How to Make a Water Garden

Last Updated: March 29, 2019

You can add ambiance to your yard if you learn how to make a water garden. They are great additions to a backyard for the barbecue season when you have friends and family over. Whether your water garden is small or large, has only plants or is home to some fish, a water garden can be a soothing visual experience.

Steps

1
Do some research as to what kind of water garden you are interested in installing. They can be small to large and encompass not only plants but fish and fountains as well. Research the different types of plants you want to consider.
2
Search for the right location where your water garden will thrive.
- Locate an area that has full sunlight or at least 5 hours of direct sunlight. Your plants will grow better with a lot of sun and the sun will help keep the water clean.
- Find a spot that is wide open and does not have trees. Trees will provide unwanted shade and you will have to continuously clean leaves and tree debris out of the garden.
- Build or place your water garden on level ground. You can add hills and varying heights when you put the water garden together.
- Use an area that has convenient access to electrical connections and fresh water.
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3
Determine the size of your water garden.
- Choose a small water garden if you are not sure where to locate it. When it is small enough, it can be moved from site to site until you find the right place. Small water gardens are also good if you do not have a lot of space.
- Use a large water garden if you want to have a lot of plants, fish or a fountain.
4
Choose a container and liner for your water garden.
- Pick a container for your small water garden, such as a wooden barrel or tub. Line the barrel with plastic or the rotting wood may damage your plants.
- If you want a large water garden, choose the appropriate lining. Your water garden liner can be concrete, brick, clay, plastic, butyl rubber or fiberglass – it depends on the type of weather you get and which you prefer. Liners can be either rigid or flexible.
5
Decide if you want accessories for your garden, such as a pump, filter or lights. Fountains and waterfalls generally require a pump and filter.
6
Dig a hole if you are going with the large water garden.
- For a flexible liner and different types of plants, create your hole to be shallow at one end and then have it gradually deepen. The depth depends on whether you want fish, if you have freezing winters and what kinds of plants you wish to plant.
- For a rigid liner, dig the hole large enough to insert the container.
7
Clear the hole of any debris that can puncture the lining, such as rocks, roots and sticks.
8
Pour builder's sand into the bottom of the hole, about 1 inch (2.5 cm).
9
Place the liner in the hole.
- If you are using a flexible liner, start at the center and lay it outwards.
- If you are using a rigid liner, place the container in the hole and back fill dirt around it to keep it in place.
10
Fill the hole with water. Smooth out the flexible liner as you pour the water in.
11
Decorate the edge of the water garden with rocks, stones or slabs for a natural look.
12
Add plants. Choose between floating, submerged or edge plants. Each type of plant will give you a different look for your garden.

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Community Q&A

Question

Are water gardens safe for frogs to live in?

Community Answer

Most of the time they are. Just make sure that you don't use any pesticides or herbicides, and make sure to dechlorinate the water.
Question

What does a water garden do?

Donagan

Top Answerer

They don't do anything except look pretty. Water gardens are mainly decorative, though they can provide habitat for fish, water fowl and other wildlife.

Warnings

Do not build the water garden in a low lying area as it may be victim to runoff.

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Small water gardens will freeze during winter months if you live in a climate that gets frost.

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