Planning and caring for your Koi Garden is one of the best parts of having koi. Some people use the opportunity of combining several hobbies- their love of koi and their love of gardening. With creative planning, and little forethought, why not plan a little bench seat in a shady spot where you can relax and enjoy watching your koi or read a good book. You can turn your koi garden into a rock garden, or even a flower garden where you can harvest bright, beautiful flowers for your kitchen table or your living room during the growing season. There are many possibilities.
The koi themselves of course should be the centerpiece of your koi garden, so remember to make it a place where you can spend a little time at the side of the pond, interacting with your wonderful koi. Koi make great pets and they will swim over and enjoy a treat from your hands when they get to know you. You will learn to appreciate each of them as individuals, recognizing them by their unique and distinctive colors and markings, as well as by their personality.
When planning your garden you will want to think about the size of the pond. If you are starting out with baby koi, keep in mind they can grow quite large over the years, so plan a pond that will accommodate fish up to three feet in size. Build the pond in a location that allows for indirect sunlight, so the sun doesn't blaze down on it, but far enough away from trees and shrubs to avoid a large amount of debris falling into the pond. Debris that settles at the bottom of the pond will need cleaning from time to time and may clog pond filters. At times of year when leaves or blossoms are falling and blowing on the wind, you might like to check your pond daily and ensure that the surface is clear and the fish can move freely in the pond.
A pond of three feet in depth is considered a starting point, though you may want to start the pond deeper if you live in area where the water is likely to freeze in the winter time. Then progress to a depth of six feet. Position a drain at the deepest part (lowest point) in the pond. Have fun designing the shape and style of your pond, but keep in mind that the fish won't do well around sharp corners or areas that might be difficult to navigate. Your koi will appreciate shady spots in their pond garden to rest in.
When you landscape around your pond, a primary consideration is the need to use chemicals on the garden. Fertilizers, weed and pest killers should all be kept away from the pond in general so that they won't blow in and poison the koi. There are many options, including low maintenance plants (daisies and chrysanthemums, for example) that don't require heavy fertilization, and the use of stake or liquid fertilizers that can't blow into the pond. There are a large number of grasses and reeds that will thrive around your pond as well. Floating plants such as water lilies and water hyacinth are good additions and will also create shade for the fish. You can also use bog plants such as blue flag iris and lizard's tail. Then you can add some submerged plants such as hornwart and anacharis. It's also a good idea to introduce some algae eating snails to your pond to maintain a balance. Check with a good pond supplier to find the best kind of snails for your koi garden.
Jonathon Matthews is a koi expert. For more great information on how to create an amazing , visit .
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