A water feature can add value to your property, most people will decide on ponds but an alternative today is the use electrically driven water falls. As ponds are more common we will concentrate on these for now.
Cost is a key consideration and you will find the cheapest alternative and most reliable are the pre-cast plastic, which can offer different levels as you may wish to give your fish some variety. Pond liners or concrete are alternative option but can be more costly.
Most people will build a pond to keep fish, some may wish to have plants in their pond or both. Some may wish to have a water feature to attract other wildlife like frogs or turtles. However the choice of position of the pond is a very important decision.
You want to choose a point in your garden where the pond is offered some shade, but not at the expense of getting it covered with leaves or other debris, shading can be offered by various plants, you may even consider ornamental trees or some form of trellis fencing maybe covered with a plant.
If you are keeping fish you will need to consider some form of filtration and depth is a consideration if you are living in a cold climate, if you have only a few fish or plants you do not need anything substantial, but you should consult an expert once you decide the size of pond and number of fish you are thinking of keeping. You may have to ask more people than your landscape gardener.
If you decide to install plants in your pond then looking at a feature with different depths will give you a little more flexibility in the type of plants you consider. Plants need to be researched properly and this is one area landscape gardeners can offer help.As plants come in all shapes and sizes they grow at different depths and can even be free floating. Also the type of feed you will need to give each plant and the best season to plant it.
Once you have decided on the shape type and scheme for your pond you should find that most landscape gardeners are more than willing to help you decide the best place for your feature. One thing most people overlook once they have their pond up and running is algae control as the last thing you want is a green pond and dead fish.
Once installing your filter system a common approach is to place a UV steriliser in the system which is easily accessible for replacing. These generally are placed between the filter and the return line. If you decide on floating plants try and make sure your filter pump is not too strong that it sucks in and blocks your system, an easy thing to overlook.
Finally if you are planning to have fish in your pond you need to make sure the design does not give the local cat easy pickings! Having stones or rocks in selected positions can give your fish added protection and more stores that are accessed by landscape gardeners now offer a far wider variety and yes, your landscape gardener will know this so use them.
Enjoy your final creation.
Rob Stanley
