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Ah, water in the garden! Waterscaping completes every natural setting. Be it even just a still bird bath, or bubbling, splashing fountain; the sights and sounds of water add so much soothing tranquility. When designed, placed and installed properly the upkeep of these water features is minimal. Fortunately, water's appeal of attracting wildlife does not require a huge expense of pond or lake proportions. The only downside to small water effects is their maintenance. Still, shallow waters may draw noisome insects such as mosquitoes; unsightly algae can discolor the basins and clog your pump. What to do? Some folks drain and scrub such effects regularly, others employ bleach, even resorting to caustic pool/spa treatments and herbicides. These chemical methods are toxic to your landscape and you! Happily there is a safe, effective technology available to keep your water clean and clear. The correct use of a simple copper-based solution will inexpensively keep out bugs and algae without damaging your system or the surrounding plants. Where can you procure such a wonder treatment? At a local pet or tropical fish store. What you want is a standard chelated ("key-late-did") copper preparation. Chelation is a technique for temporarily binding materials together, something like our blood's hemoglobin and oxygen. The copper is aided by staying in solution longer, extending the interval time between treatments. There are a few twists on chelated copper formulations made by different companies. My favorite for small volumes is Copper-Safe (tm), by Mardel Laboratories. I have found it to be consistently useful and widely available. For Copper-Safe and similar products treatment is about one drop per gallon once per week during the summer, dropping to once every three to four weeks as the weather cools. At fifty or below, no treatments are necessary. If algae growth is apparent either increase dosage or decrease treatment interval. Start-Up; A Clean Beginning: Initially cleaning your system by disinfecting with bleach will help it stay cleaner longer. Steps to completion include: 1) Donning long rubber gloves and work clothing, 2) Draining and discarding present water. 3) Preparing a dilute, approximately one to ten household bleach solution mixed with tap water. 4) Gingerly sponging the solution on the surface of the fountain or bird bath. 5) Allowing the solution to soak for one-half hour. 6) Rinsing to dilute and carefully draining, discarding the water. 7) Refilling and treating with the chelated copper. Used as directed, algae growth will be retarded and pesky insects won't proliferate. Drinking by birds and other animals or spilling on the surrounding landscape will cause no harm. Copper in various formats is commonly used as an algae and pest control in potable water. In Summary: Every garden is enhanced by the benefits of still and moving water. Employing this simple treatment routine, maintenance is a snap.
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