Water Garden Supplies for a Backyard Pond

Building a pond is one of the most popular gardening projects today, and for good reason. Peacefully pleasing to both eyes and ears, the natural beauty of a pond provides a calming effect that's especially welcome in these times of stressful living.

Whether you're just thinking about adding a pond or have already taken the plunge, this article covers the basics of water garden supply, and what it takes to be successful.

Adding a pond to your backyard

You can hire a landscaping company to build your garden pond, which usually takes them less than a day. However, if you’re the least bit handy, a pond is a simple backyard project that shouldn't take long at all.

The easiest, most convenient way to buy all your water garden supply is to shop online. There are dozens of websites devoted to providing gardeners with the products they need, and many specialize in water garden supply. Even better, free shipping is quite common, so it makes little sense to drive all over town for supplies when you can order everything online, and have it delivered to your backyard. Some sites even offer instructions for building the pond.

An innovative way to control algae growth

Algae is probably the biggest challenge water gardeners encounter. A little is necessary for a healthy ecosystem, but too much makes the water murky and unattractive. Some people use filters but they don't always work properly, and present their own challenges. Thankfully, there's a natural, highly effective product that works wonders to keep your pond clear—barley straw! It's safe for fish, pets and plants, and is available three ways: as a handy big ball, in strips for large ponds or as pads in a flotation frame for small ponds. It clears up algae quickly, and keeps the water fresh all summer long.

Another natural, non-toxic treatment for cloudy water is to release packets of beneficial bacteria and enzymes into the pond by placing them in dispensers disguised as ducks or plants.