Container Water Gardening - Something to Consider

Container water gardening can add life and color to any patio, veranda or deck. The only difference between a potted plant arrangement and aqua planter, is that the plants grow in water, not soil, within the container. It is too bad it seems container watergardening is not more popular than it is because it can create a very stunning ambiance.

Basically your imagination is the limit to the type of containers that can be used for these, 'portable' ponds. Barrels, troughs, sinks, Rubbermaid bin and urns are some examples of containers or basins that can be used in container water gardening. Essentially the only requirement is that the container holds water. If that is at all questionable there are some steps that can be taken to resolve the situation. An inexpensive piece of polyethylene or PVC liner can be used to line the inside of a container in question. The inside must be cleaned so as to not contaminate the water with any residue from the container. If a wood barrel is used coat the interior with a proprietary sealant.

The placement of these portable aqua planters is very dependent on your landscape plan and the specific outcome you want to create. Some containers will create a very unique ambiance because of their natural or unique beauty, but plastic bins or troughs should be disguised with other foliage or more appealing containers in the fore ground. A small pump or fountain can be inserted into the container to keep the water circulating and moving. If a number of containers are together the water can be pumped from one to the other. Water circulating is not required, however keeping it moving will decrease the mosquito hazards. Regardless, there must be sufficient oxygenating plants in the water to keep the water healthy and clear. Aside from the oxegenators you can use your imagination to fill the container with plant life. If you use a pump keep in mind that not all plants flourish in moving water. Make sure that you do not over crowd and give each species the space it requires. Choose aqua plants that can handle some temperature fluctuation as these containers are limited in size and the water temperature can fluctuate. Care must be given to keep the water at a temperature that your plants can flourish.

Consider livening up your sunroom, patio or landscape with the beauty and uniqueness of watergardening in a container.