Gardening
Water wonderland
Phil Went (above), of Haslemere Garden Centre’s World of Water, offers some watery options based on his 15 years experience in the business (5 years at Haslemere)
W
ater is not only a precious resource but also offers
Types of pond include: formal, jug feature, raised, informal,
made from high-density
are three basics: feature pumps,
polyfibre and glass-fibre
general-purpose pumps, and
materials, to highly durable
solid handling pumps.
Indestructa ponds made by
Seek advice from the experts.
Bladons.
Don’t choose the pump until
Choose the liner to suit your
you have decided on all your requirements.
peace and tranquillity. That is
pebbled, and with one or more
budget and plan. Stainless steel
why many people choose to have
fountains and waterfalls. More
is popular at present.
a water feature in their garden.
ambitious ponds can take in
Features
sufficiently powerful.
bridges, stepping stones, jetties
Whether you want waterfalls,
Autumn and Winter
and summer houses.
cascades, or fountains, World of
tips for health
Water has a huge choice. They
• Reduce feed as water cools • Use netting to keep out
You can pay anything from less than £100 to tens of thousands of pounds. It all depends on your
One of the final stages of
Make sure the pump is
ambition and your pocket.
planning is to draw the garden
are realistic, durable and flexible.
Medium to large ponds, which
plan, with paths, trees, shrubs
Fountains made from drilled
leaves, which sink to the
have been fully planted, can cost
and features. Then, on tracing
monoliths are very popular, and
bottom and create sludge
from £15,000. For the annual
paper, overlay the proposed
can cost around £500; so the
Hampton Court Show, I create a
water garden.
pond with one monolith may
£40,000 water garden. But those
Planting
cost around £1,000. Most of the
• Treat with general tonic
are top of the range.
Plants improve the look and
stone is available from Lindsay
• When cold, use heater to keep
oxygenation of the pond; they
Clarke in Churt.
start or revamp your water
absorb excess nutrients and
Filtration
• Drain UV filters if not in use
feature.
carbon dioxide and they attract
Choose high-calibre filtration
Summary
Planning
wildlife. If you have fish, then
systems; the size of the pond
You will find huge choice, help
When planning your garden, you
choose the right plants for the
area will determine the cost of
and expertise if you visit the
need to consider the position,
size and positioning of the pond.
the system. Filters are important,
World of Water Aquatic Centre at
Here are some tips to help you
• Cut back plants and remove dead vegetation
an ice-free area
acting as the pond’s mini-sewage
Haslemere Garden Centre.
the pond where there is both sun
containers and compost. Aquatic
system, but they do not remove
Founded in 1984, World of Water
and shade, and in sheltered, frost
compost has slow release
the physical dirt and waste.
has 20 centres in the south,
free areas to help plant growth;
fertiliser.
There are millions of helpful
midlands and northwest.
size, shape, and depth. Position
away from overhanging trees, to minimise falling blossom and
You need to use the right
Then there are planting zones – for bog plants where the soil is
bacteria in the pond, and clear water does not mean healthy
Whatever your budget, we can advise you and kit you out with
leaves; and allowing sun for at
wet but not submerged; for
water. Buy the right filter which
the right water feature for your
least half the day.
marginal plants along the edge;
copes with the pond level.
garden, whether native or fish
Avoid placing the pond near to
for deep water plants, such as
Pumps
pond.
where there is a high water table,
lilies; and for floating species,
The pump is at the heart of the
or where water collects. Avoid
such as water chestnuts and
pond, enhancing its beauty with
Contact: Phil Went, Haslemere
making deep excavations near
water hyacinth.
ripples and light reflections, and
Garden Centre, Brook Road,
walls. And, if you need electricity,
Liners
keeping it healthy by circulating
(between Hashemite and
install this at the same time as
There are many types of water
and aerating the water. Out of
Goodling), GU8 5LB. 01428
the initial building project.
liners and pre-formed ponds,
the many different types, there
682913. www.worldofwater.com
30