Can't Have a Pond so I'll Have a Bucket :)

Discussion in 'Water Gardening' started by Bilbo675, Jun 6, 2012.

  1. sal73

    sal73 Total Gardener

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    [​IMG]I`ve got 2 water pot as well , not really visible in this picture but 2 of the big pot are filled with water , got papyrus in one and thalia in the other .
    In case anyone would love to transform any pot in a water feature , it`s easy , just paint the inside with paintable rubber or liquid fiberglass , only took 20 minutes to dry .
    [​IMG]
    end how did it look last year.
    [​IMG]
    the grass in the pot is nut grass , it`s actually frost hardy and grown for edible roots , just both them from an asian store.
     
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    • Gazania

      Gazania Gardener

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      Some great ideas :) This is my first garden without any sign of water ! I am 'pond'ering over whether to get a water feature up and running or not. ('pond'ering, get it :snork:)
      My first effort was a hole dug in clay soil, and a liner placed in. Besides buying a preformed pond this is the next easiest option for a pond. I surrounded the edges with stone and had a small pump and filter for a waterfall and to keep things on the move. I had a small ledge all around for marginal plants. And a few fish.
      Next effort was a blocked and fibreglassed pond holding 8000 gallons and a few large koi. Next house I built another block and fibreglass pond, again with koi. Then the next house I had a plastic bucket, and a couple of ceramic pots with water plants in them. And a nice little preformed pond to attract wildlife. Only problem I had was the ceramic pots cracking when a big freeze came !
      I quite fancy a couple of ceramic or clay pots again like you guys with a few water plants. Other times I have buried large plastic bowls to create ground level ponds.
      Oh, and I've had a couple of old whisky barrels before they became fashionable and expensive, they looked pretty good.
      Kids and pets are a big consideration where water is involved. I used to write for a fish, pond and garden magazine and I came across some horror stories so always steer to the side of caution.
      gazania
       
    • sal73

      sal73 Total Gardener

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      Lol , If you go for ceramic or clay pot , what i do in winter is empty the water out and store the plants in the greenhouse for winter , but they can be happy even on a window cill .....plus many plants have survived outdoor in a dry location , didn`t belive myself , thalia survived in the soil and same for nutgrass , lily ,iris and parrot plants survived even in the frozen pond .
      When March come i try to collect as much as water rain and fill the pot again , water rain and water snails are keeping the water pot clear .
      [​IMG]
       
    • tiggs&oscar

      tiggs&oscar Apprentice Gardener

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      I think that is amazing, well done. Something I would happily have. Hint Hint!!
       
    • Bilbo675

      Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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      Another update; here's how the "bucket" looks today, crystal clear water, plenty of cover and everything healthy. For the first time ever, after years of trying I've got a Water Hyacinth to flower and I've had a very large dragonfly visiting on a daily basis :dancy:

      Plants 171.jpg

      Plants 172.jpg
       
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      • ARMANDII

        ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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        That's a really good small water feature, Bilbo:thumbsup::snork: It shows you thought about it and it's a real success.:snork:
         
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        • Bilbo675

          Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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          Thanks Armandii :dbgrtmb: , I do love it when a plan comes together :snork:
           
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          • ARMANDII

            ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

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          • gardendweller

            gardendweller Apprentice Gardener

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            Nice thread. I have a similar one.
            1-P7292260.JPG
            [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG] [​IMG]
             
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            • Phil A

              Phil A Guest

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              Welcome to Gardeners Corner:sign0016:
               
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              • Bilbo675

                Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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                My 'bucket' continues to excel; so well in fact that I have had to take some of the water hyacinth out as its spreading like mad :snork: , the pickerel weed has now come into flower and I have now seen 2 bright blue damselflies as well as a large dragonfly having a nosey :dbgrtmb:

                Plants 240.jpg

                Plants 241.jpg
                 
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                • clueless1

                  clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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                  In a local nursery I've seen oak barrel halves for £30. I'm talking about proper full sized barrels (whisky barrels in this case, and you can even smell the whisky dregs). Not dressed up in any way, just cut in half. That means that some of them (the bottom half of the barrel) will be watertight, and at £30 I think its a bargain.

                  So I think I'm going to buy myself one. If I do, then I guess next its just a case of working out what water plants to put in there.
                   
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                  • Chiaroscuro

                    Chiaroscuro Gardener

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                    Wow, so do I! The home/garden shop in my town sells them but they're about £80 or were last time I looked.
                    Just found this thread and think it's a terrific idea. I might have a go myself. Only thing that worries me is attracting frogs as my cat and the others around would just think they're fun new toys.
                     
                  • Phil A

                    Phil A Guest

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                    Next time you find a roadkill Toad, tie it on a bit of string till the cat decides to catch it & have a bite, it won't want to put anything that shape in its mouth again.
                     
                  • Bilbo675

                    Bilbo675 Total Gardener

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                    There's a reclamation yard in our town selling oak half barrels for £22...:dbgrtmb:
                     
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