We love the idea of an in-ground water garden or a water fountain, but we don't have a backyard. This water garden could work even in a small area like a balcony or a patio. Check out step by step instructions after the jump...
Think of it as "a miniature water garden in a box." The size of the box could vary and you could create additional sections if you have more space. This could be a lovely addition to any balcony or a patio. For more detailed instructions check out Do It Yourself website.
Materials:
• Wood
• Water sealant
• Plastic liner
•Water plants (Plants used in this how to: Japanese sweet flag, arrowhead, common duckweed, broadleaf, stonecrop, houseleek, deer fern, and blue-eyed grass.)
• Potting soil
• Pea gravel
• Gazing ball or other ornament
Tools:
• Handsaw or circular saw
• Hammer and nails
• Drill
• Wood screws, screwdriver
Step by Step Instructions:
1. Get 1x8 - inch cedar boards. (You could use 1x10 or 1x12 boards to create a deeper pond.)
2. You will need 2 pieces that are 30-inches long for the sides and 2 pieces that are 15-inches long for the ends of the box.
3. Assemble the outer frame with a hammer and some nails.
4. Measure the interior dimensions for the floor of the box. You can use the same 1x8-inch wood or you could get some 3/4-inch exterior plywood. Cut the wood with a hand saw or circular saw, or you could have it cut at your local hardware store. You want your cuts to be as straight as possible to minimize gapping.
5. Pre-drill holes every 6 inches along the edges of the box to attach the bottom piece. Start with attaching long side to the base first, then the two short sides, and finish with the remaining long side. Use wood screws to connect the boards.
6. If you want to create a divider, as illustrated in this project, for a separate planting box —cut another piece of wood that is the width of your interior. You can try it in a few different spots, before you decide on where you would like it. In this example one-third of the box is for plants and two thirds are for the water garden. When you are happy with the placement, attach the divider with the wood screws.
7. Use additional wood screws to fasten the end joints on all four corners. Screw them in as tight as possible to minimize gapping.
8. Apply sealant to lengths of 1x2-inch stripes of wood and fasten them to each corner. They will strengthen the box and provide additional sealing.
9. On the inside of the box, install a plastic liner or use a water sealant. If you are planning on having fish in your water garden, make sure that the sealant that you choose is safe for aquatic life.
10. If you are going to have a garden side in your box, you will need to drill two or three holes in the bottom to provide drainage.
11. You are now ready to create a composition with your plants. Try choosing some that vary in size, texture, and form. Choose a combination of edge, submerged, and floating plants. Select some that are taller and a couple trailing plants.
12. Fill the garden side with potting soil and fill it with plants that have similar growing requirements.
13. If you are using floating plants in the water garden, place them on a brick, so they sit two inches below the water surface.
14. As a final touch you could add ornamental elements for visual interest. You could also paint the outside of your box for a different look.
For some helpful tips on how to plant in your water garden click here and for ideas on how to maintain your water garden follow this link.
Photos: Do It Yourself
Before & After: Emily Henderson Transforms a Senior's Studio Space
Monica & Austin's Charming Bungalow
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Ercol Bar Stool
How To Cook Fluffy, Tasty Quinoa
True Greek Recipe: Paximadi Bread Salad with Tomatoes, Feta and Capers
I love the idea of a water garden, and the one pictured is beautiful. It isn't something I will ever consider for myself, though, since the upkeep (algae and pond scum come to mind) seems too time consuming, and I can't get past the thought that it will be an ideal mosquito breeding ground.
Those were my thoughts exactly.
Yup, immediately thought mosquitos.
you could install a simple bubble filter that would take care of algae and mosquitos
wait, why not just start with a waterproofed container instead of making your own?
If I had a deck instead of a balcony, I'd love to have one of these.
"wait, why not just start with a waterproofed container instead of making your own?"
Because then it wouldnt' be a DIY...
now i know what to do with my wine crates.
I have two container water gardens in my tiny, very sunny side yard and I love them. I live in Palo Alto. I wasn't enterprising enough to make my own containers -- I used a wine cask and a giant ceramic barrel that I got from a friend. The plants are nearly care-free. I pick off dead leaves once in a while and repot water lilies once a year. Each garden has a few tall plants (iris, papyrus, taro), a few pygmy water lilies (one hardy, one tropical in each -- more blooms on the tropical, better foliage on the hardy), some tiny floating plants (fairy moss and duckweed), and a couple of 25 cent goldfish in each to keep down the mosquitos (never been a problem). I don't have a pump and I change the water very rarely, maybe twice a year. I was a little worried that the gardens would take tons of water to keep up in the summer, but I find I only need to add a gallon or so a week to each in the hottest months. The fish mostly feed themselves, but I give them some flakes a couple of times a week and they seem fat and happy. Algae has never been a problem -- the water snails that were stowaways on the lilies take care of whatever algae does grow. I have spectacular water lily blooms all summer long, irises in the spring, and beautiful greenery during the winter. I really can't recommend starting a little water garden enough. So satisfying.
Thanks for posting about your water garden, MayaOnFiya! Nice to hear first hand account of how it is working for someone. I'll keep that in mind (few fish, some water snails) if I ever do anything with my balcony.
I want to have a water garden too, but living in New England, I have to take winter into consideration. I had one years ago, and had to bring my fish indoors over the winter (I used a PVC garden cart as a portable pond -- not ideal, but they survived.) No place for that now, though, so I'd need a plan B.
I found a lot of great information on the web that helped me start my gardens, actually. Search for 'half barrel water garden' and you'll be surprised at what you find! And there are some wonderful aquatic plant nurseries out there and nearly all of them have web pages. The fanciest one (and most expensive) is Lilypons, but there are plenty of less glam ones that have a good selection and better prices. Good luck, everyone! It's a great spring project that will pay off all summer!