This in-depth online course will develop your skills in many areas of Water Gardening. This includes designing, constructing and maintaining a variety of Water Garden types. Some examples are; fountains, streams, ponds and waterfalls. Water Gardens, large and small, can bring so much character to a garden when used properly.
E-Learning Structure
The duration of this online course is 100 hours. This consists of 8 in-depth lessons:
1. Introduction
- Scope and nature of water gardens
- What size water garden
- Water supply: rain, tanks,etc
- Water quality
- Siting the water garden
- Evaporation rate, water depth, safety
- Water in garden design: formal, informal
- Edging, Water sculptures, shade
- Water effects: sound, reflection, movement, light, cooling
- Water life: algae, fish, mosquitoes, wildlife, plants
2. Water Garden Construction
- Introduction
- Planning the water garden
- What effect do you want
- Matching the effect with the type of garden
- Shape, size and location
- Type of construction
- Surrounds
- Using a liner
- Pre formed water gardens (Kits)
- Pond edges
3. Equipment: Pumps, lights, filters
- Submersible pumps
- Lighting: power source, DC power
- Lighting design with water
- Pond filtration systems: sterile or living water
- Mechanical or biological filtration
- Swimming pool filtration
- Sand filters
- Diatomaceous earth filters
- Cartridge filters
4. Ponds and Watercourses
- Designing a natural watercourse
- Siting a stream
- Water circulation
- Pond design
- Dams
- Bog gardens
- Reed beds
- Pond management
- Oxygenating plants
5. Spas and Swimming Pools: Design and aftercare
- Choosing a swimming pool
- What sort of pool do you need
- Structural considerations
- Cost considerations
- Types of pools: concrete, fibreglass, vinyl
- Above or below ground
- Pump and filtration system
- What shape
- Special features in a pool
- Heating a pool
- Pool care over winter
6. Indoor and Outdoor Water Features
- Introduction
- Pot ponds
- Water barrels
- Wall plaques and wall fountains
- Water walls
- Water spouts
- Bird baths
- Fountains
- Cobble fountain construction
- Waterfalls
- Cascades
- Canals
- Using water features in a landscape
7. Water Plants
- Introduction
- Waterside trees and shrubs
- Bog plants
- Emergent water plants
- Floating leaf plants
- Aquatic plants
- Water lilies
- Plants to avoid in water gardens
- Surrounding plants
8. Aquatic Animals
- Introduction
- Conditions needed by fish and aquatic animals
- Maintenance
- Fish
- Frogs
- Tortoises
- Water snails
- Insects
- Birds
- Troubleshooting
Water Gardens
Water Gardens can create different a feeling in your garden, for example; a still water pond or pool can make a garden tranquil and give the feeling of serenity, calmness and peace. A dynamic feeling can be created from including a water garden with streaming water – like fountains and waterfalls. A sense of life and movement is created this way.
How Does A Warnborough Online Course Work?
You can start the course whenever is convenient for you. You will be studying from home and have access to support from our qualified tutors. Practical exercises and research tasks will be set at the end of each lesson – including an assignment. You will submit this assignment to your course tutor, who will mark your work and give you constructive feedback and suggestions.
If you have any questions please contact us.
