Landscape Ideas With Water Ponds
- A stream and pond combination adds beauty and whimsy to the backyard.man made pond image by Wimbledon from Fotolia.com
Adding a water feature to your backyard landscaping design can provide a sense of peace and comfort to the home. The versatility of water ponds allows for frugal and simple or elaborate aquatic features. Whether it is a simple pond with a few koi fish or a rushing water fall that you desire, a pond can be easily incorporated into the landscape. Once a water pond has been established, however, the possibilities of adding on ornamental features and extensions abound. - Purchase a liner, pump, and electrical cord to set up your new pond. Dig a hole of the approximate shape, size, and depth of the liner. Smooth the liner down into the hole. Install the pump, and hire an electrician to wire a new outlet if you do not have one convenient to the pond. Burying the cord underground is another option. Add some stone benches or chairs made from treated wood for relaxing by your new pond. Add a fountain or a simple bubbler found at the hardware store to enjoy the sound of running water. Plant reed grass around the pond to hide the edges of the liner.
- Dig out a narrow strip of land in the area where your stream is desired. Line the sides of the stream bed with 2 x 4s before covering the edges with rocks/stones. This will ensure a stable structure. This type of stream can be as elaborate or as simple as your preference dictates. Use one recirculating pump and two reservoir ponds for a trickling effect. The pump will recirculate the water up through a tube and down the stream bed. A slight downward slope of about 1 to 2 inches is all that is necessary to make a stream. Place several reservoirs made of concrete or stone in a downward sloping fashion for a rushing waterfall effect. Scatter smaller pebbles in the path of the stream bed for added authenticity. Plant fruit bearing shrubs and native grass along the sides of the stream to attract local wildlife.
- Dig out a figure eight shaped hole for a more elaborate effect when considering an aquatic pond. Build an underground plumbing system for larger ponds, or call a plumber if you do not have experience. Wait at least 8 to 12 weeks after you have installed your pond before introducing any fish, such as koi or goldfish, to the new environment. Aquatic pond plants will help to stabilize the environment by producing oxygen for pond life. Make a natural looking backyard water garden by adding plants to the banks of the pond. Spider lilies, wool-grass, and irises are all useful plants for this purpose. Add floating plants like pink water lilies, lilac colored water stalwart, and the water crows foot, which produces white flowers in the spring.
