How to Care for a Water Garden

A water garden adds a special touch to your yard. It's a stunning addition that also adds a sense of peace and tranquility. You'll be happy to learn that caring for a water garden is not much more difficult than caring for any other kind of garden, and the information in this article can help. In this article, we'll talk about caring for a water garden and winter care for a water garden.


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A water garden can add a dramatic touch to your yard.
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Caring for a Water Garden

Keeping a water garden attractive and healthy is surprisingly easy. The following tips will help.
  • Occasionally remove plants to prune away dead or dying leaves. While you're at it, insert fertilizer tablets, about one per five quarts, into their containers.

    • water garden pond
    Keeping a water garden tidy helps keep it healthy.

  • Remove any dead leaves and other organic material that has accumulated on the pool bottom.

  • An occasional spray with a hose will knock any aphids that have developed on plant leaves into the water where fish will eat them.

  • Clean the filter occasionally according to the manufacturer's instructions.

  • Add water as necessary to maintain the proper water level.
Keep reading to learn about winter care for your water garden.

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Winter Care for a Water Garden

Winter care is also quite simple. In most climates, hardy plants can be left as they are. In cold climates, though, sink even hardy plants in the deepest part of the pond (three feet or more) to prevent freezing. In extremely cold areas, pools will freeze to the bottom. Tropical plants must be brought indoors for the winter in all but the warmest climates.

water garden pond
Maintaining a water garden pond is important for winter care.

It is normal for the water in a garden to turn soupy green upon occasion, especially early in the spring or when nutrient-rich fresh water is added, which can cause a rapid increase in the algae population called a "bloom." If the pool is properly balanced, with plenty of oxygenating plants to reduce the carbon dioxide level, abundant floating or emergent plants to absorb nutrients and shade algae out, fish and scavengers to consume the algae, and some water circulation, algae blooms should be of short duration. But don't expect water in a garden pool to be perfectly clear. That isn't any healthier for fish and plants than green water.

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