Water Garden Features

Pump up your backyard garden design with the sound of splashing water. The sounds of water garden features is an experience not to be missed. For instance, listen to the sound of running bath water and to the constant dripping of a tap – which can be annoying to say the least. However, if we change the word dripping to trickling and replace the word running with flowing then that is another kettle of fish (excuse the pun if you have a pond.)

If water garden features are to prove their worth to the eye and ears of the beholder, then choose your garden decor fountains with these two factors in mind – pretty to look at and nice to listen to.

Water garden fountains and backyard waterfall ponds are the most favorable amongst gardeners. Before engaging in the actual water garden construction you will need to remember – a backyard water garden will actually oxygenate and freshen the water with its constant ongoing movements. If you have fish in the pool of your water garden features, then they will love the lively waters – but live aquatic plants like lilies and lotus may suffer because of this. Water pond plants prefer a waters stillness and their growth may just be hampered in action packed waters.

Careful thought and planning behind your backyard water garden features will make your venture a whole lot easier. If you want a bit of both worlds (fish and plants) then this is certainly possible. Your water garden features can still be home to easy aquatic plants but instead of live aquatic plants on top of the water why not landscape surrounding areas with pretty shrubs – this can be very affective as well as cost effective because the plants that you will use will not be of a specific plant type, therefore cost you less.

Another suggestion is to create a small water feature as a mini replica of your feature to the side of the larger garden fixture, with no pump action and have floating plants there. Water movements are very important to give off an effect which is relaxing to listen too and attractive to look at. Circulating swirls are fabulous water moves.

Water garden features and water garden kits can be found from the best friend you could ever have when taking on the task of water garden construction – and that is a manual. It is a wise decision to have a DIY book with you at all times when undertaking these types of tasks. Home garden supply stores will have all the information you need. Garden centers will offer a complete line of water garden kits, backyard ponds kits as well as fish ponds kits, so you will have a variety to choose from.

Gardening books will also provide you with all you need, for instance, there are basically two types of fish pond pumps – the submersible pump and surface pump. The surface pump is usually enclosed in a container alongside the pool where a polythene tube is used to feed the fountain or waterfall. To undertake this installation is far less complicated than you may think.

If you choose the alternative method – then the water garden pump thats submersible is a lot simpler. Plumbing is reduced to a minimum. Submersible pumps are not visible to the eye. This type of pump can not be seen due to its location submerged under water. It also creates no sound.

Kali Winters is gardening enthusiast and author who spends much of her time teaching others how to setup and maintain beautiful, amazing gardens. Her latest book, “Holistic Herbs~A Beginners Guide to Herbal Gardening” is available Here! There you will find one of 12 free bonus books on Building a Backyard Pond….with instructions and pictures to help!

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Preformed Water Ponds

Location

Decide first what part of the backyard you want to have your garden fish pond situated before going out and buying anything. Select an area where it is far from the trees since many live aquatic plants, like lilies, need a sufficient amount of sunlight to grow.

Choose an area where there are no falling leaves that can make cleaning a nightmare. Do not place your pond on low areas either, since large volumes of rainwater might run off and accumulate in the pond during rainy seasons. Not to mention, the runoff water might contain fertilizers, pesticides, and other harmful materials.

Place your pond in an area where it can be best appreciated and seen. The sense of building a pond is for you to enjoy it. Select a location where it can be best viewed (i.e. the sitting area or a patio in the garden).

Types of Pond

After choosing where you want your pond to be located, it is now time to select what type of pond you want. The two types of pond are the following:

ABS plastic preformed water ponds are usually used for small ponds that can contain up to 250 gallons of water. This type of pond comes in a variety of sizes and shapes such as hourglass, rock gardens, and kidney. Waterfalls and formed spillways are also available.

Fish Pond Liners

A fish pond liners or liners are used for any size of pond. The sizes available are 10’ x 15’ to 20’ x 25’ or larger. This will allow you to build a pond to your preferred size either by using them individually or by connecting two or more pond liners together with a special adhesive.

Fish pond liners can be very heavy especially the larger ones. They are usually made of rubber. Using fish pond liners can be quite a fun and creative experience since this type will allow you to decide on the shape of your pond. However, you need to be aware that a 19’ x 26’ liner will not create a pond of the same size due to the depth and the extra material required for the overhang. Read further to see what I mean.

