Starting with a Water Garden
Copyright 2006 Richard Keir
Gardening is one of our primordial fascinations.
For thousands of years humans have gardened and for most of that time a major part of our diet came out of our gardens.
As we became better at feeding ourselves, we also gained the time to indulge in activities that weren't directly linked to our very survival.
Flowers, ornamental shrubs, decorative trees all became a part of gardening for beauty and pleasure.
Water is a source of life. We are actually composed of 50 to 70 percent water and without water we can die in hours or a few days - far faster than from lack of food.
Throughout history, water has been a necessity, even a source of warfare.
We find comfort in sights and sounds associated with water, whether the source is the sea, a lake, river, stream or pond. I believe that the sense of comfort and relaxation most of us feel around water is deeply embedded in our being.
Water gardens of various kinds have a long history.
From elaborate fountains with statuary to the simplest aquarium (yes, I include aquariums as a form of water garden despite the usual focus on the critters rather than the overall concept), water gardening is an ancient activity.
Currently, water gardening is considered a new trend for some reason. I'd guess this has to do partly with advances in technology, the widening availability of pre-constructed ponds and pumping systems, a growing awareness of the alternative forms gardens can take, and the fact that presenting something as new and trendy often improves sales.
Water gardening can be done using waterfalls and streams, ponds, fountains, and containers of various kinds some of which are as simple as a small indoor fountain with a recycling pump.
The variety goes on and on and most can be further enhanced through using rock work combinations, various types of lighting both above and below the water surface (or behind a waterfall), plants, and, of course, fish or other water dwellers.
Water gardening doesn't require a pond or natural water source either. It can consist of just a plastic tub, basically anything that can hold water. Many garden supply outlets can provide anything from the most basic setup to incredibly sophisticated water gardens consisting of waterfalls, pools and streams (with or without bridges).
The very first thing to consider is your budget since that will place some limits on how ambitious a project you can undertake.
Water gardening can get expensive if you decide on a big garden full of plants, rocks, fish, and lights. Next you need to consider how much space you have available for a water garden.
You probably won't want a 15 foot waterfall with a 200 foot stream and a half acre pond in a suburban backyard.
Be reasonable in what you choose as a first project, but also keep in mind the possibility of extending your water garden later. Size also affects the amount of maintenance your water garden will require.
If you plan to include fish and plants, you'll want to choose a location with sufficient direct sunlight. Remember that if the garden is located close to trees and bushes, leaves and debris will end up in the water and need to be cleaned out regularly.
When you choose aquatic plants, don't forget that the plants should, at most,
cover about half of the water.
Plants can be free floating, submerged, or marginal (near or at the edges).
The types you choose are up to you. Some may be good for their scent, some are simply beautiful, and some plants provide more oxygen than others which helps keep the pool healthy. As well as being pleasant to watch, fish will assist in keeping debris to a minimum and in insect control.
Algae can be a major difficulty in water gardening.
Most frequently, the problem results from having too many nutrients in the water either from fish food or plant fertilizer.
Proper construction, feeding and fertilizing will keep algae to a minimum.
Chemicals can be used to reduce algae but they can also kill fish and plants.
Like everything else, garden pools need to be maintained throughout the year. And it really doesn't matter what size they are, even small ones will need care. However, with proper planning you can balance the living and decorative features of a water garden both to simplify and minimize your maintenance tasks.
You can eliminate algae through reducing the nutrients that cause algal growth by cutting back on feeding and fertilizing, adding more plants, putting in a filter system, or replacing existing water with fresh water.
Chemicals are generally not recommended since overuse can kill.
An intriguing new method of algae control is through the use of ultrasonic waves.
The use of ultrasound to destroy algae can be traced back to the early experiments with sonar for detecting submarines when it was discovered that some micro organisms were destroyed by ultrasonic waves.
Transducers developed to control algae will not harm humans, animals, fish or aquatic plants. (They can also be used for swimming pools).
If your garden lacks a natural continuous water supply, you have a situation much like an aquarium. You will need to monitor both water quality and water level. Keep in mind that in many locations, tap water contains chlorine and a large amount should not be directly added to water containing fish (and some plants). Allowing tap water to stand in an open container for at least 24 hours will normally eliminate the problem.
Closed systems will require added water as the surface water evaporates. A large water garden that relies on tap water and which contains fish and plants, should probably have small quantities of water added daily. For water gardens without circulating, aerated, or filtered water, maintaining water quality may be more difficult.
Still, water gardening really doesn't take any more time than regular gardening and could well take less time once you have it set up and have your maintenance tasks well organized.
It is different, however, so while you may not be able to grow anything but weeds in dirt, you might be superb at water gardening.
As a hobby and a way to beautify your landscape, water gardening is excellent.
And there's nothing quite like the sound and sight of water to calm and relax you after the stresses of modern life.
