By Melissa Bigner

There is no doubt that water affects us in the best way. Think about it-we chug it down, we travel great distances to vacation near it, and when we're overheated, it cools and soothes like no other. So an oasis is an obvious addition for the well-thought-out garden-no matter the space you're working with. Keep reading for details.

No matter the size of your water garden, whimsy is always an option, as this border shows. Photo: Monika Nikore, 2001

Why They're So Very Nice
Water gardens add irrepressibly sensual elements to a garden. Take for instance, bubbling fountains and waterfalls. The sounds and sprays they cast off cool garden visitors considerably, even when it's only a psychological trick. And, too, the mere sight of water becomes eye candy, breaking up an otherwise static landscape. Just think, as wind stretches across the water's surface, it tosses off ripples that catch your eye time and again. That ever-changing surface reflects the sun, the clouds and the seasons as they pass. Truly, a water garden is as mesmerizing as a cozy fire can be, and makes for a peaceful interlude in a stress-filled world.

Plan Ahead
Are you hooked? There are some basic things to consider before you start digging your oasis. Take heed.

1. Location, location, location. Choose a spot that gets a clear shot at the sun. (This helps aquatic plants grow and bloom.) Avoid wooded areas, as roots can damage a liner, leaves will choke your pond and tree canopies block the sun. Also, make sure your spot isn't the lowest point in your garden as runoff can flood your oasis, and can infuse it with pesticides that will poison water plants and fish.
2. Increase the eye appeal. What shape and where a water garden is placed is really a matter of taste. Put it where you will enjoy seeing it regularly (you might slot it within a favorite view from your house). Next, outline the shape with a rope or hose, playing with the borders until you strike upon something appealing. Hint: Kidney-shaped pools are popular.
3. How deep are you? Conventional wisdom among water gardeners dictates that a pool must be at least two to two-and-a-half feet deep-at a bare minimum, 18 inches. (Any shallower and the water heats up too easily, exacerbating algae growth.)

Liner, Concrete, Tub or Prefab Form?
You'll need to line the bottom of your water garden. How you do that, though, is up to your preferences. Liners come in a variety of materials (vinyl and rubber are most popular) and give you the most flexibility. Think about it-if, after a year or two, you want to fill in or alter the shape of your garden, it's much easier to change out a liner than it is to remove poured concrete. It's also easier to replace a liner than to repair concrete, which will eventually, inevitably crack. (Liners can be bought online and in large garden and landscape stores; those retailers can also tell you how much liner you'll need for your space.) Tubs, like simple galvanized washtubs, can make for easy gardens. And prefab forms serve the same simple purpose. In both cases, just make sure you dig the right shape to match your form.

Water lilies add a burst of color to this garden. Photo: Monika Nikore, 2001, Move.com, Inc.

Filters and Pumps and Fish, Oh My!
If you want your water to move, you'll need a pump of some sort. How much water you're moving determines how powerful a pump you'll need. The best thing is, again, to go online or to a garden and landscape store and talk to the retailers. Also look at the specs on the pumps offered. You may or may not need a filter, which can also be found at the aforementioned places. If you want clear, see-to-the-bottom water, you'll want one. If not, don't bother. As for the fish, and plants, too, neither necessitates a filter. (Know, though, that there are two types of filters-biological and mechanical ones. The former removes bacteria that promote algae growth, while the latter is mostly to keep pumps and filters free of debris.)

Pick Your Plants
Water lilies, cattails and the like have inspired painters for centuries. Bring the beauty into your backyard by planting aquatic plants in your water garden. Make sure you include a few oxygenating plants in your pond to decrease algae growth. (The type of plants you chose really depends on your gardening zone; check with local nurseries and dealers for specific specimens.)