Who doesn’t love a cute water feature in their garden? Not only do they look fantastic and add character, but they are also great for attracting new and exciting wildlife straight into your backyard. However, whether you are thinking of getting one, or already have a water feature, there are a few practicalities – and problem areas – to consider. Let’s take a look to make sure your water feature doesn’t end up causing you more trouble than it is worth.
Safety
First and foremost, water features can be beautiful to look at, but if you have kids, you have to keep their safety in mind. Little children love water, no matter how dirty it might appear, and will be enticed into any pond, fountain, or pool. Grates, high boundaries, and even cordoned off fencing might be necessary to keep your kids safe.
Seals
Any water feature needs to be sealed entirely, as the slightest little hole or tear can result in worms and even woodlice entering your pond from beneath the liner. They will drown, obviously, but they will also start to rot – and the smell will become noticeable over time. It’s also worth bearing in mind that rips and tears will be costing you in water – the tank will keep filling up to its maximum, even though it is trickling water out of the bottom.
Shade
Shade is vital for any garden water feature for a couple of reasons. First of all, if you want to encourage wildlife like newts and frogs into your pond, or want to keep fish, they will need somewhere to escape from the harsh heat of the sun. Secondly, algae growth is at its most voracious when the water is warm, and if you want to avoid a horrible, slimy, green surface to your water, it’s imperative to keep it cool. However, one thing to bear in mind is that you should never put a pond directly under tree branches. Falling leaves, twigs, and seeds will end up tainting the water.
Aeration
Any water feature needs to be aerated if you want to keep it clean and healthy. As discussed over at http://www.livingwateraeration.com/pond-aerator.html, there’s a broad range of different products to choose from, depending on your water feature type, depth of the pool, or wildlife requirements. If you don’t embrace aeration, you’ll find your water quality decreases, your fish will get ill, and alkaline levels will rise.
Placement
As long as your water feature enjoys some shade, you can pretty much place it anywhere in the garden. However, one important thing to remember is that you need to have space to maintain your pond or fountain. You will be surprised at how much room you need to look after your water feature, and working in small, cramped conditions could prove dangerous. Never forget that it is possible to drown in only a couple of inches of water, and a slip, trip, or fall by a water feature is a serious concern.
How much trouble does your water feature cause? Share your thoughts below – and join in with the conversation!
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