Is A Covered Patio Water Garden Suitable For Me?
Is this design safe at all? - This is a good style if all you require is a large, level, covered with some water to make it come alive. If you have young children, then I suggest to seriously consider installing a wall-hung feature that spouts water into a sink or trough. Your toddlers can enjoy this water and so can you. If you really want to make sure that the water garden is perfect for your children then a patio water garden is the perfect choice.
The Covered patio water garden only has 4 main components. These are the:
- patio
- water feature
- containing wall/fence
- cover
The cover should protect you from any harsh weather elements while at the same time ensuring that you have peace of mind (i.e. not having to worry about the safety of your children)
Why should I opt for the water garden.
The covered patio water garden is suitable for even the smallest of gardens. The fundamental questions you will have to ask yourself is what material you are going to use for the patio and whether this material will not end up invading your neighbors space. This water garden design is ideal for all spaces.
You can use different materials as covers. You may choose to use a rigid plastic roof on a pergola frame, or a striped canvas awning such as a marquee. Alternatively you can use a canvas awning that reefs in a bit like a roller-blind or a sail, or a permanent glass roof.
How to create a covered patio water garden...
The ideal plot to create the covered water garden should be about 6m wide. You can build the design in a courtyard or in a large garden.
Order of work...
- Draw up a sketch of the design first - then make a detailed diagram taking into consideration the house, boundaries, structures and large trees. Note all drains in the area.
- Get rid of all unwanted plants
- Build the patio, complete with walls, fences or raised beds around it
- Build the cover from canvas awning, rigid plastic sheet, glass or whatever waterproof materials you select.
- Build and fit the water feature complete with a pump and filter.
- Plant sweet scented plants on the raised beds. Plants such as Californian Lilac and Lavender.
Care and maintenance
You must keep the patio clean and tidy at all times. Remove toys and arrange furniture correctly. Remove all debris. The water toys should be made from unbreakable plastic. Do not allow your children to play with dangerous material such as ceramic or glass. Keep sand away from the pond as this will block the pump,
Clean the cover regularly, getting rid of any dust. Ensure that the pump and filter are in good working order. Over winter frost tinder plants in the house.