In choosing the proper size liner, it is imperative to know the width (W), length (L), as well as the maximum depth (MD) at their widest points. After which, use the formula L+(MD*2) by W+(MD*2).

This means that a 10 foot long by 5 foot wide by 2 foot deep pond may require a 14’ x 9’ pond liner so as to make an edge above the water level. It is important to let a professional pond developer help in determining the pond size liner you will need.

Dig It

Now that you’ve decided on the location and the type of fish pond, it is time to dig it. The average size of the pond is at least 18″ deep at its deepest point. However, 24″ is better. With this depth, the fish may be allowed to stay in the pond during winter months without freezing. Inclusion of planting shelves in the design will make it easier to place emergent lilies and plants.

Fish Pond Filters

After accomplishing the above tasks, it is high time for you to think about filtration. It may be better to ask your pond professional about this topic. Just keep in mind that whichever filter you choose, ensure that it is cleaned on a regular basis so that the water will remain clear. Utilizing a filter may also hinder the mosquitoes from making the pond their breeding ground.

All Set

And now, all you have to do is add your fish and you are good to go!

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Creative Water Gardens

A Landscape Masterpiece

A backyard garden pond is the kind of structure that can turn your average backyard into a landscape masterpiece. Water garden ponds often times are considered to be the centerpiece of a yard. As the variety of inexpensive water garden kits increase in the market, water garden features are becoming more popular to the public. Water garden ponds were only a luxury in the past for only those who could afford them. However, with the current landscape water features available today and with the efforts of home owners, building perfect landscaping water features has become a luxury for all.

Unfortunately, the rush of home owners to integrate ponds into their home landscaping, several DIY’ers have made mistakes. Building a backyard garden pond is not as easy as the market has made it out to be. There are several important factors to take into account before and during water garden construction. The following are some guidelines on how to build perfect landscaping water features the smart way. Remembering these key points will help in reducing those mistakes that DIY’ers usually make.

Tips and Tricks

First, let your backyard decide. The first question that comes to mind is where to place the pond? In most cases, home owners just find an open spot in their yard and immediately start working. The result? They still have their plain old backyard but now with a pond. Home owners have to integrate the pond into their existing landscape. Otherwise, the backyard water pond will fail to compliment the overall design and feel of the property. In situations like these, the presence of a pond can actually diminish the beauty of a homes landscape.

When considering water garden construction, take the time to pick out a design and suitable spot that will flatter the over all water garden design of your yard. Don’t just simply grab that shovel in and dig on the first spot you can find. Do a little research and if you still feel that your own judgment and creative water gardens design is not enough, ask some friends or family members to help you out. Remember two heads are better than one.

Second, consider the elements of your backyard. If you are considering breeding fish, you may want to rethink placing your pond in a shaded area. Warmth is an important element in maintaining the fish population. If the pond is placed near a tree, you may find yourself in a position where you are constantly cleaning leaves off the pond. The environmental surroundings of your backyard will have a great impact on the appearance and maintenance of the pond.

Last of all, size does matter. You need to make sure that the size of the pond will meet your goals. Some homeowners will build a small pond and place a variety of live aquatic plants and animals in it only to find out that the pond cannot satisfy the necessities of the plants and fish. Another thing to consider carefully is the depth of the pond. This is especially true for landscaping water features in colder climates and the ponds that contain fish. If the pond is built too shallow, it could freeze completely. Proper depth should always be considered when talking about size.

Building landscaping water features in your backyard can definitely make it more attractive. It is a great way to make outdoor living more colorful and enjoyable. If built correctly, it can add a certain luster to the beauty of a property and can ultimately raise the market value of the property. However, if done poorly, your backyard garden pond could become more stressful and ultimately present an incredible nightmare.

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How To Fish Ponds

A backyard water pond can offer a number of benefits. It can be cool and relaxing, visually appealing or it can provide the local wildlife a watering point.

For Starters

It is imperative to know the reason why you are building your backyard garden pond before the actual water garden construction. Some individuals just want to put in water garden ponds without considering the comfort and safety of the inhabitants of the pond. First evaluate the important aspects before even considering a water garden installation.

You can ask for advice from your local pond professional or read books that concentrate on fish ponds kits and the techniques of the actual water garden construction itself. Consult with your local pond contractor who will have experience in this particular field.

