 Low-Maintenance Water Gardens by Helen Nash
Imagine having your own water garden, complete with beautifully landscaped pond and year- round plantings--maybe lilies or lotuses--and stocked with colorful fish, along with some friendly frogs, turtles, and snails.
These simple plans show how to create a water garden specially constructed for low maintenance. The important thing is to plan ahead. There are chapters on correct siting; preventing problems related to tree roots, runoff, and water tables; choosing materials that resist punctures and leaks; making sure the garden is level, to prevent spilling and flooding, and accessible for easy repair. Next come sections on filtration to keep the water clear, and selection of low-maintenance plant and aquatic life for long-term ecological balance. See how to control both plants and animals to keep them stress-free and disease-free, and how not to overload the ammonia and nitrite levels, and learn low-maintenance ways to adapt to the season and the weather, watch for problems in all areas and solve them before they become time-consuming and expensive. |
