ARTICLES: Water Features in the Garden
Water Features in the Garden
Every garden needs a water feature. The water feature can be a pond, a fountain or perhaps just a mister in a birdbath. The sound of water falling relaxes us and adds a dramatic element to the garden.
The ornamental garden pond usually has fish and plants, so it becomes the focal point of the garden with fish darting about through the splashing waterfall and tropical water lilies swaying above the surface of the water. After a hard day at work, watching the pond inhabitants and listening to the waterfall can wash the day’s troubles away.
A fountain is usually a piece of statuary, perhaps a classic Greek or Roman statue or a tiered structure that water is pumped through and falls down into a basin at the bottom. Most fountains are self contained and need only to be brought home and placed in the garden.
Building a pond is easily done by the do-it-yourselfer in a few days, often over a weekend. Materials are available at local aquatic nurseries or at online suppliers. You need a butyl liner, a pump and flat rocks to hide the sides of the liner and make the waterfall. The most expensive part of building a pond is labor, so if you can do some research online, you can have a great pond and waterfall for much less money than if you hire a professional.
An online search for “How to build a pond” will bring you results with drawings and photos to give you ideas and directions.
If you do hire a professional, by all means, make sure the pond builder has experience. So many so called pond builders see an opportunity for fast money and start trying to build ponds having no experience. And you, the consumer ends up with an ugly hole in the ground. The building process, while easy, requires some engineering and design ability.
Find a professional pond builder at your local aquatic nursery, in the telephone book or through referrals from friends. He will come to your house and talk to you about your needs and wants and give you an estimate of the cost of your pond. See his work and get references. Make sure he is insured and licensed through the state where you live. Get a contract that has a scope of work, what is included and importantly, what is excluded, states a start date and end date.
The pond or fountain is a wonderful part of your garden. After yours is installed, you will wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
Pools are great for everyone, esspecially in summer, you should think of getting one, inflatable pools. Enjoy above ground pools, ranging from frame to inflatable for your backyard.