![\"Quirky](\"http:\/\/www.theguidetogaygardening.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/The-Floating-Tap.jpg\")
<\/a>Quirky water sculptures bring fun to gardens<\/p><\/div>\n
I LOVE<\/strong> water in a garden, and really feel that no<\/em> space should be without it. As soon as you mention\u00a0the word water, people assume you need a great pond, but that’s not the case at all. In fact, with my current postage stamp garden, I simply have a thick plastic tub, little larger than a standard tub\u00a0trug. It’s buried into the earth so it’s flush with the surface, and is home to a flag iris, some oxygenating weed and a couple of fish….and the occasional frog. It works ideally as a drinking pool for passing birds and mammals, and though in a true wildlife pond you wouldn’t ordinarily keep fish, these two keep the mosquito larvae away. But even if you don’t want a pool, there are many water features you can install which don’t actually have any open water at all. For instance, you can have a fountain covered in rocks so you get the delicate trickling sound without constant maintenance other than checking the pump’s working. There are also large and ornate water statues to create the ‘wow<\/em>‘ factor in any garden and these can be used in small bodies of water.<\/p>\n Still, if you have a large enough space, then I for one (I don’t have kids and my dog can swim<\/em>), would always have an open pond. As well as a gardener, I’m also an avid animal lover; there’s two cats, a dog, a tank of tropical fish, pond fish, chickens, finches and a vivarium of poison dart frogs….and that’s in a two up, two down, middle of terrace in London! Even if you don’t keep fish, then ponds need an overhaul every five to 10 years depending on their size as silt, dead leaves and plant material collect on the bottom and gradually reduce your beautiful water to a muddy bog. At this time of year, even if it’s the least you do, I’d;<\/p>\n A well landscaped pond opens the possibility of new plants<\/p><\/div>\n If you’re looking for a little project (I know, ALL<\/strong> garden\u00a0extravagances\u00a0seem to start as LITTLE<\/strong> projects<\/em>), then think about bringing water into the garden. It adds another dimension, a layer of interest and creates an entire new world of plants and creatures to explore too.<\/a>\n
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