supply oxygen for fish, and to control algae growth

  22. Backyard Water Gardens Floating plants • Include: duckweed (Lemna spp), fragrant water lily (Nymphaea odorata), frogbit (Limnobium spongia), water fern (Azolla mexicana) • Plants float free on the surface of the water • Plants help prevent algae growth by shading out the sun; should cover 60-75% of the water surface

  23. Backyard Water Gardens • The basis of a water garden is a hole in the ground with a material to hold the water, a pump to circulate the water, a filter to aid in keeping it clean and clear. Then add a few basic aquatic plants to balance the pond’s eco-system.

  24. Backyard Water Gardens • www.watergardening.com • Water Garden Society of Greater Kansas City 913-599-9718

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