After you have your consultation, you may now begin to build your own outside fish pond following these planning stages:

Consider the location.

Choose a site where your pond will not be near existing large trees. The vantage point will prevent root problems as well as minimizing the hassle of falling leaves in your pond that may cause decay and poor water quality. Live aquatic plants such as water lilies need sunlight to grow. It is best to place your pond where it will be exposed to the sun for at least 6 hours per day. Too much sun can overheat during mid afternoon, usually between 11am until 3:00pm on hot summer days. A semi shaded area with a good amount of sunlight should be sufficient enough.

Temperature extremes should be minimized on the pond. If you intend on raising and breeding fish, it is important to make the pond as deep and as large as practical. However, deeper ponds may need to be fenced to prevent accidents.

Design with purpose.

Consider electricity to supply pumps, filters, and lights when designing your pond. It is also important to look into the water supply and drainage.

Ponds must have an overflow area (a place located below the rest of the pond height) to control where the excess water should go. Overflowing may be caused by overfilling the pond with water or from heavy rain.

Screen your overflow paths to prevent any escape of small plants, fish (and their eggs), and snails during water additions and heavy rainfall. This may also protect the local waterways from any possible escape. This is especially important if there are foreign fish in the pond.

Complete preparation requirements.

It is essential to clean and rinse ponds before use since fish and other water plants are sensitive to contaminants. “Curing” concrete ponds combined with water changes, scrubbing, filling, and painting with vinegar is also important.

Allow chloramines and chlorine to dissipate chemicals, especially if you used tap water to fill the pond. One can also utilize a commercial chlorine neutralizer from pet shops to solve this problem.

Ensure that all equipment such as fountains, waterfalls, filters, and lights are working satisfactorily before adding the fish and plants.

It is also better if you allow at least one week for the plants to settle in the pond before adding the fish. Clean up the pond regularly for dead leaves as this will add unwanted excess nutrients to the water and decay it as well.

Observe proper maintenance.

In general, keep the pond clean of fallen vegetation and dead leaves. The frequency of cleaning will depend on the amount of vegetation falling into the water and on the time of the year. Do the cleaning at the beginning of spring before the temperature of the water starts to rise.

Feed your fish and clean up the filters periodically.

Add water in the pond periodically. A normal garden hose will do. However, no more than 10-20% should be added at any one time because of the chlorine levels in tap water.

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Outside Fish Ponds

Aesthetics

Recently, one of the most popular backyard projects is adding water garden ponds or outside fish ponds to the yard. These projects, however, can only be achieved in larger yards that have walkways and large areas.

But if you are really set on creating your own outside fish ponds and yet you do not have a large back yard, there are design ideas that can be incorporated to place your pond in a location without having it take up too much space or dominate your yard.

Let your pond serve as the focal point of your backyard. Place it in the middle or in one corner of the yard if you have a small space. Make it appealing to the people walking around the house.

Location

If you wish to place it in the corner part of the yard, raise the pond a little higher so that the fish will become a surprise to visitors. But if you want to place it in the center, it is best if you place the pond at ground level or a little above it.

Fish Types

Make sure that the fish you house are colorful and lively enough to attract attention. Watching the fish swim around everyday can also be quite therapeutic. If you wish to maintain a small pond, do not house large fish such as the Japanese Koi. They may not live long enough in this type of environment and they are also extremely expensive. A gold fish pond is compatible with the size of your small pond, however, their longevity might not be a guaranteed in outdoor fish ponds.

Maintenance

Think how much you really want an outside fish pond and how you can maintain and build it depending upon your preferences. You might find that maintaining an indoor aquarium is difficult enough, think of the extra maintenance involved with outside fish ponds.

Consider the climate of your place. Water garden ponds and outside fish ponds are most applicable in tropical weather because of the advantage of the sun all year round. Some live aquatic plants need to be exposed to the sun to grow. The plants and fish may die if you let them stay in the pond during the winter months. It is best to transfer them to an indoor tank if the weather is not applicable.

Outside fish ponds in your own backyard only tells an individual how much energy, time, and money you are willing to devote to the beautification of your backyard. It does not matter how large or how small it is, it just goes to show that you appreciate beautiful things. You will not only impress a lot of people but yourself as well. A backyard garden pond brings a luxurious and relaxing feeling to any surrounding.

