Fountain in the Children’s Garden in the Conservatory

photo credit: unforth

Water Curtain

photo credit: unforth

Lotus in a Pond

photo credit: Sudhamshu

Morning Glory

photo credit: sherrattsam

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What you Need to Know About Landscaping Ponds

The first step is to actually plan your pond. The primary consideration for a pond will be location, and you will need to figure a few things out before you can decide on one location or another. For instance, you will need to decide whether you want a small pond in a secluded corner of the yard or maybe you want it to be the centerpiece of the design.

You will also need to take into consideration where the sun rises and sets in your backyard, so that you can ensure the pond will get a decent amount of sunlight during the day, particularly if you are planning on making it a large part of the overall design and including chairs or stools for people to sit on, for instance.

If you are including plants or fish in your landscaping ponds then you are really going to have to consider the sun aspect, as they both need a certain balance of sunlight and shade during the day. Although trees will generally be able to provide a reasonable amount of shade to your pond, they are going to cause you more hassle in the fall months, when you are going to have to continuously skim dead leaves off of the pond.

You also want to figure out what purpose your pond is going to have. For instance you may just want to enjoy the relaxing and soothing sound of a waterfall in your landscaping ponds, or perhaps you want to raise fish or grow aquatic plants. By deciding beforehand the actual purpose that you would like your pond to serve, you will much more easily be able to determine the proper location for it.

Choosing pond plants is another important step here, and plants are truly essential to any pond, as they fight algae, give fish a hiding place against any predators, and as well add on to the natural beauty of your pond.

You really want to personalize your pond and make it your own but at the same time keep in mind all of the factors and issues discussed here.

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No landscape is all greenspace. In fact, hardscape is as much a part of the landscape as plants (known as softscape). There are many projects that can contribute to you landscape design, and make your home environment more pleasant. Additionally, it is also interesting to note that most hardscape landscape features are actually very useful and serve functions other than simple being nice to look at.

The most common hardscape features of most landscapes are the driveway and the walkways. These elements are almost necessary. The driveway provides a place for the homeowner to park his or her car, and the walkways are important in providing a place to walk without damaging the rest of the landscape. There are many different types of projects that can be accomplished when putting in a driveway or walkway. However, many people simply choose to use concrete. Other surfaces can be just as useful, and more attractive, though. For a driveway, gravel is low cost alternative to concrete. It can be annoying, however, as the small rocks tend to be transferred to other parts of the property. Asphalt can be used if you have a bigger budget. It will not wear as quickly as concrete, and it has more give. For walkways, you can create a very attractive walk by laying down flat stones. These look more natural, and they are less of an eyesore than are concrete sidewalks.

Other common hardscape features include decks and patios. These are great projects that serve a number of purposes, most notably being places where the home’s inmates can sit and enjoy their landscape. They also make great platforms for entertaining and outdoor cooking. Most patios are simply squares of concrete in the back yard. Decks, of course, come in all shapes and sizes. Some are built low and in the front, serving as porches, and others are built in the back and high, like a terrace. In any case, these projects can be tailored to fit the needs of the homeowner, and they also serve another purpose: to decrease the amount of lawn that needs to be maintained. A square shaped deck or patio element is easy to mow around, and it creates less maintenance work. Oddly shaped patios and decks may be more attractive and interesting, but they can also cause hassles in caring for the edges. When building these features, it is important to carefully consider the implications of the structure you build. Decks and patios are desirable also because they can be decorated in a number of ways, and according to the seasons. Lights, hanging baskets, and seasonal decorations all adorn decks and patios and make them more inviting.

Water features are often considered hardscape elements in the landscape. These are things like waterfalls and ponds. Even small ponds and waterfalls can make beautiful additions to any landscape. These can be professionally installed, or even installed one self. Not only do water features look beautiful and inviting, but they also offer soothing and cooling sounds. These features contribute to more than just the sense of sight; a water feature also creates beauty for the sense of sound.

Rock gardens are also often included in the category of hardscape. Even though many rock gardens incorporate softscape elements, they are mostly and distinctly hard. Rock gardens need less attention than flowerbeds and other types of garden. Additionally, the plants usually planted in a rock garden are hardier varieties that are designed for survival in more challenging conditions. Rock gardens also create an interesting part of the landscape and can even be augmented with addition of a water feature. These hardscape features are also very useful in odd corners and entryways. These are places that may be too small for grass, but that need a little dressing-up. A small rock garden can be just the thing.

Hardscape projects are an essential part of the landscaping. They are often very utilitarian, and they can be made to be quite attractive. Additionally, hardscape elements decrease the amount of space in the landscape that needs active and frequent care, allowing you more time to enjoy your yard. In addition to this, carefully planned and placed hardscape features can also save you money in maintenance costs.

 

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Above: Photo by William George.

Putting in a pond requires a great deal of physical labor to complete, even if you are using a kit. A hole still needs to be dug, and the proper components need to be placed. There is no easy way to put in a water feature. But, if you get a kit with step-by-step instructions, and you enlist the help of family and friends, it is possible for you to install your pond with relative ease and at a reasonable cost. There are even some companies that offer different customized solutions. These solutions include things like creating a cascading stream into your pond, or having a waterfall that is shorter or taller than the kit specifies. If you know that you have some specific needs, make sure you visit a specialty shop or buy your kit from a company that specializes in water features and can help you modify your kit appropriately.

There are a few components that your kit should have for proper installation of a water feature. These components include items such as skimmers, liners, pumps, filters, filter support tubes, liners, underlayments, check valves, PVC pipes, PVC glues and primers, rocks, bulkhead fittings, silicone, and bacteria to maintain the balance of your pond. Other things that many kits come with, and that are good to check for, are things like patch tape, waterfall stone, and skimmer bags. Many kits make use of expanding foam as well. Make sure that your kit has all of the items you need before you begin, or make sure that you know where to get items that do not come in the kit.

You kit should come with an owner’s manual and instructions. There are many kits that come with architectural drawings, and these can be very useful. If you have a kit with good illustrations, it can help you more effectively build your pond by allowing you to not only read about what you need to do, but to also see what you need to do. Make sure you read the instructions in their entirety before you begin. Also, make sure that you understand the directions. If there is something that you do not understand, contact the store that you bought the kit from, or contact the company that produces the kit. You should be able to get help from either of those sources. Make sure that your kit comes with a warranty and with support. It is worth it to pay a little more money for a kit that comes with expert advice and everything you need. Costs relating to redoing things, buying extra components, and getting replacement parts if you break something by putting it together wrong can really add up. Making sure that you have access to the manufacturer of the kit, or someone who gives explanations for free can save money, time, and headache further down the road.

A well-placed water feature can be a very pleasing part of your landscape. The running water makes a soothing noise, and it can be very relaxing to look at water. Water is one of those things that provide comfort and interest in many settings. Additionally, a water feature can attract birds and other wildlife to your yard and provide you with beautiful music and fascinating creatures to listen to and look at. Children love water features, and if properly supervised can learn to appreciate the water and find amusement for hours.

 

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