BATHTUB GARDENS

Top 2. Feb 19, 1999 6:07 PM

» Diana_Pederson - Hi

Hi:

I am eager to see how yours turn out this summer. Please consider sending me a picture to post as a follow-up to that article.

-- posted by Diana_Pederson

Top 3. Feb 19, 1999 11:23 PM

» Jojo - I've got a few planted bathtubs in my garden.

I've got a few planted bathtubs in my garden. Drainage can be a real problem. The single hole at the bottom of a tub must be kept clear, and a few inches of gravel at the bottom is a good idea too.

With the very wet weather we get here this is absolutely essential! In other areas this might not be the case.

There is one tub here that was planted with a small contorted hazel (Harry Lauder's Walking Stick) about 10 years ago. The tub is very old-fashioned, made of concrete, and the hazel is now a perfect specimen, with bergenia and ferns underneath. It seems like the soil has become exhausted, and is very full of roots. The hazel is just beginning to suffer. This summer I will need to root-prune and replace some of the soil.

Good luck with your tubs!

-- posted by Jojo

Top 4. Oct 14, 2001 9:53 PM

» mdponce92 - Tub fish/algae

Hi there:

I recently converted my great grandmother's antique claw footed tub in to a water garden in my yard. I have it upright, in a sunny location , with lots of plants around it, and a nice fountain pump. My question is, I find it difficult to clean sometimes--the algae makes it difficult to see the fish. I wipe it out, but it seems to swish it around too much. Any suggestions?

Also, I have two comets in there that are doing very well. I had a plectostomus, but it died--any suggestions for an algae eating aquatic animal that does well ina bathtub garden? Should I try snails? But they will eat my plants, right?

Thanks! Denise

-- posted by mdponce92

Top 5. Oct 16, 2001 4:03 PM

» Cottage_Garden - Re: Tub fish/algae

In response to message posted by mdponce92:

I have several above ground ponds in stock tanks and a bathtub waiting to be located and filled for some form of a garden.

In any water garden you need to strike a good balance, meaning the right mix of fish and plants, to make an ecosystem that really works.

The fish wastes provide fertilizer for the plants. The underwater oxygenator plants provide aeration for the fish, safety for baby fish, and use some of the nutrients. Bog plants use nutrients. Surface-covering plants such as lilies will use nutrients and perhaps more importantly, also shade the water. The shade helps starve out that underwater algae, as do the other plants using up excess nutrients.

Feeding the fish too much, and/or overstocking with too many fish, can both contribute to excess algae.

Sometimes, actually often, a newly filled pond will turn scummy at first while the plants are becoming established. Once the balance is reached then the water clears on its own. Sometimes even a well balanced pond will turn murky for a while in the spring when temperatures are changing and the plants are only just beginning to grow. All you can do is make sure you have used adequate plants and then be patient.

Hope this helps.

-- posted by Cottage_Garden

Top 6. Oct 16, 2001 4:06 PM

» Cottage_Garden - Re: I've got a few planted bathtubs in my garden.

In response to message posted by Jojo:
I am wondering if some filter fabric or possibly permeable weed matting fabric would help keep the soil from slipping down into the gravel?

Also, I am wondering if this would stay wet enough to grow some wet soil lovers or those marginals that will do in shallow water to wet soil? I am thinking of Japanese iris among others.

What do you think? Anyone tried it and with what plants??? TIA

-- posted by Cottage_Garden