When is the best time to plant in an aquatic environment?

Ponds and lakes are increasingly attracting for planting. We are interested in them as much for their richness in fish, the pure water or the presence of animals in the surroundings. Nevertheless, in an aquatic environment, the planting procedure is different from that which is done in the ground.

The same methods are not used, and planting methods follow different calendars. It is therefore important to know the best times to plant in these environments. At the same time, it will also be interesting to know what to plant, and how to proceed.

All in all, this information will allow you to optimize the cultivation of plants in the aquatic environment.

When should you plant in an aquatic environment?

It is essential to know in this specific case what is the best time for planting in an aquatic environment and what is the worst time. This will allow you to avoid calculation errors.

Seasons unsuitable for planting in an aquatic environment

Plants necessarily need enough time to get used to the environment to be able to develop properly. It is therefore not advisable to cultivate during the fall or winter.

The plant risks dying with the first frosts which are quite unpredictable. However, there are some exceptional plants that can survive these periods well. This is the case with bank plants that flower perfectly when planted in the month of autumn.

The best seasons for planting in an aquatic environment

As for the other plants, it is best to grow them between April and August. This will give the pond time to thaw completely so that it is ready enough to welcome the new plants.

Be sure to play with planting heights both above and below water level so plants can benefit from great stem and root depths. This detail is very important even when the period is adapted.

What are the techniques for planting in an aquatic environment?

There are several techniques that will allow you to plant effectively in an aquatic environment. These include basket planting, planting in the depth of the water point, and planting with the creation of banks.

All of these methods have a lot in common. They must necessarily take into account the optimal immersion of each of the plants.

First, place a geotextile felt at the bottom of the baskets. The bottom will act as a support for the culture at the bottom of the water points or during the creation of banks.

Then, you will have to put potting soil 10 to 15 cm high and place your plant there. Make sure during planting that the collar is at the same level as the surface of the soil.

When it comes to creating the banks, you can combine potting soil with garden soil. After planting, use pebbles so that the soil does not spread in the pond to form a mud.

After this step, gently put the baskets in the water, this will promote appropriate acclimatization. But be very careful with plants on the banks, their foot can very quickly end up dry during evaporation in summer.

You will therefore have a lot of work with these plants in the summer, since they require regular monitoring of the water level. For possible absences, you can create bank filling systems to keep the water at a good level.

To keep your plants in good condition, when winter approaches, arrange the planting containers in the depth of the pond. This will prevent plants that cannot tolerate frost from surviving.

What to plant in an aquatic environment?

Now that you know what time of year you can plant and how you can do it, it's important to know what types of plants are suitable for this environment.

First of all, it is advisable to opt for plants with different heights (above ground). It is also recommended to use oxygenating or filtering plants which will be much more suitable for your pond. They will be used to give a clear appearance to the water.

If you want to have a pool with enough colors, you can also have all kinds of aquatic plants such as water lilies in your aquatic environment.

oxygenating plants

Oxygenating plants grow very quickly, but contribute to the imbalance of the ecosystem of your water point because of their release of carbon dioxide at night. So avoid covering a large part of your pond with these types of aquatic plants.

These plants are more suitable for stable ponds, with enough microorganisms. Also, if a pond is full of algae, it is best to avoid introducing these plants. It is best to wait until April or June to plant the oxygenating plants. Be sure to diversify them though.

Recommended types of oxygenating plants

There are several varieties of oxygenating plants. You can mainly find water buttercup, water pesse, watermilfoil, swamp hottonia, waterweed, or pondweed.

• Aquatic buttercup: Ranunculus aquatilis from the Ranunculaceae family is very effective in the aquatic environment. It is buoyant and has beautiful white flowers from June to August. Its effectiveness increases in winter and spring.
• The pesse d'eau: this plant of the hippuridaceae family is identical to a Christmas tree. It acclimatizes slowly in bodies of water. However, its culture is possible in a basket and it remains suitable for above-ground ponds.
• Watermilfoil: fish love it. It has green foliage that turns reddish in the fall. It is quite resistant to cold, and can quickly become bulky. You can plant it in a basket or leave it floating.
• The marsh hottonia: it belongs to the primulaceae family. It is quite robust and is able to withstand an above-ground presence. Pretty flowers make up this plant. Its only downside is that it doesn't acclimate quickly enough.
• Waterweed from Canada: the development of this oxygenating plant is rapid. Very hardy, it remains insensitive to the cold, and can be planted in a basket. It will follow perfectly in winter, so treat yourself.
• Pondweed: it has yellowish green ears, is very invasive. It is best to culture it in large ponds.

Conclusion

Growing plants in an aquatic environment is very tricky, but not impossible. With these tips, techniques and a bit of goodwill, you will be able to grow the plants and watch them develop.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments! We will be happy to guide you!