Before we take up any work, we should understand the basic concepts involved in the work. So before we take up garden lighting, we should understand the garden.

Know your garden:

The basic issue to be understood is the size of the garden. The exterior look of the house is another point to be considered. The garden should be aesthetically good. Whether the garden is being used just for relaxation or for holding any discussions or for taking lunch and supper with family and friends, etc. should be considered. These are some of the essential points to be understood before the lighting work is taken up. Next comes the cost; how much one can afford on lighting. Whether any change of landscaping is required also should be considered.

Who will do the work?

If one is cost conscious, then one of the options open to him is to do the gardening by himself. There are many books to teach about the art of gardening. But this depends on the size of the garden and how much time one can afford on the work, etc. There are professional agencies who take up the work. They will advise you on the landscaping. They also advise on the type of cabling work to be done and the type of lights or shades that would be appropriate for the garden. In fact some of these agencies also take up routine maintenance of the garden. But that would be quite expensive.

Do it yourself:

Although there are many books to guide you on garden lighting, there are some very important points that have to be considered before taking up the work. Select the right furniture for the garden. Balance the lighting both outside and inside the garden. As far as possible try to go in for solar lighting because it is easy to install and it is quite cost effective. In solar lighting, the lighting pattern can be changed any time you desire because it does not require any cabling. Before you take up the work, visit some of the gardens of your neighbors and friends. If necessary, make a sketch of their garden. That will give you enough information about how your garden should be. The lighting depends on the type of trees existing and proposed to be grown. It also depends on other factors like fountains and waterfalls, pathways provided, place provided for relaxing and discussions, etc.

The most important thing to consider in water gardening is probably the spot chosen.  Since plants and fish both need plenty of sunlight, places in direct light away from trees and bushes is the best place.  This will also help prevent leaves and debris from collecting in the water.

When planning for a water garden first decide the size you want.  This will depend on how much money you are willing to spend because water gardening can get expensive if you opt for a large garden full of plants, rocks, fish, and lights.  Also consider the size of our property, and the amount of time you want to spend with maintaining your water garden.

When you choose what type of aquatic plants you wish to have, remember that the plants should only cover about half of the water.  Plants can be free floating, submerged, or marginal.  Which you choose is all a matter of personal preference.  Some plants are good for their scent, some provide more oxygen than others and will keep the pool health, and some are just beautiful. Fish are not only nice to look at but they are also very beneficial.  Fish help keep debris at a minimum and help in controlling larva and other insects.

One of the main difficulties in water gardening is keeping water clear of algae.  Algae problems are usually caused from too many nutrients in the water from feeding fish too often or from over fertilizing plants.  If ponds are made correctly and are maintained properly algae problems and control will be kept at a minimum.

All garden pools regardless of size will need maintenance throughout the year. With proper planning you can ensure a healthy balance between living and decorative features of a water garden that can almost care for itself with simple maintenance inputs from you.
You can get rid of algae by reducing on the nutrients that cause the algae by cutting back on feeding and fertilizing, planting more plants, installing a filter system, or replacing existing water with fresh water.  There are some chemicals that can be used, like copper compounds, but overuse can kill plant life and fish.

Water gardening doesn’t take anymore time than regular gardening, but obviously isn’t near the same thing.  You may be the type person who couldn’t grow a flower if you tried but would be excellent at water gardening.  If you are looking for a way to occupy some time or to beautify your yard, water gardening is an excellent way.