1. Does Springdale conduct classes and seminars?
2. When is the best time to visit Springdale Water Gardens?
3. Can our group visit Springdale?
4. Are there magazines available to the homeowner to keep me abreast of water gardening topics?
5. If I do not want to build a pond, how can I enjoy the sight and sound of water inside?
6. Will birds be attracted to my water garden?
7. Can I put turtles into my water garden?
8. Do water gardens attract snakes to my landscape?
9. What kind of lighting choices are available and around my water garden?

Does Springdale conduct classes and seminars?
Yes, we do. Seminars are held March through October. The Springdale seminar and demonstration schedule is included in our catalog, which is available upon request. We offer free programs that extensively cover many topics; such as construction of ponds and waterfalls, container and small-scale gardening, nightscaping, and general care and maintenance of the water garden. Each session lasts about 1½ to 2 hours and is held rain or shine unless exceptionally severe weather occurs.

When is the best time to visit Springdale Water Gardens?
Springdale is open year round. The best time to visit is from May through August for the peak flowering season. There are monthly seminars for those who need further education on water gardening topics. It is a great time to visit if interested in building a water garden.

Can our group visit Springdale?
We encourage groups to visit either on seminar days or any other day. Garden clubs, special interest groups and nurserymen groups are welcome. School age groups can receive age appropriate programs on topics related to wetlands and the water environment. From elementary age up, the instruction is fun and educational, a great way to teach young people about a very important part of their world.

Are there magazines available to the homeowner to keep me abreast of water gardening topics?
We know of two excellent magazines devoted to water gardening; Water Gardening Magazine and Pond and Garden Magazine. Both magazines are excellent resources for the water gardener. Check out their websites for them at www.watergardening.com and www.pondandgarden.com for subscription details.

If I do not want to build a pond, how can I enjoy the sight and sound of water inside?
There are other options available for people who don't want to or can't build a pond. There are tabletop fountains and indoor statuary pieces for small scale use. These are perfect for home or office applications where the sound of water is desired, but space is a consideration. Patio ponds are used indoors for making small gardens that can include plants and fish. Low light is an important consideration for indoor water features, limiting plant life to that which is tolerant of low light intensity. Many houseplants are suitable for in and around a water garden indoors and they are better suited to indoor lighting.

Will birds be attracted to my water garden?
Birds love a water garden because it keeps fresh water available for drinking and bathing. A pond also attracts and harbors insect life for birds to eat. Many birdwatchers install water gardens to keep the bird populations diversified.

Can I put turtles into my water garden?
Turtles are not recommended for the water garden since they are usually fish or plant eaters. A turtle that moves about in a water garden will break leaves and disrupt plant life. Fish eating turtles will stick around as long as there are fish to catch and eat. It is best to leave the turtles in their natural habitats.

Do water gardens attract snakes to my landscape?
Adding a water garden to the landscape does not necessarily mean snakes will soon follow. Snakes can be considered opportunistic; they will go where an easy food source exists. Water snakes (non-venomous) and garter snakes may enter a pond and eat fish. The best thing to do is to try to scoop the snake out with a net. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. The snakes are hard to get near and are quick to escape. Letting nature take its course and waiting for the snake to eat and leave may be the most logical approach. Incessant harassment will often convince a snake to seek shelter elsewhere. If the snake is seen, poking at it with a net or pole, or even over-turning a few stones to change their habitat might help. Be sure the snake is non-venomous before attempting to approach or capture.

What kind of lighting choices are available and around my water garden?
There are many different types of fixtures to choose from. Low voltage landscape lighting is used in and around a water garden to create numerous unique effects. There are underwater fixtures and out of the water fixtures for almost any lighting need. Some underwater fixtures can also be used outside of the water if recommended by the manufacturer.

For under the water, there are small, low wattage fixtures for use in a waterfall. There are underwater spot lighting fixtures for highlighting the entire pond, and there are low watt fixtures that glow in all directions. There is a floating light that glows in all directions like a bubble on top of the water.

There are numerous fixture choices for outside of the water garden such as path lighting, wall lighting and structural lighting. Another choice is lights hanging in trees to illuminate the water garden.