WATER GARDENING
By Trey Pitsenberger, co-owner Golden Gecko

Water Gardening is currently experiencing an upsurge of popularity and interest. Water gardening has been going on for centuries. Water features became centers for community life and enhanced the gardens of the rich and powerful. In the Far East, water assumed symbolic significance in the private garden of the philosopher. The decorative possibilities of combining water and plants and ornamental materials were explored in even greater depth. Because it can add such an atmosphere and visual beauty, water has had a profound influence on the development of garden design. It is interesting to discover just how central the use of water features is to gardens worldwide at all times in history.

The current upsurge of interest, I believe, is due to the ease that water features can be installed. With modern materials such as flexible rubber liner, small efficient pumps and modern filtration, you no longer have to hire someone to install a pond or water feature. In the past, concrete was the material of choice for pond construction. Needless to say, most of us have poor concrete construction technique and the hiring a mason was almost a must. With the new pre-formed ponds or flexible rubber liner you don’t have to use concrete, which takes the pressure off the homeowner to work quickly before the concrete hardens. Pumps are smaller and more reliable and can be installed submerged or outside the pond. Keeping the pond clean has become much easier with the introduction of a biological filter. The filter can be attached directly to the pump and submerged in the pond. Using helpful bacteria inside the filter, the water is kept crystal clear.

The Golden Gecko Garden Center has the experience and the materials necessary to make your water feature a wonderful part of your private garden.