| To start a water garden there are a few things | | | | garden. A small container will accommodate |
| that are essential. You will need a container that | | | | guppies because they will tolerate various |
| will hold enough water to sustain your plants and | | | | temperatures. The benefit of guppies is that they |
| maybe some fish and at least six hours of sun | | | | eat mosquitoes who will be tempted by the |
| each day. | | | | water. If you are using a large container buy one |
| Not so long ago water gardening was restricted | | | | or two goldfish. Place some snails in your container |
| to ponds or large bodies of water. Even if you live | | | | garden to eat the decaying plant matter and fish |
| in an apartment you are able to have and enjoy a | | | | waste. They are kind of like the vacuum cleaner |
| water garden. Water gardening is different from | | | | of the water garden. |
| your normal gardens. They have different needs | | | | The snails will not be sufficient to keep your |
| but as long as you cater to these needs you will | | | | garden clean and fresh. In order to have a |
| be surprised at some of the places you can have | | | | successful water garden you must have some |
| a water garden. | | | | kind of fresh water supply. You must plan on how |
| To start a water garden you will need a large | | | | often and how easily the water garden can be |
| container that will hold 15 to 20 gallons of water. | | | | cleaned and stocked with fresh water. |
| You must also know how deep each plant needs | | | | Buy a small submersible pump to keep the water |
| to sit in the water. Find out from your local | | | | moving and avoid stagnation. Place the pump in a |
| nursery center how deep each plant needs to be | | | | nylon stocking before putting it in the water |
| placed in your container. You can also find this | | | | garden. The nylon will keep small particles from |
| information online. | | | | entering the pump and befouling it. This is a crucial |
| Be very careful of filling your container with tap | | | | step. If you have to fish out the pump to clean it |
| water. Many communities use chemicals in the | | | | out, it will foul the water. You may want to buy a |
| water system to make it potable. If there is high | | | | sprouting ornament and place it on the rime of |
| chlorine count in the water you use, it will probably | | | | the container. Attach it to the pump with rubber |
| kill your plants. If you are going to use tap water, | | | | tubing. This will add depth and texture to your |
| fill the container two days before you place any | | | | water garden. |
| plants in it so that the chlorine can burn off. | | | | If you follow these tips for your water garden |
| There are three basic kinds of plants for water | | | | you will have a successful and pretty project. For |
| gardening. There are plants that only grow above | | | | tips and techniques for small container water |
| the water line while others grow beneath the | | | | gardening see my article with that name. |
| surface of the water. And then there plants that | | | | Happy Gardening! |
| are called "floaters" because they seem to float | | | | Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights |
| on the surface. You will need to know the care | | | | Reserved. |
| and needs of the plants before you will know | | | | This article may be distributed freely on your |
| which varieties to plant. It will also depend on the | | | | website and in your ezines, as long as this entire |
| size of your container. | | | | article, copyright notice, links and the resource |
| Consider some fish or snails for your water | | | | box are unchanged. |