Garden Wetlands

Since its installation, we have noticed an increase in the wealth of beneficial organisms that inhabit the garden. When you look at the wetland, you should not expect to see a placid pool of water with occasional groups of water lilies. Instead, expect to look at a pool of water teaming with life. The wetland does not have a liner, so initially it would lose a little water, but that has stopped and the primary loss is to evaporation.

The plants in the wetland include submerged plants, floating plants and plants along the shoreline. Most plants in the wetland were introduced, such as the Elodea, water lilies, Thalia, papyrus, duckweed, sea lettuce, Lousiana and canna. The cypress trees and red cedar trees were planted on the bank of the wetland. Cattails and algae came on their own.

The water level in the wetland rises and falls a few inches based on weather and irrigation. The water entering the wetland comes over the surface from rain events and from irrigation. Irrigation water comes in both from the surface and through an underground drainage system.