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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1981-04-29, Page 52Page 18 Garden pools add unique charm By Pat Tucker Grounds Department Uiiiversity'of Guelph From the reflecting pools of the Roman villa to the aerate - lakes of the English garden, water has been used to sym- bolize the fountain of life since civilization began. Today, we can use water in our gardens to provide the cooling sound of fountains or cascades,, to reflect the sky or trees, and to produce a microclimate for plants, birds and animals. The location of a garden pool. should be carefully con- sidered. If you plan to grow tropical or hardy waterlilies at least six ,hours of sunshine is required. If you are interested in fish, avoid leaf fall areas, because leaves rot in the water and release gases that are 'harmful to fish. Stake out the pool area and check how much sunshine it receives prior to. construction. Recirculating systems may require more than one pool and . chase a stream GT' p,T,e cna ae ; 9v you must integrate the system into the overall design of the garden. This type of system is the most economical in con- serving water and keeping • it fresh.. Usually, a small water pump recirculates water to a highpoint in the system, where it returns through cascades, streams, orpipes to the lower pool by gravity fbw. Installation depends on the type of pool you require. Reflecting pools are the easiest to install, but, they do not support plant and fish life as easily asa recirculating or a natural stream system. To grow water lilies, for example, the pool depth should be at least 45 centimetres (18 in- ches).' Excavate the pool area at. least 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in.) deeper than the minimum depth required to support plant life. Provide 15 cm (6 in.) of coarse, washed sand as a base. Make sure the sand is free of debris that could puncture' the plastic liners used for the pool. Alternatively; prefabricated pools of plastic or fiberglas may be installed on a similar base, which provides .good. water drainage and prevents frost heaving. Paved concrete type pools should also be formed on a 15 cm (sin.) base of washed sand or gravel. At least1.0cm (4 in.) thickness of concrete is required. Reinforce 'concrete Natural Air Conditioners Planting trees strategically around your home can reduce indoor temperatures in summer. Maple, willow, oak and ash are ideal. If you don't have room for a tree, use a vine instead. Holiday care Dried grass clippings are an excellent and inexpensive source of. mulch. After watering your flower or vegetable gardens, spread the clippings 8 to 10 centimetres deep (3,to 4 inches) to help maintain soil moisture for up to 10 days while you are on vacation. When you return, either dig the clippings into the soil, or rake them out to add to the compost pile. with wire mesh to prevent cracks and leaks. Inlets, overflow and drainage outlets should be , provided for pool, cleaning and filling. Recirculating systems may include a submersible pump located in the pool, or a cir- culating pump such as used in hot, water systems. The latter must be located below the pool in the return system to operate successfully. Additional water is required to maintain water level during hot, sunny summer days when evaporation rates are ex- tensive. Drain shallow pools for the, winter to avoid damage. Store plants -and - fish indoors. Larger, deeper pools support 'fish and hardy northern plants. Disconnect recirculating pumps, fill the pool prior to hard frost, and cover with plywood and 15to30cm (6 to 12 in.) of mulch. Goldfish and hardy lilies become dormant and survive in unfrozen water until the spring'sunshine revives the life cyce, Hardy plants, such as the waterlily, perform well in 'pools if•they are planted at a depth of 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 in.) . They need at least .15' cm (6 in.) of water over the crown and not more than 37 ,cm (15 in.). Plant hardy lilies in heavy. garden soil in tubs or boxes. Cover the tuber or roots ,with. soil but not 'the crown. Allow for a final layer of coarse sand or pea gravel over the soil to prevent the soil from discoloring- the pool water. Each spring, push .fertilizer tablets into.the soil around the crown . to encourage new growth. Dwarf lilies, hardy in Ontario, include: red laydekeri . - large crimson flowers; white. laydekeri - fragrant . snow-white blossoms; Aurora - apricot - yellow to deeporange-red; and Joanne Pring - deep rich pink blossoms, •Tropical waterlilies provide a, spectacular show of bloom up to 25 cm (.10 in.) in diameter; however, they must be overwintered in. .a greenhouse,. or . treated . as annuals with . new varieties purchased each year. Wfterliiies, the most popular plant for garden ponds, present spectacular shows of bloom. Some tropical lilies feature flowers up to 25 cm (10 In.) in diameter. Back to the land How do you feel good old American thrift, diligent work sufficiency? You cannot always work, out these ideals at your nine -to -five job, or even by moonlighting. But you can become more self- sufficient, save money, and go back to the land without pulling up stakes and heading for Alaska: All you need to do 'is put the land around your home to work growing flowers and. vegetables. If you do•not have a yard:''find a neighbor who will let` you plant his land, or farm a vacant lot or church property. Your City Parks Department may be able to help you find a community garden plot. This country has become too dependent. Too many are depen- ding on too few to grow everything for them and deliver. it...all clean, wrapped and sanitary. We can lessen our dependence pn the food production and marketingsystem and enjoy ourselves in the process, by grow- ing More of our needs at home. To paraphrase the old spiritual, about the ideals of and self,' let us "Lay down the fiddle and the bow, take up the shavel and the hoe!" Try These Pretty flowers and useful too ENERGY SAVING FLOWERS • Transform the appearance of your house this summer and save on air conditioning. • You can do this at a cost of on- Ip'n few cents by planting`seeds of flowering vines. Back in the days when most homes had porches, flowering vines were in. style:' morning glories, cardinal climber, cypress vine, moonflowers, cup and saucer vine,,.there was a blossom color, leaf texture and vine height to suit every taste. Few odern homes 'h Mave por- ches of any size, but they often have large, ground -floor windows facing south and west—where the summer suh pours in and turns the house into a furnace. Screen those windows with flowering vines. Build a tall trellis or fasten a pipe to the eaves, and run wires down to the ground, • Do not try to use strings and nails. Flowering vines are very heavy and will break strings or pull out nails. You will have a mess on „yopr hands should one of the strings break, leaving you with the job of stringing up long, heavy vines. Remember to choose the flowering vines that bloom when you are .in your garden. Some bloom in the early morning, others all day, some in the even- ing. rie INTRODUCING / CLINTON FORD TRACTOR THE AREA'S NEWEST DEALER SELLING AND SERVICING ARIENS OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT %CALL • Nursery Stock %'' • Rolling • Fertilizing • Aerifying • Verticutting • Seeding & Sodding j• Instant Shade Trees Mothers Landscaping & Lawn Maintenance / 52524-2401 f • Garden Tractors • Yard Tractors • Front -Tine Tillers • Riding Mowers • Rear -Tine Tillers • Trac -Team — powers rotary broom, Sno-Thro, rotary tiller or rotary mower. CLINTON FORD TRACTOR. SALES/SERVICE mow U2-3903 Highway No. Ire Watt Clinton Poaovr onu' Monday r,idsy • % o an • towreoy • a. en. 12 „aan t,A52-3$4