CONTACTS 
|
FRIEND OF LAVISTA PARK
|
DOCUMENTS
may open pdf files
|
|
|
Home > Leaf Talk > Animals > Ponds, water features, fish and more ... > For A Wonderful Water Garden—Take These Steps
Leaf Talk
For A Wonderful Water Garden—Take These Steps
Started February 25, 2009 @ 10:00pm by raymond
 |
Post Message |
raymond
Administrator
Posts: 114 |
|
|
| For A Wonderful Water Garden—Take These Steps | February 25, 2009 @ 10:00pm | For A Wonderful Water Garden—Take These Steps
There is no element you can add to a landscape that is more transformational than water. It's artwork if done right. Not even fire is so pleasing or dramatic in your yard as a well-planned waterfeature.
Homes lakeside or streamside always command bigger prices because of the atmosphere and the view. Even that most fantastic waterfeature will be more economical than pulling up roots to relocate beside a creek, river or lake.
As we begin to envision the magical sights and sounds of water in our yards, let us dream big while we moderate our wildest dreams so that they mesh with the architecture and design we already have. (And our budgets.)
A small waterfall near an entryway can be all that's needed to give drama to a cute bungalow or row house. A small pond and waterfall in the middle of a large open yard can look out of place. But, a large meandering stream with waterfalls and a bigger pond can really make a transformational difference in a landscape. The more it blends in character with the surroundings, the better. (And, optimally, the more like nature rather than man-made the better.)
A point of caution before we move on into specifics—a formal yard with sheared hedges and lots of lines and angles may not be the place for a natural looking waterfeature. But, there are formal waterfeatures that are awesome all the same in their own way. Or, an outdoor room or nook can be the setting of a private naturalistic little waterfeature set in the landscape in such a way as to go unnoticed until one ventures into that private spot. Such can be lovely low-budget water gardens.
Now, let us try to maximize the pleasure if we are going to build a watergarden.
We should, of course, integrate our proposed waterfeature with the architecture of the landscape.
I'm thinking, we want to put it where we can see it from various angles and viewing points. Once I built a hillside stream with a frontyard pond that greeted visitors, and it was easily visible from the kitchen and the master suite. It was also placed for maximum impact upon visitors ringing the doorbell. The surprise not even calculated when I built the lovely waterfalls and pond was that it could be seen reflected in the mirror in the master bathroom. What a nice way to greet the day! (Or romantic way to put the night to bed.)
Prime locations for a watergarden may be beside a pool, patio, deck or gazebo. Places we frequent and places we relax.
If sufficient money is alloted to it, a waterfeature can be created that fits in not as things exist, but by building the waterfeature we dream of and altering the landscaping and plantings such that the new project does indeed blend and feel "like it's always been there".
Location is but one aspect of building a wonderful watergarden. Let's consider other important points.
What size do you want? Is there sufficient funds? Can you do it yourself? Should you contract to have it done?
How do you best make those decisions? Can it be done in stages? What else should you be mindful of?
Sunny location or shady—which is preferrable? Well, water clarity and natural look call for shade, or at least small trees or tall grasses on the perimeter somewhere. Water lily's need about six hours of sun to bloom reliably. But, big trees shed leaves or nuts, which can cause a mess.
Some of both sun and shade is probably ideal.
So many articles I have read say never to locate a pond under a large tree. I would counter that argument in a heartbeat by saying never build right out in the middle of the yard where there are no trees or landscaping. (And if you insist, plan on planting some small trees or something to naturalize the project.)
Having read all the books about locating ponds away from trees, having seen so many ponds with a bunch of flat coping stones resembling a "ring of pearls", such thinking needs a jolt into what is natural and how it can and will work some better way.
Natural is better in most cases. In nature, how many waterfalls come from a man-made "volcano" in the middle of nowhere? How many natural ponds are on "high ground"?
Blend your waterfeature in. I love to visit mountain streams for inspiration. Study and emulate nature in the creation of your backyard watergarden.
Size should be somewhat to scale with the surroundings. To my mind, the surroundings can also be changed if need be to create the view and the effect one desires!
Depth? Well, almost nowhere are there regulations against ponds up to two feet deep. So, a pond with maybe 150 square feet of surface and varying in depths from a few inches to two feet is fairly typical of residential ponds. Maybe koi aficionados would argue for three feet, five feet, some even more.
You can probably have what you want. Maybe a permit would be required. And your budget may corral your dreams into something called "reality".
Could or should you build your own dream watergarden? Perhaps if it is fairly small and simple or you are a creative person who has tackled previous landscaping and home improvement projects successfully in the past.
For a high quality project on a sizable scale it would be advisable to hire someone.
Who do you hire then? What materials are desired for the project? What should you expect?
Well, as to materials; simple, but of good quality. The latest and fanciest is not necessarily advised. Rubber should be used with underlayment. 45 mil is standard thickness. A quality pump that will yield enough gallons per hour of water flow to give the look and sound you want. A waterfall box with filter materials, and by all means a SKIMMER.
Don't buy any kit of materials that doesn't contain a skimmer, or hire anyone that has not installed one before!
Without a skimmer, you'll be missing the advances made in water gardening over the past two decades. The advances that propelled watergardning into the mainstream of modern landscaping.
What else? I would suggest you ask to see pictures or actual projects done by the person you might consider contracting with if you decide not to tackle the project yourself. If your yard mowing guy or your local handyman has never built a wategarden before—you certainly don't want to turn him (or her) loose with thousands of dollars in pond kit materials.
Building a watergarden may take a bit of a leap in faith. It should not be blind faith. Ask for references. There are organizations such as the International Professional Pond Contractors Association (IPPCA) that rate experienced water garden professionals. Also, will you feel good with the crew who will spend from 40 to over 100 hours laboring in your yard?
Temporary workers are not who you want building your dream waterfalls and pond. The creative artistic work of your contractor will be even more critical to a lovely end result than the quality of the materials used to build your new watergarden.
Before we conclude, you don't want to fear complications to the project; such as, a patio, a gazebo, a bridge, a seating area on the other side. Consider adding some planting beds, some new trees, maybe some new outdoor lights and a firepit. Give thought to some of these items even if you only want to do one thing currently. A master plan, a bubble drawing, a rough
sketch, it's always good to see the big picture as you add new elements to your yard.
Don't forget to plan for the landscaping of your new watergarden. A new waterfeature can be sited in the perfect spot where no additional landscaping is called for. That's a rare situation. Be mindful that if you picked a great spot for the waterfall and pond you won't want the new landscaping to grow in and obstruct that great view.
Watergardens are lovely low maintenance additions to any yard if they are done well. Certainly they are popular. And water features will add value to your home, not to mention beneficial relaxation and the enjoyment that come with a pond and waterfall. Some things have an intangible value and reward you really can't put a price tag on.
Max Phelps,
www.rockcastles.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
