Garden Water Features, Backyard landscaping ideas

Garden water features is the solution for those who live in big cities, with the landscapers resources that exist today, you can design small ponds to raise fish, plant species grown in the backyard. It is important to note the differences: water features is sheets of artificial water. They are used to provide increasing air humidity in environment both indoor and outdoor.

Furthermore, increase the brightness of the place where they are installed according to their capacity for reflection, since the ponds are mirrors of water alive. They are natural water reservoirs which settle an ecosystem of its own, with algae, bacteria, fish and other animals.

According to Feng Shui, water represents wealth and prosperity. Its representation must stand in front of the house, to attract good energy. Even those who do not follow the principles of ancient Chinese art believe in the need of water included in landscaping projects.

The representation of water has several functions in a garden. It makes the microclimate, encouraging the cultivation of plants and promotes the development of frogs, fish, insects and birds to create an ecosystem balance. Often, ponds or water features have function to create a distance between the observer and the garden.

For those who want to include water features in the garden, must first consult a landscape architect or agronomist engineer. The success of construction is in the careful planning.

First we must choose the place where it will be implemented and set the size of the pond. Then it’s time to dig and waterproof the ground to put the water tank, which may be masonry or plastic. Then it will be done with hydraulic installation and pumps and filters. It is essential that the whole process run by a professional because only them who can complete it accurately. The last phase is to provide the placement of lighting and other accessories, such as planting of species and adaptation of the fish.

There are numerous shapes and styles of water features. According to most Architect of Green Landscaping, everything depends on the customer’s request, you can use more formal lines – straight and classical – or geometric shapes, plus you can make it up with water rapids.

Garden water features can serve as breeding grounds for many types of fish, such as carp, goldfish and paradise fish, but carp is the species that mostly used, the beauty of its color and ease of creation. Although it may seem easy, it takes great care in choosing the fish. The decision must take into account the species that are better suited to the climate where they will be created. Consider the minimum temperature necessary for the survival of the chosen type of fish. Besides beauty, the fishes eat larva, preventing the development of insects.

Furthermore, do not overdo the quantity. The number of fish is calculated according to the volume of water. Overpopulation affects the ecosystem and can bring unbalance to the pond. Most important thing is to always control the pH of the water, temperature and oxygenation.

As for plants, the recommendation is to choice the plants by species that resistant to flood. May be completely or partially submerged, their roots will be able to pick up oxygen. To finish the project, as well as submerged plants and floating, it is interesting to deploy the marginal water plants.

Pumps and filters are essential equipment for the proper functioning of a water surface. The pump promotes the circulation of the water and prevents the proliferation of mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti, which causes dengue.

As for filters, use the biological systems in which bacteria do the cleaning work, also possible to use swimming pool filters with chlorine-based control and algicides, the last option and more difficult is the periodic water exchanges, removing the plants and fishes so the bottom and walls can be washed.

Accessories, besides highlighting the construction, promoting sounds and sensations, the garden water features accessories also serve to make the water features is unique. Included in this category are fountains, decks, waterfalls, bridges, sculptures, exterior lighting and underwater lighting, resting places and even fishing spots. It is important to meet our needs in relation to different types of noise. Other factors are the humidity, the climate and the playful. The decision to include these elements is dependent on our own, the style, terrain, and the materials used. In uneven terrains, waterfalls are perfect. Back in the courtyard, the fountain would probably be the most suitable.

 Water Plants For Garden Water Features

Submerged plants are responsible for oxygenating and maintaining clean water. They emit carbon dioxide at night, it is necessary to incorporate a source or pump to oxygenate the tank. The species most used for this purpose are coon’s tail (Ceratophyllum demersum), curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) and Willow moss (Fontinalis antipyretica).

Floating plants, they also fulfill its function to keep the water clean, because they block part of the incidence of sunlight, preventing the proliferation of algae. Because they have rapid growth, is essential to maintenance. In this category are Common Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) and water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) and various types of water lilies such as European White Waterlily (Nymphaea alba), Blue Waterlily (Nymphaea caerulea) and Red Waterlily (Nymphaea rubra), besides the Sacred Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) and the lilypad (Victoria amazonica).

Marginal water plants, creates a very natural effect when planted next to ponds or water features. The classic examples are the papyrus (Cyperus giganteus), umbrellas, Chinese (Cyperus alternifolius), glasses-nursing (Zantedeschia aethiopica), iris (Iris sp), ajuga (Ajuga reptans) and hemerocalis (Hemerocalis fulva).

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Backyard Landscaping Ideas, Garden Water Features, Water Features

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