Fab Extras To Fit Your Outdoor Area
Many people have added fishponds to their garden these days, as water features have become more accessible for gardeners. In terms of the kind of thing that make great accessories for a fishpond, it depends on the purpose and setting of the water itself.
Choosing outdoor water features can therefore be a tricky process, and must be focused on the specific pond. Some people may require something to minimize the negative effects of wild animals on the water, or perhaps to keep intrusive growths of plants such as algae to a minimum.
Other people will be looking for something a little more flamboyant. Many gardeners who install ponds like to see some kind of water feature, a small fountain perhaps, or a cascading waterfall.
This kind of thing may be suitable for some ponds, but fishponds exist primarily to keep fish in, and water features may not fit with this kind of set-up. One thing that fish keepers always need though, is a handheld net with a long handle.
Nets can be used to remove weed and algae to help keep the water clean, and can also be used to remove the fish when it is necessary to do so for maintenance purposes.
Due to keeping fish in the water, many gardeners would prefer to keep interaction with wild animals to a minimum, and there are a number of electrified fences which can be used to keep wild animals away from the temptations of a well-stocked pond. They work by deterring animals with a small, and harmless, electrical shock.
This is an effective method of preventing predation of pond fish, but it can be dangerous for children and can seem a little harsh to many gardeners who like to see wild mammals and birds in their gardens. Often, a replica of a predator is used instead, such as heron, as these are territorial birds and may be fooled into thinking that another heron is already resident. Some experts refute this assertion though, claiming that it may actually encourage predators.
Of course, decorating a pond with some kind of sculpture or statue is a common practice. Natural looking rock sculptures can give the pond a rugged feel, especially if accompanied by suitable vegetation. Gnomes have been the choice of millions of gardeners over the years, and can still add a touch of kitsch humor or childish fun to a feature, especially if they are depicted as fishing.
Managing water temperature is another activity which is crucial to a pond's health. Fish should never be fed at temperatures below 10 degrees centigrade. In order to monitor this, a useful acquisition for any pond keeper is a floating thermometer. It is also useful to acquire a pH tester too, as keeping the acidity levels of the water at the right percentages is crucial to the health of a pond and everything living in it.
As with nay kind of garden project, it pays to plan and prepare a pond installation well. Choosing great accessories for a fishpond depends on careful evaluation of what the pond's purpose is, and it often pays to look round at other gardeners' fishponds to see what might work best.
Outdoor Living UK offers beautiful fishponds and accessories. Whether you're looking for outdoor water features or something else, have a browse through the extensive ranges
