While garden ponds can be beautiful to behold, they also require a good deal of maintenance—not to mention an adequate amount of space. If your space is small—even balcony or courtyard size, you can still bring the attractiveness of water to your small garden no matter what its size. The following article discusses small water features that work anywhere—big and small gardens alike.
Just because you may have a small city lot and a tiny garden in the back does not prevent you from installing a garden pond—it just needs to be small and fit to the confines of your space. As water gardeners may tell you—it is not the water that is generally the trouble it is the aggressive nature of most water-loving foliage that threatens to overtake the whole area. This can be avoided by planting such invasive species in containers where they may be more easily controlled. A small garden pond is quite lovely and works well in a courtyard-size garden.
First, mark out the space and decide if your pond will have a concrete base or a liner. The most difficult part is at the time of the initial installation. Let the water settle for a few weeks before introducing plant or animal life. Any garden pond will need some maintenance, but by routinely checking the water balance and removing excess detritus you can save yourself the difficult task of giving it a complete overhaul—emptying it out and starting from scratch. Test kits and well as pond “fixes" are available online or at most local garden centers.
If a pond is not right for you, and it is not always the ideal water feature for busy gardeners, there are many other ways to enhance your garden or landscape with water that are also wonderfully low-maintenance. Any container with a solid bottom can be transformed into a water feature—from barrel size to the size of a basketball. A medium-size terracotta pot filled with water to house a single lotus is a lovely effect for a picnic bench or placed on the patio to be admired. A very large container may even be home for a few goldfish or koi.
Another great water feature is a simple rock pool. A large one is not as natural-looking as most garden ponds, but these may be even simpler to maintain especially of no plants or animals are introduced. Pavers, pebbles and stone blocks may be all that is needed for a simple design. Simply add water and it may be as shallow or deep as you choose. Various types of rock with differing hues will prove an attractive water feature for any garden. Rock and water are both naturally occurring elements in nature and pairing them together makes for wonderful visual appeal.
Placing a rock in the center of such a pool is a characteristic feature of Japanese water gardens. The Japanese also favor simple rock basins—rocks with an indented surface where standing water collects. Water is an essential feature of Oriental gardens.
Of course, introducing a current or movement to any water feature will go further at bringing it to life. A fountain need not be grand and cascading. A small trickle can do the trick. Fountain can be creatively improvised or purchased. A simple fountain be attached to a wall or stand freely. Wall fountains may be difficult to install but the free standing models that have the look of traditional wall fountains are utterly simple to hang and fill with water. Also, a single jet or pump (these can even run off solar power) can be placed in a large container filled with water.
Adding water is just one of many ways gardeners can enhance their space. It is a great way to reflect personality and creativity. An old claw foot tub makes a great water feature for an informal country garden. A formal patio may be perfect for a small rectangular marble pool that works great as a border. Small birdbaths are also simple water features that animals enjoy. Small water features can pose wonderful visual surprise and are at the same time, easy to care for.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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