use those little snails... they help keep the algae down... then call up Mosquito abatement, and get a bunch of free mosquito fish...
then either use a pump to aerate the water or clean out fish poopy water (great for watering plants with) and replace with fresher water that's been sitting in sun to break down chlorine.

Little pumps are under 20 bucks now. You can construct long-lasting spouts and stuff out of bamboo pretty cheaply. Moving water keeps mosquitos down and the sound is nice.

For setting plants at depths in your barrel: I went to a plastics store and had them cut me a flat circle of plastic just a couple inches less than the diameter of the barrel. The circle sits on top of bricks and then I put plants on the plastic. All of my plants like to be submerged but not covered with water.

Plants I like: papyrus (comes in many sizes), acoris, japanese iris, and horsetail reed. Many of these can be divided if they get too lush. The selection of aquatic plants is getting better at your local nurseries. Pick what you like.

I don't clean out my barrel as much as I should. When I do clean it out, having a pump comes in handy as you can just pump the water out into buckets and empty them instead of dipping the buckets.

Water barrels are a really nice addition to the garden. Have fun.

I love mine. Here's a side view.
{{gwi:519643}}
. .
. Some plants don't like moving water but I've had success
with fairy moss, duckweed and water hyacinths. The comets
keep everything pruned.
{{gwi:519645}}
They are easy to maintain and fun to look at. I clean the
filter once a month.

Edna

Here's mine

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DavisSue - that is beautiful!

Edna

Dragonflies love rushes and sedges (like the ones in Davissue's pot) and there are many that won't overtake a small barrel.
In our area, you can call the vector control and they will bring you some mosquito fish for free.
Float a barley straw ball or other barley product to keep algae at bay.

wanda

I was wondering if anyone can recommend a good mail order source for water plants and supplies. Or, if anyone's in the greater Sacramento area, can you recommend a good local source? Nurseries in my area (Carmichael) don't seem to stock many water garden supplies.

I'm just starting to add plants to a half-barrel. I snagged a hardy water lily and corkscrew rush at Home Depot the other day, but need a few more plants and some fertilizer tabs.

Thanks!
Angela

These are the two best places I know to get water plants and supplies in the sacramento area- Golden Pond is especially nice with cute display ponds. I don't know if either place is open this early in the season, and I think golden pond is only open friday thru sundays anyway, but call and ask.

Golden Pond Water Plants Aquatic Plants
Phone: 916.652.LILY
3275 Sierra College Blvd Loomis, CA 95650

Flora Tropicana Aquatics Aquatic Plants
Phone: 916.369.0644
10255 Grant Line Rd Elk Grove, CA 95624

Here is a link that might be useful: flora tropicana

There's a great place in Napa called McAllister Water Gardens, 7420 Saint Helena Hwy, Napa. They are wholesale and resale. Great selections of water lillies.

I really like Van Ness Water Gardens also. I've ordered plants from them and they were always healthy. They have a wealth on information on their website.

Here is a link that might be useful: Van Ness Water Gardens

Thanks! Both sound great.

Angela

I am a volunteer at a community housing garden where the residents are mostly elderly and disabled. I have completely free reign as to what I plant. The beds are there but I do plan to amend them this week. My question is, I am used to gardening in Seattle. Can anyone recommend plants that will not need a ton of maintenance, but will be beautiful and easy for the residents to enjoy, whether it is picking or eating or just watching grow. I have about six or seven beds, about seven feet by four feet.

Elizabeth, your question might not be seen here in a "water barrel" thread, so you might want to scroll to the bottom of the main California Gardening page and start your very own thread. :)

If you need any help, just holler.

Brenda

Elizabethv -- I recommend you start a new topic to get an answer to your question, as it is totally unrelated to the topic you posted under, and those who could answer may not see it.

Elizabethv: you're in Berkeley? I would recommend some ornamental grasses and maybe some succulents, maybe some nice sized rocks, and annuals & perennials for flowers.

Go to the DRY GARDEN on Shattuck. Maybe they could help you with some ideas...they stock low maintenance plants.

Otherwise, check the library for books on designing low maintenance gardens...there's lots of good books out there.