Designing a small pond for a city garden

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LOVELY water lilies, lotuses and other aquatic plants are now readily available from different garden centres. The best way to showcase such beauties is to have a pond in the garden. If you lack space, a mini pond might be the answer.

FLOATING BEAUTIES: Water lilies and other aquatic plants add another dimension to gardening.

Such a water feature can really be a wonderful addition to the garden. However, do realise that it still requires some discipline to maintain.

A mini pond can add much life to a balcony, roof garden or verandah. Combine it with various plants that can be raised in pots or containers. Old wooden barrels or troughs can also be useful.

Just remember that many water plants need good anchorage in a soil medium and this requires technique to house in a pond or the water will be murky and muddy.

You should also ensure that you have enough space for the type of plants you want to grow. For instance, you cannot grow giant water lilies in a small trough as there won’t be enough water surface for the floating leaves to spread out to get the sunlight necessary for photosynthesis.

The essential elements for designing, building, planting and maintaining a mini pond should be carefully considered. There are many types of garden design, from a minimalist city water garden, to a willow-pattern water garden, Japanese water garden, mountain water stream garden, castaway island garden, wildlife water garden, seaside garden, cottage-style garden, courtyard water garden and covered patio water garden.

All these various types have a common need water quality maintenance mechanism for oxygenation and filtration. Through good planning, a natural ecosystem can be created to ensure water quality once the equilibrium is attained.

For instance, pistia – floating duck weed – absorbs all nitrogenous waste from fish and nutrients from feed to keep the water clear. Water hyacinth can do such work too.

There are also several design guidelines to take into consideration.

Have high walls on the sides to create a private garden and a controlled environment. All minimalist city water gardens are based on geometrical forms such as rectangles, cylinders, angles and smooth surfaces where man-made forms are covered with restrained plantings. Skeletal planting using frangipani, dracaena and some small palms may work well too.

Render the walls and avoid having the uncovered brick look by using white or pastel colours such as blue or pale ochre.

Build a round or square pond that is set flush with the paving. This is important for the whole feature so that life can be maintained and interest can still be generated as time passes. Some day you may want to stock the pond with fish or other decorative features.

The mini pond itself can be raised above floor level so that no digging is necessary, especially for those living in flats or condominiums.

Use geometrical glazed containers for housing plants either in plain white, metal or glass. Place feature boulders that are round to offset the geometrical forms.

Another easy concept is to create a mini waterfall for the sound and sight of running water. This would require a pump suitable for the size or volume of falling water desired.

Remember that the area is for relaxing, chatting and reading. Avoid having rubbish bins or other distractions nearby. Ideally you should not have pets or children playing in the area either to avoid accidents.

Step by step

As you draw the design, it should take into consideration the style of the house or apartment itself and the boundaries, drains and large trees, if any, to be used or removed. The direction of the sun is also a useful tip for the location of the project.

Render all the side walls and give away unwanted plants.

Pave around the pond using square slabs or ceramic tiles. Bring in washed boulders and put heavy pieces in place, then move in the container with plants in place.

Care and maintenance

Above all, a minimalist garden needs to be kept clean. It is no place for keeping garden tools or litter. The body of water requires regular attention – remove dirt, floating leaves or other items. Pay attention to the filter system of the water pump – keep it clean and replace when necessary.

Algae can flourish under the sun and warm water. To reduce algae growth, watch out for nitrogenous waste or inputs. Check plants for pests and attend to the issue quickly.

If you have included fish, ensure that you feed them and also feed the plants when necessary. Remove spent flowers and deadheads.

To fertilise, embed the feed in the planting medium and ensure that the whole container is not exposed so as not to contaminate the pond water. A good layer of stones and gravel on top is compulsory.

Clever use of lighting can also be used to enable your mini pond to be enjoyed at night.

Happy gardening. Do send me an email for more details.