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 Pond Waterfalls And Other Moving Water

6/26/2012

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When considering having moving water in their garden, pond waterfalls are usually on peoples list.

In my opinion if theres anything in the wildlife garden that seems to bring the countryside to our urban doorstep it's pond waterfalls. This thought is strengthened by the fact as mentioned previously we neglected to include a waterfall when we created two garden ponds in our garden which is odd because we do enjoy the sound of water.

So have we got moving water in our garden now?   Yes we have.

We acheived this with a homemade bird bath fountain and it does add to the calm of our garden in it's urban setting. Until recently we mistakenly thought that bird's only used it when the fountain was not working. Then we observed a Blackbird not only bathing but also showering under the trickling water from the fountain.

Where a garden water feature such as a bird bath fountain is going to be sited will to some extent be determined by how the fountain will be supplied with water and it's power supply. A solar powered type that recirculates water from an integral water tank can be situated wherever we choose keeping in mind to avoid any hidden area's that predators might take advantage of. A periodic change of water along with a good clean will ensure it remains healthy for the birds.

We tend to give our bird baths a good blasting with the hose pipe two or three times a week, usually when we are making sure the plants don't die of thirst.

A garden fountain as a feature by itself is an option worth considering, especially if it can be sited on the pond so that the water can be drawn from it and recirculated back. Not only will it be an attractive feature, it will also help keep the pond oxygenated, which avoids any problems we might experience with allowing water to remain stagnant.

As corny as it might sound, whether we be traditional or more contempory in style there is a garden fountain out there that will be just right for our garden.

A gardening concept that seems to be taking hold is the fact that a wildlife friendly garden can be modern. So here's a situation where the proof of the pudding is in the eating. The fact is that the three basic things that will attract local wildlife, Food, Water and Shelter can be provided in a modern garden just as well as can be in a more traditional style garden. The Urban fox along with countless other creatures make it clear that they are not style conscious, habitat conscious yes, but even where this is concerned they do have a remarkable ability to adapt and survive. They just need a foothold and a helping hand.

The type or style of garden we choose to have says more about us than whats in it. 

 Using a modern garden fountain as a centre piece or combined with a contempory styled pond will attract wildlife. Any nectar rich plants used will also play their part in a modern garden in attracting insects and butterflies. A herb garden that spirals or fans out from a modern garden fountain is one good example of how this is the case.

And with the hard landscape and raised bed materials available to the wildlife gardener nowadays, along with the stylish garden containers we can create our own modern garden space that can be shared with the wildlife around us.

Within a modern garden there are so many ways that we can accommodate not only our own needs but those of wildlife. Using a water feature such as a modern garden fountain will provide the calming element of moving water. Which has got to be a big plus for us in this hectic world we live in.  And the wildlife won't mind it either.

Another option that can be used both in the modern or the traditional garden is pondless waterfalls. Basically this works by having a concealed feeder tank and its from this supply of water that the waterfall is fed. The water is pumped through hidden pipes to the waterfall and then drains back into the feeder tank and is recirculated at a rate that maintains the size of waterfall we want. This can be arranged so that the water flows over rocks so creating a more natural waterfall or through a Stainless Steel waterfall blade which creates a cascade of water that is a stunning feature in a modern garden.

Who could ask for more?   Well it depends where you live. In the USA pondless waterfalls or as some describe them disappearing pondless waterfalls, can be purchased in ready packaged kit form. Upto now I hav'nt sourced a supplier of these kits in the UK. The individual components can be purchased from reputable suppliers so pondless waterfalls are still an option when considering introducing moving water into our garden, whether it be modern or traditional.

       

A simple pond waterfall or other moving water will attract wildlife to our garden so it is worth considering.

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    Gardens can become wildlife havens with just a little thought when planning and working the garden. This site is here to encourage and help gardeners to consider and enjoy the wildlife in their garden.

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