Catch the Water Gardening Craze

Water gardening is becoming an ever-popular form of gardening, and it's easy to see why. Who can resist the tranquil scene of colorful fish swimming amongst a beautiful display of water lilies and other marginal flowering and foliage plants with the relaxing sound of running water in the background?

At first glance, it may seem that water gardening is too complex or too much work for the average gardener, but that is far from the truth. Once a water garden is set up, it requires less work than a regular ol' dirt garden...no weeds to pull, no wilted plants to water. The most exciting part, though, is that a water garden adds a completely new and exciting dimension to your backyard.

Different people build ponds for different reasons. At one end of the spectrum are water gardeners. A water gardener's main objective is growing aquatic plants. As water gardens have gained in popularity, so too has the availability of plants that grow happily in water. The variety is nearly endless. The most popular and possibly the most beautiful are the water lilies. Whether hardy or tropical, day or night blooming, the vibrant flowers float like star-shaped gems among the lily pads. The majestic lotus always draws attention with its huge umbrella-like leaves and equally large flowers of pink, white, yellow, and red. Marginal or bog plants grow in the shallow water at pond's edge and help make the transition from pond to surrounding landscape seamless.

At the opposite end of the spectrum are the fish keepers. Fish keepers design their ponds solely for the purpose of raising colorful pond fish and usually have few if any plants in the pond. Koi and goldfish are the most popular for backyard ponds. They come in a dazzling array of patterns and colors and are like living jewels dancing through the water. Because koi and goldfish need excellent water quality to thrive and stay healthy, fish ponds are often equipped with elaborate filter systems.

Koi and goldfish become a part of the family just as a dog or cat does. They are full of personality and quickly learn to recognize the person who feeds them. As the pond keeper works around the pond, the fish will follow begging for attention. Koi and goldfish are easily trained to eat from your hand and feeding the fish usually becomes the highlight of a pond keeper's day!

Most ponders fall somewhere between the two extremes. They want the best of both worlds, lush blooming plants and colorful, friendly fish. Luckily, it is very easy to have both. Koi have a habit of eating plants, so they usually don't make good inhabitants for a water garden, but goldfish are plant friendly and make a great choice for a mixed pond. The plants act like natural filters and will reduce the need for a large filter system. With some research and a little practice, balancing a mixed pond will become like second nature.

If you look out your window and see a boring lawn or your pool area needs a breath of fresh air, why not catch the craze that is sweeping across the nation? Now more than ever creating an aquatic oasis right outside your backdoor has never been easier or more affordable and I don't mean your swimming pool!

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