In order to make outside fish ponds more appealing, decorate their surroundings. Landscaping the pond will attract frogs and birds which will only add to the overall natural feeling. If you cannot afford landscaping projects, hanging plants and flowering bushes will also do. This will produce a great ambiance to your visitors and guests.

Creating outside fish ponds is not a go-get-it-and-have-it project. You have to maintain and preserve their beauty time and time again. Make sure to add water to it periodically. It is also important that you get rid of fallen leaves as this will cause decay and an unpleasant appearance.

Last of all, consult your local pond professionals before you start your water garden construction yourself. Do not hesitate to ask questions as this will only benefit the inhabitants of outside fish ponds.

Learn How to Build A Backyard Fish Pond!
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Backyard Centerpiece

Homes with waterfront views and accents are admired by many. This is because being around water offers a feeling of beauty, allure, and serenity. Creating your own water garden features in your backyard, such as outside fish ponds, will also add to that visual appeal. Bring your yard to life with the soothing sounds of water in motion. Make your backyard water garden the focal point.

However, there are some considerations before starting water garden construction:

Climate

Consider the climate of your area. If you live in an area to the north where your winters experience snow, then it is best if you make outside fish ponds deeper since the fish tend to hibernate at the bottom of the pond and naturally stop eating when the water temperature goes below 45 degrees.

If you live in a location where the pond will completely freeze over, it is imperative that a hole be created in the ice to help the fish survive. In this case, live aquatic plants should be removed and placed indoors since they may not survive the cold temperature.

Water Garden Filters

Consider the filtration system of your pond. There is what you call natural filtration where filtration is provided by the natural motion of the moving waters. If this is the case, then you probably don’t need a filter for your backyard garden pond, considering the design of your system and the climate of your area.

However, to know what is best for your backyard garden pond, consult a pond professional concerning filtration. There are cartridge filters and biological filters available from shops that provide fish pond supplies.

Now, to get your backyard garden pond started:

First step. Make intelligent decisions by educating yourself.

Do not push the task of water garden construction or pond building
without knowing the essentials first. Know what equipment requirements are needed. Find out if your yard is appropriate to hold decorative garden accessories. Is the climate compatible with your pond? Are you up for the regular maintenance it needs? Take into consideration the availability of supplies such as electricity, filtration, and water. Decide what type of pond you are willing to make, is it a small one? Or large backyard ponds?

Second step. Decide on the location of your pond.

Locate your pond in an area where the sun will be able to shine on it. Do not place it under the trees since it will cause a cleaning nightmare due to the falling leaves. Do not place your pond where runoff water tends to overflow. These will accumulate in your pond making it dirty and murky.

Determine the depth of your pond. The average depth of a backyard garden pond is usually between 18″ to 24″. Make the outline of your pond and start digging it. Create steps in order to provide easy access to the pond during maintenance. These steps will also be perfect for holding potted plants just above the water. Make sure that the bottom is leveled as you dig.

Third step. The appropriate sized fish pond liner.

In order to get the correct size for your fish pond liner, take the
width of your pond and add twice the depth of the pond, then add 24 more inches. Measuring the length is done by using the similar formula. Now, drape the liner over the pond. Arrange it and place stones around the edges.

Fourth step. Fill it up with water.

Start filling the pond with water. Fold large creases neatly and remove wrinkles as you fill the pond with water to make the creases less noticeable.

Fifth step. Install the required equipment.

After filling it up with water, place filters, pumps, and add lights to the pond. Connect them to the electrical supply. Then add your fish and plants, and you are ready to go!

Enjoy!

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Tweaking Your Backyard Garden Pond

A backyard garden pond is not just for rich individuals. Nowadays, even the simplest homeowner can make their own backyard garden pond as luxurious as the any wealthy estate. Once you get your backyard garden pond set up, it will provide both fun and enjoyment. It also provides a dwelling place for the fish, wildlife, live aquatic plants and flowers. It is a relaxing hobby that not only provides relaxation but appreciation of Mother Nature as well.

Plan Ahead

Building your own backyard garden pond may not be extremely difficult, but thorough planning should be considered during water garden construction. The hardest part in building water garden ponds is digging the hole. It all depends on what type of soil your region has. This determines how easy or how strenuous the digging part would be. The size and shape of the pond depends on your preferences. It can be a small, preformed water pond or one that needs a fish pond liner that can hold up to seven thousand gallons of water.

