PONDS
I sure love to build ponds, both formal and natural. And I take great pains to hide all pipes, pumps, and pots, so you can enjoy the great sights and sounds of clear, bubbling water. Brooks and waterfalls make it all the better!
|
Formal, raised ponds fit nicely into tighter spots next to entrances and decks, where they provide great interest to you and your visitors throughout the day. Because of their raised, vertical sides, and apparent depth, they seem to offer goldfish great protection from curious and hungry raccoons.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Natural or informal-style ponds take a free-form shape, and are usually lined with beach rock, blending into the surrounding landscape as if they'd been there forever. |
|
| |
|
|
|
Waterfalls can be quiet little sheets of water, or dramatic, multi-level features like the one to the left, visible at quite a distance. The pond to the right is in my Japanese garden, done in limestone to match my foundation and retaining wall. Fall leaves have fallen into the falls! |
|
Before and After
|
Here's a before and after we did last summer. This is an Aquascapes system, with skimmer and biofalls. I put a little pond right against the deck, so they can look right down on the fish. A 10' brook, crossed with a flagstone bridge, leads to the big lower pond. The lilies haven't grown in yet. The water should stay that clear with good aeration, and no fish food put in.The fish happily eat algae off the rocks, and bugs that land. |
|
|
