Another simple water feature is the container water garden. The container water garden is a liberating idea: you can have a "pond" without digging a huge hole in either your yard or your pocket! This is especially helpful if you have very limited space or have very rocky ground, or if you move often and don't want to make a big investment in your current location.
Water gardening supply houses sell various containers for this purpose, or you can improvise. Just be sure the container is very clean and doesn't leak. I have seen container water gardens in whiskey barrels, large pottery crocks, old wash tubs, claw-footed bath tubs, and even in both the galvanized and rubber tanks originally used as farm watering troughs. Over the past eight years or so I have used a number of these to put little water gardens near doorways or in other special spots. They are a great way to jazz up a tiny patio by the way! (You can add a fountain, too, but more about that next!).
The larger the "pond", the more choices you have in terms of what to put in it. Generally you can select from among the smaller of the submerged and floating plants, dwarf water lilies and an assortment of bog and marginal plants. You can even add a goldfish or two.
Still dubious? Here are some links to folks who have done this. The Half Barrel Pond Page and the Fish In A Barrel Pond are worth a look. If you are beginning to wonder just how small a space you can get away with to make a pond, you might visit The Very Small Pond or The Large Puddle . If you are beginning to be convinced, you could try A Small Change Garden Pond for more down to earth advice.
If you would rather not rely on birds or fish or plants to provide all the action in your water features, you can create your own show by adding a small submersible pump to whatever container you are using. Then your passive container moves into the realm of being a fountain! But I'm saving that for next week.
editors note June 2000: New (June 2000) articles on easy, simple water gardening you might also enjoy Fountains You Can Make and Quick and Easy Mini Pond.
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