Happy Earth Day! Is there a better way to celebrate Earth Day than outside, in the garden? Flowers are wonderful. Herbs and vegetables are delicious. But, water gardens and pond plants — and the frogs and dragonflies they attract — are our favorite. Not into ditch digging? No problem. Container water gardens are easy and fun. Assuming you already have a water-proof container, you can install a container water garden in an afternoon.

1. Select a location. Container water gardens can go just about anywhere you like, indoors or out. But, no matter where you choose, you’ll want a spot that is fairly level. Full-sun is best, but part-shade will be fine for many aquatic plants.
2. Pick your container. Glazed pots are an easy choice, but anything that holds water will work. One of the best container water gardens I ever saw was in an old claw-foot bath tub. Be creative and have fun.
3. Water-proof the container. If you aren’t sure about water-tightness, simply fill the container with water and let it sit a day or two. Use water-proof putty or epoxy (available at any hardware store) to seal any cracks or drainage holes. Let dry overnight.
4. Place and level the container. Remember, water always levels itself. So unless you want an off-tilter look, you’ll want your container sitting as level as possible. Use flat stones, pebbles or dirt to level the base. For best results, use a carpenter’s level.
5. Add gravel, pebbles or soil (optional). If you want the hide the bottom of the container, now is the time to add your bottom substrate. Be creative: sand, gravel, pebbles, marbles and more will all work. This is also a great time to add larger decorative rocks or stones.
6. Add a pump, filter or fountain (optional). Generally, pumps and filters are not necessary for small container gardens. But, the effect of moving water can be very pleasing. If you enjoy the sound of moving water, or want to add a small fountain, then now is the time to add the pump.  Pumps are also a good idea if you want to keep a few fish.
7. Prepare your plants. If you haven’t already, pick out some fun pond plants for your container water garden. Almost any water plant will thrive in a container. If your plants are bare-root, just trim their roots and pot them in plastic pond plant containers. Garden soil works fine. If your plants are already potted, simply check to see if their roots are growing out of the container. If they are, you may want to repot them in a larger container. Visit our website for a few more tips on potting your pond plants.
8. Add your plants. Most aquatic plants want to be set 4 to 12 inches below the surface, although lilies and lotus are happy in deeper water too. If the container is deep, you can add bricks or stones to support the plants, bringing their pots closer to the surface.
9. Add water. Slowly fill the container, being careful to avoid tipping your plants or disturbing the substrate.
10. Enjoy!

Today’s post is also available at polka dot suitcase, a great blog about finding fun in everyday life.