Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles with Imparead. Some words can be pronounced wrong.
Enter “Backyard Water Feature” in your internet browser and find a variety of resources to create or buy a water function. Everything, from outdoor fountains to ponds to small waterfalls to hang on their patio wall – the sky is the border!
The National Gardening Association estimates that 15% of US households have an outdoor water. The water garden category is one of the fastest growing garden areas. People love the sound of running water and the attractiveness of water.
Which wild animals will use my water function?
Just like we, birds, butterflies, frogs, dragonflies – everyone also needs water. Installing water is a win-win situation for us and wild animals.
Birds feel attracted to flowing water so that moving water in your garden helps to find the water source. Many wild animals such as dragonflies and amphibians such as frogs and toads are dependent on water for part of their life cycle and can use a permanent garden water feature.
There are many advantages when adding a back yard water function, but there are a few things to consider if you decide whether you want to join the trend.
What about mosquitoes?
Water features can be effective all year round, but mosquitoes can be a problem in the warmer months. Standing water leads to mosquitoes.
An egg stored in water can be grown up in just four days under certain weather conditions. In order to avoid a horde of mosquitoes, it is a good idea to completely change this water at least weekly.
In larger ponds, in which you cannot just tip it over and throwing out the water, mosquitoes can be a bigger problem. There are chemicals that you can use, or you can use various “natural” controls such as B. try it out. Add a pump or a well to keep the water in motion, add fish or to make habitats attractive for frogs, dragonflies and other water insects that eat mosquitoes.
Or you can abolish the standing water together and create a pond stream
Fountain and kits
Fountain and kits are available in most branches for do -it -yourselfers and relatively easy to install. The most common are pre -shaped pond inserts, which are available in different sizes and shapes.
They dig a hole that is slightly larger than the shape, the sand under and around it to correspond to the shape of the use, and then fill it with water. Some come with a fountain that sprays water to keep it in motion.
The advantage of this system is that it is easy to wait and install yourself.
The disadvantage is that it is often relatively small and can be overlooked in a larger courtyard.
Ponds
If you want something bigger, you can build your own backyard pond. Dine a hole in the desired size and shape, align it with a heavy plastic or rubber liner and fill it up.