NOW is an ideal time to establish a water garden. When planting the pool, remember that a new underwater world is being created in which plants, fish and snails depend upon one another to provide the basic requirements necessary for their happy co-existence.

Submerged oxygenating plants replace the oxygen that has been lost to respiration and compete with slimes, algae and other primitive forms of plants life which turn the water thick and green, by using up all the available mineral salts. This effectively starves them out of existence.

Plants with floating foliage assist by shading the surface of the water, making life intolerable for any of the green, water discolouring algae which try to live beneath them. The marginal plants are of no great importance in creating a balance, but they do provide the necessary colour to bring the pool to life.

When planning the planting of a water garden, carefully consider the quantity of each type of plant necessary to create a balanced environment, then select within these limits those that have a particular personal appeal.

At least one-third of the surface area of the pool, excluding the marginal shelves, should be covered with floating foliage. This need not be composed entirely of free-floating aquatics, for waterlilies and other deep water aquatics provide plenty of cover with their floating leaves.

The initial stocking rate with submerged oxygenating plants is recommended at one to every two square feet of surface area, evenly distributed over the pool floor, and with fish, a maximum of six inches of length inclusive of tail to every square foot of surface area, although, in practice, two inches to the same surface area is more reasonable.

Snails of the flat curled ramshorn type can be freely introduced and, as marginal plants are of little significance in attaining a correct balance, these can be planted liberally. Waterlilies are usually the first priority when planting a pool and this is hardly surprising since these lovely plants provide a dazzling display of flowers from early summer until the first autumn frosts and are available in almost every shape, size and colour imaginable.

The planing season for waterlilies and all other aquatic plants is from late spring until late summer. The plants should be established in baskets of good clean garden soil or proprietary aquatic planting compost and potted in the usual way.

When collecting soil prior to planting, it is important to avoid getting old leaves or weeds mixed in with it, as these will decompose and foul the water. Soil that has been dressed with artificial fertiliser should also be avoided. Once planted in the basket, the soil should be covered with about half an inch of washed pebbles.

l Remember to keep an eye on small children in the vicinity of garden ponds.

What's New

Durango Flame is a fully double- flowered rust and yellow, French marigold.

Passion is the latest mixed strain of Osteospermum or cape daisies.

Vintage is a mixed variety of dwarf stocks with fragrant blossoms.

Q I have a yellow alyssum plant which has spread further than I would like. Can I cut it back at this time?

A Yes, run the shears over it. Fresh growth will be produced and it will flower freely again next spring.

Q My wisteria is out of hand, can I prune it now?

A As soon as flowering has finished, all the lateral shoots should be trimmed back to three pairs of leaves and any stringy or wayward shoots cut hard back to the main stem.

Q Some of my onion sets are running to seed. Can I use the bulbs?

A Yes, use them for salads immediately before they get hard, woody and hot.