Dr. Grow: Just add water

Water has been an integral part of a garden since the beginning of time. More than 50 percent of God's garden, the earth, is under water. The Garden of Eden had a river flowing out of it.

Old gardens in Europe and China always had some sort of water feature in them.

Today when you visit famous public gardens, you find water in ponds, fountains, and birdbaths.

The human race is fascinated by water. It is a part of our natural landscape. It provides us with a sense of tranquility. It always gives a cool feeling, especially on a hot summer day. The sound of running water seems to soothe our soul.

I know one young mother whose son is fascinated by water. He can spot a water puddle a mile off. She loves to visit nurseries. To keep him happy while she shops, she brings along a pair of rubber boots for him to wear. He is grin from ear to ear stomping in water puddles while she browses.

I am fascinated by water because some fish may live in the pool. My first recollection of a garden was that of my Grandma Schnares. Between the farmhouse and the orchard was a small garden that had a pond in the middle. Over the pond was an arbor on which a vine grew. I can still see all of the goldfish swimming in the pond. I always wanted to take my fishing pole when I visited Grandma. Mom, of course, always refused to let me take it with me. I think my older cousins were caught fishing by Grandma and got their bottoms paddled. Of course to this day none of them admit to it.

Generally when people think of water in a garden they think of a small garden pond. If done well, these water features are a great asset to any garden. Not everyone has the space for garden pond, nor does everyone have the interest or the time to keep a pond looking great. If you're one of these gardeners, you can still enjoy the visual and auditory interest of water in your garden with a fountain.

Fountains are traditionally made of concrete, although many new resin fountains are now on the market. Each fountain consists of a basin where water pools, a recirculating pump, and some sort of nozzle. This nozzle can be nothing more than a pipe through which water flows, or it may be device that shoots water up into the air. Quite often water flows from one level to another in the fountain. Water falling into a pool provides the sound of moving water. Many customers will not buy a fountain until they hear the sound that it makes.

The visual effect of the fountain is also important to customers. They want to see how light reflects from both the pool and from the water stream falling into the basin. Fountain location in your garden is extremely important. You need access to electricity, because most fountains require 110v to run the recirculating pump. Place the fountain where you can see and hear it most of the time while you are in your garden. The location may be on or next to a patio, deck, gazebo, or garden sitting area.

My wife has a created a garden in our foyer. In the middle of the garden sits a small fountain depicting a woodsy scene. We can hear the water running while we sit in the family room, great room, dining room, or kitchen. Our garden and fountain is always a conversation topic with visitors.

Maintenance of a fountain is minimal. You will occasionally need to refill the basin with water. Use of the fountain will result in water loss because of evaporation and possible splattering. The immersible recirculating pump is lubricated by water. Be sure that it never runs dry. A pump will burn up in five or ten minutes if it runs dry.

Sometimes water in the fountain will turn green because of algae. You can eliminate the problem by adding bleach to the water or add a commercially prepared algaecide found at your local garden center.

When cold weather approaches, simply remove the pump from the fountain, pour out all of the water, and cover it with plastic. Be sure that no water sits in the collection bowl during freezing weather. Some gardeners simply turn the basin upside down until spring arrives.

If you want to enjoy the sights and sounds of water in your garden, a fountain may just be the solution. Fountains come in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges. Find the one that you like and set it up in your garden. Then set back, relax, and listen to one of the most soothing sounds you'll ever hear.