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The Poop On Colonics
Taking care of the colon seems to be a popular trend in health these days. While many in the medical and alternative medicine fields are saying that most disease and illness starts in the colon, there has been a huge demand for information on how to clean and care for this vital organ.The job of the colon is to absorb water and minerals as well as eliminate the waste or feces that is no longer needed by the body. Some say that a healthy colon will produce 2 or 3 bowel movements a day, shortly after eating. Unfortunately many people do not take proper care of their colons and suffer constipation and illness.Colon hydrotherapy is becoming a popular way to clean out the colon so that it can function properly. A series of colon cleanses can remove encrusted fecal matter that has been sitting around in your colon for years as well as parasites that can hinder digestion and absorption of minerals.If you plan to add colonics to your health routine, you should make sure that you see a therapist...
The Poop On Colonics
Water > The Poop On Colonics
Maximize Your Waterfall Flow With The Master DW Waterfall Pump
A common mistake that beginner water gardeners often make is that they fail to take the height and width of their waterfall into consideration, when they purchase a waterfall pump.
Because of this, it is quite common for water gardeners to underestimate the size of the pump required for their pond.Calculating the proper pump for waterfalls can be tricky, because waterfall pumps are rated by both GPH and maximum waterfall height.
To estimate your waterfall's height, you must measure the vertical height from the top of your pump to the top of your waterfall or stream.
In addition, you must add another foot of height or lift for every 10 feet of hosing you will be using (this will allow for loss of volume from resistance within the hose).
To calculate the required pump GPH, a general rule of thumb is that each inch of width of the channel will require an extra 100 GPH.
For example, if your stream or waterfall spillway will be 10 inches wide, you...
Maximize Your Waterfall Flow With The Master DW Waterfall Pump
Water > Maximize Your Waterfall Flow With The Master DW Waterfall Pump
Diets
You should use the natural dieting methods to lose weight. Stick to fiber-based diet programs. The only secret that the diet foods industry uses is to advertise quick dieting solutions. Such foods in fact only add to your weight rather than reducing it. The diet foods are mostly artificial, whereas you would require eating more natural foods.
Such diets that promise results in no time always fail.
You need to begin your diet by eating fresh fruits and vegetables, which are really the proper dieting foods. Instead of completely stopping your intake of foods, you should eat everything in moderation. In fact, when you completely stop eating, it adds to more weight.
Dieting foods have side-effects such as digestion problems or other related problems in the long run. Drinking plenty of water helps reduce lots of weight.
You should drink at least 5 to 6 glasses of water early in the morning. Water purifies your system and dissolves the fat in your body.
Water > Diets
Ford, GM & Car-Gate Ultrasound Arch System Focus on Bottom Line
NASHVILLE, TN (ContentDesk) February 2, 2006 -- On a hill overlooking Music City, a remarkable pair of Tennessee brothers have quietly devised a solution to one of the Motor Citys oldest and more expensive testing problems.Its the Car-Gate Ultrasound Arch System, a technology which could save the automotive industry billions of dollars each year. The Car-Gate Arch is the latest innovation from Gayle Technologies founder, Jimmy Gayle, who has been providing the automotive and racing industries with technical solutions for more than 20 years.The development of the Car-Gate Ultrasound Arch was born from the need for automobile manufacturers to find new ways to test their vehicles for wind and water leaks often found in window, trunk and door seals. The problem is that the current test for finding these leaks causes damage to the car and trucks they test.Currently, billions of dollars in damages are caused each year to automobile inventories by the use of what automakers call a water...
Ford, GM & Car-Gate Ultrasound Arch System Focus on Bottom Line
Water > Ford, GM & Car-Gate Ultrasound Arch System Focus on Bottom Line
Diets
You should use the natural dieting methods to lose weight. Stick to fiber-based diet programs. The only secret that the diet foods industry uses is to advertise quick dieting solutions. Such foods in fact only add to your weight rather than reducing it. The diet foods are mostly artificial, whereas you would require eating more natural foods.
Such diets that promise results in no time always fail.
You need to begin your diet by eating fresh fruits and vegetables, which are really the proper dieting foods. Instead of completely stopping your intake of foods, you should eat everything in moderation. In fact, when you completely stop eating, it adds to more weight.
Dieting foods have side-effects such as digestion problems or other related problems in the long run. Drinking plenty of water helps reduce lots of weight.
You should drink at least 5 to 6 glasses of water early in the morning. Water purifies your system and dissolves the fat in your body.
Water > Diets
Wildlife in Winter Ponds
This may seem contradictory, but you want to leave a little bit of debris in the pond when preparing it for winter. Some water gardeners net out the fish, completely drain the water and scrub out the pond, refilling it with fresh water. Frogs, tadpoles, snails and microscopic pond life need to burrow down into mud and leaves to survive the winter. Fish also hibernate on the bottom, settling in around a bed of leaves and mud. I remove about 90% of the leaves and silt that have accumulated over the summer.
Leave the rest as "bedding material." You'll be amazed at the diversity of pond life that emerges in spring. Keep in mind that tree leaves will continually blow into the pond as long as the water isn't frozen. I recommend covering the pond with bird netting. This black plastic netting is almost invisible and prevents tree leaves and debris from getting into the pond..
Brett Fogle is the owner of MacArthur Water Gardens and several pond-related websites including Wildlife in Winter Ponds
Water > Wildlife in Winter Ponds