Water gardens can provide a year-round oasis that delights the senses and attracts wildlife.

One of the more popular outdoor home improvement projects is installing a water garden. The quiet burbling of water can soothe even the swarthiest customer and diminish street noise, while creating a memorable wildlife habitat.

Conventional wisdom suggests that if your water garden has a waterfall, you should be able to hear it. So, place it in a location where you can hear it, even if you’re in your home.

For fish, koi and goldfish are the two most popular choices. Keep in mind that koi devour certain kinds of plants, so if you choose to keep water plants (and not offer them as a snack to your koi), be sure to determine what works in your area.

Speaking of aquatic plants, there are some differences between those that are commonly used:

• Floating plants float freely on the water surface
• The leaves of surface plants float on the water’s surface and their roots remain in the soil
• Leaves of submerged or oxygenating plants remain underwater
• Marginal or bog plants prefer both their roots and lower parts submerged

If you’re interested in adding fountain or waterfall, Little Giant is one of the better-known manufacturers of pumps and other equipment you might need to safely round out your backyard water garden.

Even though water gardens create a sanctuary of natural tranquility, you’ll still want to follow any local building restrictions, especially the need for any permit.

Because a water garden’s pumps and filters are outdoors and constantly subjected to the elements, have your contractor on speed dial. The reason? Water gardens require maintenance.

Typically, homeowners install a water garden to appreciate the sound of a waterfall, raise fish or enjoy aquatic plant life.

As much as you can, avoid installing one directly beneath a tree. Leaves will decay in the water and could harm fish and plants, not to mention clog pumps and filters.

As always, seek expert advice from a local water garden center, landscaper or qualified contractor if you’re unsure about anything water garden-related. The last thing you need is a nightmare of a clean up on your hands, especially if your installation is more ambitious and a disaster could have been avoided.

Because of all they have to offer, the demand for water gardens is at a fever pitch. Installing one is not only a great investment but can also be a soothing addition to any home’s backyard space.

Until next time, Happy Home Improving!

Popularity: 5%