Plant Gardens 101

You have probably realized that ponds are not exactly cheap to build. However, there are some ways to cut down on the costs and still have a pond that looks great.

How to build a pond without spending too much:

1.Find the right location in your backyard. Avoid areas under trees where leaves will fall into the pond. You want to be able to see your pond from your house so put it near a window or deck with a view.

2.Buy a small kid pool in the shape and size you want your pond to be. You can get these for less than 10 dollars, and it’s a great cheat for how to build a pool easily. You can also usually find these in great shapes that will make your pond very pretty. Some of them are fish, stars, or seashells. (more…)

Ponds no matter what the size is can make any garden look really elegant. You will find that these various ponds can be shown to great effect with the use of well planned out landscaping ponds which take advantage of this garden revamping will benefit greatly. Since there different styles which can be used to make a garden look great you may want to see some of the many styles of ponds which are available.

Now just having a pond in your garden will not make your garden look fantastic. The trick to this great look is to have the appropriate landscaping ponds will need to have plants which can grow well in soil that is somewhat damp. Additionally you should choose water plants which will blend in well with the rest of the plants in your garden. (more…)

Foggers (or misters, they are called both) create mysterious, “dry ice” effects without the need of ice. These little machines use a simple technique of high frequency, ultrasonic vibration to create ultra-fine droplets of mist without heat, cold or chemicals. Sometimes these are sold as a single unit, while other times they are sold on floats of up to 9 units working together. The single units are the right size for small fountains but usually are too small for a pond. Ultrasonic misters create a low level fog that fills in the area surrounding it. That is why the glass bowls in which one often sees them fill so well (they are made to be just the right size). For ponds you will usually need a 3-piece to 9-piece mister to create much of an effect. Also, since misters require a certain depth of water in order to operate effectively, it is a good idea, when locating one in a pond, to make sure you get a float with it. The mister is made to fit to just the right depth in the float so that fog is produced at optimum levels. When this is the case, they can produce up to about 2700 ml (nearly 5 1/2 pints) of mist per hour. Some include LED lights, some do not. Also, recently some have included automatic shutoff switches. There automatically shutoff the mister if the water gets too low. (more…)

Some Basic Kinds of Algae

Algae is natural in your pond. And it is beneficial. But to a point. As noted by Kasco Marine, there are several basic kinds. Planktonic algae are essential, single-celled plant forms occurring worldwide. A healthy pond needs this form of algae as a food source. Filamentous algae is typically found at the surface of ponds in “greenish mats.” This kind of algae has little if any value to your pond and looks scummy. The third major kind of algae is attached-erect algae. The fourth kind to be mentioned here is blue-green algae, probably the worst when it comes to pond scum.

Costs and Benefits

Algae is beneficial to ponds, as it provides a food source; in fact, pond owners who desire to raise trophy bass sometimes fertilize their ponds to keep planktonic algae production high. But algae poses several problems, too. For one thing, too much of certain kinds of algae is plain ugly. For another, too much algae is unhealthy. Photosynthesis requires sunlight, and algae blocks it. During the photosynthesis process when plants use sunlight and carbon dioxide to produce food, they give off oxygen. (more…)

Choosing a Pond or Fountain Light: LED or Halogen?

Basically, there are two kinds of lights available for ponds, halogen lights (which have been around for quite a while), and LED, which are more recent developments. Here are some differences between the two. Note that here we are addressing 12volt systems only.

Some advantages of LED:
Focused light, solidly built and hard to break, durable Last twice as long as best fluorescent bulbs and 20 times longer than incandescent bulbs LEDs also are more efficient per watt, produce greater lumens per watt than incandescents or halogen bulbs. LED fountain lights can be built in a number of colors so do not require a filter, which greatly reduces efficiency of light. Finally, LEDs run cooler and are less likely to warm the pond or for their seals to get damaged because of the cooler running temperatures. (more…)

Hi, today I will show you how to build a water pond by yourself.

