REGULAR CARE OF WATER GARDEN KEEPS WORK TO A MINIMUM.

Byline: JANE GATES Gardening

SANTA CLARITA - In the heat of the summer, water gardening is most appreciated.

The cooling sound of running water affords a psychological relief from the baking sun. And pond plants are usually in full growth or bloom by now, affording a full range of color and shape. You can get lost in masses of bog plants, or zone out on the soothing shapes of the giant lotus or the floating water lily. Fish are active and fascinating in their undulating motion. It is easy to lose track of time watching them gracefully flow by in random designs.

This is also the time when water features can become the greatest chore to care for. Fountains can become swamped with algae if they are located in full sun. Mosquitoes can be a problem for those who have not prepared for the possibility. And ponds are at their most active, so water balance and overgrowth must be monitored.

It is advisable to scrub out fountains if dirt or algae become problems. There are a number of chemicals available at pool or pond stores that can keep algae and mosquitoes in check. Dirt is something that must be attended to by hand. If you regularly check and clean your fountain, the job will stay small.

Ponds tend to be less work for the first year or two as they settle in. It is actually once they reach a mature balance that they can require more of your time. Fish - particularly goldfish and mosquito fish - can become overpopulated in the original space and make demands on the acidity of the water and their need for oxygen.

If you should find floating fish in the morning, know that the plants that oxygenate the water during the day actually draw back the oxygen at night and compete with the fish for that same oxygen. If the pond becomes overpopulated, the fish will be the first to go. Large fish - especially koi - often are the most vulnerable.

Many plants will have bloomed during the summer season and if you haven't carefully kept dead leaves pulled and flowers removed when spent, these elements will rot in the water and create excessive acid and muck. A good cleaning with a pond vacuum will help. Daily inspections and cleaning will avoid much of this build-up. And don't be surprised if your pumps or other equipment need attention. Only the most expensive machinery continues to operate without a hitch more than a few years - and even the most expensive can sometimes disappoint.

In short, the best way to keep your water garden the delight it should be at this time of year is by regular care. If you have a heavily planted pond like I do, you will have to attend to it daily. If you have a fountain that is out of the sun, your care will be minimal. I find the results are well worth the effort.

If you don't already have one, before you decide to add a fountain or pond to your landscape, consider well its location and the amount of time and effort you are willing to invest in its upkeep.