CALGARY DIY TRENDS
At Greengate Garden Centres, Waldner guides Calgary homeowners considering adding the water feature to their backyards. “Water gardens aren’t difficult and they don’t take a lot of time,” he says. Popular Greengate sellers are the pond and pondless kits which include everything you need to build your own water garden. These days, though Waldner assists more “regulars”, Calgarians who already have water gardens and seek further knowledge on planting and landscaping. For an eight-foot-by-11-foot pond, he estimates

DIY homeowners should budget $2,000 including $1,000 for rock plus $150 to 200 per year for plants.

What’s trendy in Calgary water gardens this year? “A lot of bright colours, yellowing flowers that really stand out,” says Waldner. He recommends hardy water lilies, marginals like cattail, fedge grasses, water irises, marsh marigolds, water hyacinth and water lettuce.

In Calgary’s challenging climate, he suggests fewer tropical plants and flowers as they last only until the first frost and will not bloom as much as the hardier varieties. The city’s water garden high season runs from early May, when Greengate Gardens holds their “Build a Pond” day, until first frost although many of the hardy plants will winter in their ponds.

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL
Babbling Brooks Ponds & Waterfalls, a Certified Aquascape Contractor (CAC), has emerged as one of Calgary’s largest pond specialist companies. New Zealand native Will Wilson founded the company after many years of building beautiful water features. “At Babbling Brooks, we take all the guesswork out of planting in and around the pond,” says Wilson. “We understand how to plant certain types of aquatic plants and how they will appear in five to ten years.”

At an initial consultation with new clients, Babbling Brooks certified contractors discuss what type of water feature best suits their needs. They give the client literature (photos, references and pond information), an information DVD and a graphic sketch of the proposed water feature. “We will help you imagine your future water feature and all the possibilities you can explore,” says Wilson. “You will have every opportunity to ask questions, and really get involved with the entire planning process.”

Next, the plans are finalized and Babbling Brooks sends clients a quote and contacts city locators to mark out underground pipes. A day or so later, contractors start the project, marking out exactly how the stream will twist and turn, where the bridge will be placed and the layout of the pond.

After the pond is built, they conduct a water test and add required water treatments. Then they introduce Koi (fish) into the pond so they can acclimatize to the pond’s water temperature. “Your happiness is extremely important to us. We want you to get years of enjoyment out of your water feature and will go to great lengths to ensure that your experience is nothing but extraordinary,” says Wilson.

“With all the new land development going on around us, we do not often see the impact it has on the environment,” he says. “We want to bring nature back to our communities. Environmentally friendly and completely customized water features can be installed anywhere.” NL

TIPS FROM EXPERTS
What should you consider when creating your water garden?

Build it close to where you entertain.
A lot of homeowners place the water garden at the back of the yard by the fence, says Waldner.  Rather, situate the water garden close to where you entertain, near your patio or deck, so you and your guests can enjoy it.

Choose flat surfaces. 
Surprisingly, some Calgary homeowners have planned their water gardens on hill bottoms.  Avoid rain and fertilizer run-off, advises Waldner, by ensuring the water garden is on a flat surface.

Cover the water by one-third and shade well.
For algae control in the water garden, Waldner suggests covering the water at least one-third with floater plants.

Lighten up.
Waldner says lighting has become trendier in Calgary water gardens.  Waterfall or small spotlights can be an attractive feature that creates a “wow factor.”

Add colour and interest. 
Diverse plants create colour and interest in your water garden, says Wilson.  “They will reduce algae by shading the water, reducing evaporation, and releasing oxygen, which is used by fish,” he says.

Consider the plants. 
Consider the plants.  You should carefully consider what plants go into your pond. Wilson explains “you don’t want your pond to be taken over by invasive plants that will multiply and eventually choke out other plant life.”

Educate yourself.   
Take time and learn as much as you can about water gardens, says Waldner.  Check out websites, read, consult professionals or take a course.

On the Web
>> http://www.babblingbrooks.ca
>> http://www.anandalandscapes.com
>> http://www.fiddlersgreeninc.com
>> http://www.absolutedreamscapes.com
>> http://www.aquascapes.com
>> http://www.greengate.ca