The first thing you need to do is, ask yourself where you want to put the pond. It should be in a place where you see it instantly upon entering the yard. You may also choose to install it at the back of your back yard. By installing the pond in the back portion of your yard, you will make the yard look deeper. I recommend installing the pond where it can be visible from the house at almost any angle. The second step is to pick the liner for your pond. You can choose a pre-formed liner or a soft liner. For this article we will discuss using the pre-formed liner. This liner is more durable, easier to install, and easier to clean. You have to choose the form before digging so you will have the exact shape and the depth of the hole. Now that you know how big, how deep, and where your pond is going to be, you may need to check with local housing authorities to ensure your plans conform to established zoning rules. Better safe than sorry! When this is complete, it’s time to dig. Trace the form of your pond on your lawn and measure how deep you will have to dig. Be sure to dig two inches deeper than the depth of the pond liner. To fit your liner properly, put two inches of sand in the hole before inserting your liner. This will provide a much better fit, while at the same time protecting the liner from rocks. (more…)

Backyard ponds and water gardens are great for relaxation and are attractive additions to any yard. Keeping the water clean is often done by filters, but there are natural methods you can use to make your filter more effective at keeping your pond fresh. These methods also help to improve the physical appearance of your pond.

Add Water Lilies – One thing that you can do to help keep your pond looking great without putting all the pressure on your pond filters is to add water lilies to your pond. Although water lilies are well known for being so amazingly beautiful, believe it or not, they also are great for keeping your pond clean as well. Water lilies will easily spread out across your pond, and if you keep at least half of your pond covered with water lilies, or another similar plant, it can help to get rid of that funky green water that is such an eyesore. (more…)

If you have a pond, you will need to know how to keep the water clean. Small fountains have recirculating pumps which makes keeping the water clean much easier. Regardless of pond or fountain, it is useful to have a basic understanding of how to keep the water clean and balanced.

The term “biological balance” simply means establishing a healthy ecological balance between plants, fish, and other aquatic life in the pond. Various factors affect ponds, including the size and depth, the amount of sunlight or shade, water temperature, water movement, pollutants in the water, and the kind and number of plants and fish. Depending on how these factors affect your pond, it may take anywhere from several weeks to several months to achieve this balance. Once the pond water is balanced, it will remain relatively clear provided you don’t add fish, plants, or other pond life. Of course, if you do add any of these, you will need to take other measures to keep the water clear. Usually, you can do this just as you would with a swimming pool, by incorporating a mechanical or biological filter, using chemicals periodically, and routine cleaning.  (more…)

by Kristina L

Either still or moving, water creates a romantic mystique in almost any garden. Complete with fountain or waterfall, a garden pool heightens the allure of any garden setting, adding shimmering reflections and flashes of light, glistening movements and sounds of nature. Whether moving or still, water always draws the eye, so that it becomes a focal point in the garden. While contemplating the reflections of blooming water lilies or listening to the splash of a nearby fountain, you’ll derive hours of pleasure from a water garden. In a backyard or garden of any size, well-designed water features can turn an ordinary yard or garden into an attractive place to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

The water element may take many styles and forms, from a small, simple garden fountain with a basin to a large artificial pond fed by a recirculating stream and waterfall. The pond may be bordered with a sweeping brick patio or naturalistically edged with bog plants. Whether dining near a patio pool or strolling along the border of a fish-stocked pond, you will appreciate the moods that water creates. When you view a quiet pool on a warm summer’s day, the stillness elicits a feeling of tranquility. The reflections of flowers, leaves, birds, and sky harmonize with the surrounding landscape. Gentle ripples break the water’s surface as a breeze plays over the pool, and the glint of gold catches your eye as fish dart beneath the lily pads. (more…)

The art of garden never fails to transform an idle tract of land into a beautiful and lively environment. Gardens feed the spirit’s longing for beauty and grace as it provides a venue to witness the wonder of nature and the comforts of home. While plants and trees are enough to make a garden delightful, the landscape can surely be enhanced by installing garden décor.

There are many types of garden decors each having unique features and purposes for your garden. Here are some garden decors:

Arbors, Pillars, and Gazebos - these are large structures that can add a good focal point to your garden. Having large structures can create an illusion of having a large space. These structures can also serve as platforms for aerial plants. Climbing foliage such as vines may also cling to these platforms, creating an elegantly classic garden effect. (more…)