Landscape Ponds Add Focal Point To Exterior Design
Homeowners wanting their yard to be a showplace strive to work their landscape around a focal point with plantings, sculptures and walkways. One of the fastest growing trends are landscape ponds that can be created from scratch or with the help of pre-designed kits. The sizes available vary from tabletop size fountains to dimensions reaching 20, 30-feet or more. For smaller landscape ponds, pre-formed plastic is a simple alternative, however for larger, more elaborate designs liners or concrete is often used.
While large yards are usually the target for larger ponds, many smaller yards are beginning to present ponds in a variety of fashions. Using tiered grounds to simulate waterfalls and ceramic fountains to maintain water movement, the addition of landscape ponds can create interesting designs in a variety of areas.
Landscape ponds can take a variety of shapes, including a wall of water cascading down into a pool of rocks designed to resemble a spa. If the pool at the bottom remains open, it can house numerous styles of decorative stoneware or even live fish. However, the climate will help choose if landscape ponds are ripe for housing natural wildlife.
Aeration Important To Health Of Landscape Ponds
All landscape ponds will need to have a pump to move water through a filter to maintain its cleanliness and is often used to supply water to a fountain or to the top of a waterfall. Fountains help keep the water aerated, minimizing the habitat for mosquito growth as well as providing air for fish or underwater plants.
Maintaining a clean pond will not only add to the attractiveness of the feature, but also the health of surrounding plants and animals. No matter how hard a homeowner tries, wild animals such as birds and rodents will quickly identify landscape ponds as a source of drinking water. If the pond is not well maintained it can cause harm to the wildlife as well as any vegetation that is made part of the fountain showcase. . Continuous filtering will also be necessary in landscape ponds, even if there are no fish being kept. Leaves, dirt and other materials will find it way into the water and can quickly clog filters. This necessitates cleaning or changing filters frequently, as dictated by the amount of foreign material that gets into the pond.
As a rule of thumb for landscape ponds, keeping the water moving and filtered will allow it to function properly for years, providing the look wanted in exterior decoration.
The Beauty of Koi Ponds and Fountains
Koi are the beautiful Japanese fish that have been around for centuries. They are graceful creatures that live in ponds and other water formations and are highly prized for their size and colors. There are any varieties of Koi and many of these grow up to more than a meter long and live up to several decades.
Some people build their own koi ponds and fountains to suit their preferences while others employ the help of experts in making their koi ponds and fountains. The best thing to do if to study the fish first and their habitats and preferences before embarking on a do it yourself dilemma that can be left hanging or could cost you some money just because of your spur of the moment decision. Koi are sensitive fish that need care and attention so make sure you have the time to do this. Koi ponds and fountains will also need care and attention.
Building Koi Ponds and Fountains
The first thing to do when thinking of building koi ponds and fountains is to look for the right location. You must remember that koi do not like direct sunlight and ponds under direct sunlight also gather more moss. This competes with the koi for oxygen in the water so it is better to have a shady area for the pond or to put water lilies with big leaves floating on the water to ensure shade.
You must also consider a water filter unit and a good aeration unit for the pond. Man made ponds and pools need to be aerated artificially to sustain the fish. Koi ponds and fountains need a good water pump to keep the water moving sufficiently enough to have no stagnant water.
One thing to keep in mind when building Koi ponds and fountains is that Koi can grow rather large and you must give a great margin for their growth especially if you intend to keep them for a long time. Each Koi can grow up to a meter long and live up to more than 50 years.
Regularly check the chlorine of the water in the pond since this is dangerous to fish and so are other chemicals and elements in the water. Koi ponds and fountains are very attractive to fishing birds so it is best to make the pond a little deeper than what wading birds can stand up in. Herons and egrets can eat a lot of koi in one sitting so it is best to safeguard from them.
The Art Of Swimming Pool Landscaping
You just fulfilled your dream of putting a swimming pool in your backyard, and you can already envision the amazing pool parties and neighborhood get-togethers that will fill your summer weekends for years to come. Only one thing stands between you and your first big party: the challenge of landscaping your swimming pool area. Staring at the blank canvas of yard around your pool can make swimming pool landscaping seem like a daunting task, but if you follow these easy tips, your poolside will be gorgeous.
Swimming Pool Landscaping Begins With The Right Fence And Decking
Fencing a swimming pool is a major safety precaution that every pool owner needs to follow. In fact, many cities require fences as a part of getting a swimming pool permit. Since your fence will be a major focal point around your pool take the time to choose one that will look attractive next to your house and provide a great backdrop for swimming pool landscaping. Don’t make the mistake of placing your fence too close to your pool, or you won’t have room to place plants around your pool.
Depending on the type of pool you have, the way that you surround your pool will vary. Above ground pools often have wrap around wooden decks and in ground pools are often wrapped in cement sidewalks or flagstones. Choose decking that compliments the shape of the pool, type of fence surrounding it, and the type of swimming pool landscaping you want to pursue.
Swimming Pool Landscaping And Plant Choice
When you are landscaping your swimming pool area, sometimes the plants you don’t choose are as important as the plants you do choose. Many people like the idea of shade around the pool, but planting trees around the pool means you will be cleaning leaves out of the pool on a regular basis. If you want shade choose evergreen shrubs, such as junipers and you will have a cleaner pool.
It is very tempting to plant highly fragrant or flowering shrubs next to your pool. As beautiful as a flowering bush can be, it can also be a haven for bees. If you don’t want to deal with bee stings at pool parties, skip the types of shrubs that attract these insects.
A great way to bring foliage near your pool, with the ability to keep things portable, is to plant shrubs and annuals in containers and spread them out around your swimming pool.