Location

Consider the location of your pond. Where would it be best seen? Picture yourself sitting outside. What location grabs your eye the most? Consider these important elements. Is the water source situated nearby? Is your pond’s location a flat area? Is an electrical supply available? Keep in mind that these are just some of the questions that need to be answered.

Equipment

Building a backyard garden pond of any size requires a complete set of tools. In water garden construction, one must need a water pump, a UV filter, a pond filter, and some pond plants among others. Additional must haves are the following: a fish pond liner of appropriate size, an air diffuser, pond lights, a skimmer, the aquatic animals, and fish food.

Cost

Another thing to consider in water garden construction is the cost. Initially, constructing and maintaining the pond could be quite expensive, that is with out a doubt. But there are now cheaper do it yourself backyard ponds kits available in the market. Once it is finished, the enjoyment it brings is well worth it. Another plus for the backyard garden pond is that it turns an oh-so-boring piece of land into a place of beauty. It works best if you have the proper landscape to go with your pond. Make your pond the centerpiece of your back yard. However, because of too many do-it-yourself homeowners, they usually make mistakes. Following these guidelines may help you avoid the pitfalls of do it yourself backyard pond disasters.

Initially, it is important to incorporate your pond into the current landscape of your backyard. This works best for amateur landscapers who just want to get right down to work. Do not let your pond detract the beauty of your yard. Make it fit so that your pond will not feel out of place.

To Sum It Up

Integrate your water garden design into your landscape. Do not make it lavish if you have a very simple backyard. Take time to choose the design that will flatter the overall landscape. Secondly, think of the essential requirements of a pond. Do not place your pond in complete shade since this will hamper the amount of sunlight your pond gets. Aquatic animals and plants need ample amount of the warmth of the sun. Finally, size does matter. Plan the size of your pond. Do not house too many fish in a small pond. Experiment with a variety of live aquatic plants. A backyard water garden will provide luster and relaxation to your yard as well as increase your property’s value. Make your backyard more attractive and enjoyable by adding a backyard garden pond.

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Home Garden Supply

Because gardening has evolved into such a popular activity, home garden supply products are not hard to come by. You can buy outdoor garden decorations in various stores or nurseries, or you can order your home garden supply online or from catalogs. A gardeners products can range from equipment too fertilizer or to the actual plant itself.

You will obviously need the basic home garden supply no matter what you are planting, such as a hoe, spade, and maybe even a shovel. You must have watering supplies, like a water hose and perhaps a sprinkler. Other possibilities include a spade, a pot (if you are container gardening), and a pair of gloves for comfort, some secuturs, or a rake. When first starting a garden you will definitely want some type of mulch or potting soil to get your soil ready. There are a few types of potting soil to choose from, including organic potting mix, seed starting potting mix, cactus potting mix, and root development potting mix, just to name a few.

Once you have your garden planted, you must have gardeners products so that you can add nutrients to the soil to ensure a healthy plant life. Miracle-Gro is one of the most popular growing enhancements for plants. There are many different types of Miracle-Gro to choose from and what type you choose will depend on what you are trying to grow. You will also want to add fertilizer, such as 10-20-10 or triple 13, depending upon the requirements of your soil.

If you are growing vegetables or herbs, you may need select garden products rather than the regular flower garden products. If you are growing tomatoes you will need a tomato cage and ties to protect the plants against the wind. Many plants, mostly vines, are designed to grow on structures and you will have to have a fence or trellis of some sort to hold it’s fruits.

Gardeners products are not limited to just the gardening necessities; they can also come in the form of outdoor garden decorations. There are decorative flower pots, sundials, plastic figurines, stones or bricks for a pathway or looks, and even lawn furniture. Decorative garden accessories will add to the charm and uniqueness of your garden and are an excellent way to give it a personal flair.

The winter months will bring a whole new set of home garden ideas to store shelves. When the frost hits, the prime place to put your plants are in a greenhouse. However, if you do not have a greenhouse for whatever reason, a tarp of some sort can be used to cover plants up at night. You also might need a light source, like a heat lamp, to keep plants warm and to provide them with extra light.

New and upgraded gardening products are always popping up on the market. It seems like every day there is some home garden supply necessity that claims to be bigger and better than the last. While many gardeners products are not a necessity, they sure make the job a lot easier and more enjoyable.

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