The Pond In Your Yard
July 18th, 2012 | Author: admin
Waterfalls are quite mesmerizing and have been a source of amazement and inspiration for as long as humans have been around to view them. We generally think of waterfalls as grand, natural wonders that only Mother Nature is capable of building. That is certainly the case of those falls on the scale of Niagara Falls, Yosemite Falls or any of the other waterfalls dotting the landscape along the Colorado River as it flows through the Grand Canyon. And to some extent this image is true. Waterfalls are natural wonders that have been created over millions of years of the geological evolution of our planet. There are many
examples of man-made water falls but these pale in comparison to those just mentioned and chances are that there are many more of these grand falls hidden deep in forests only accessible and therefore visible to the most intrepid hikers and explorers. However, these creations of nature are just one type of waterfall and the soothing pleasures and therapeutic power of cascading water are not limited solely to these magnificent and powerful sites. With a little effort and a couple of dollars you can add a waterfall to your home landscape design and enjoy the existential pleasure and healing power of tumbling water.
On Golden Pond
Well, perhaps you won’t be able to build something as large or picturesque as Golden Pond on your property, after that was more of a lake than a pond anyway, but you can indeed build a small water pond in your yard for less money and with less trouble than you might ever have imagined. If you are an avid landscaper you’ve probably already toyed with this idea because these days one of the hottest trends in landscaping is to use water features as a focal point of your over design. Water is both appealing to the eyes and to the ears. The soothing sound of rushing water is therapeutic to say the least, not to mention the fact that it can also help to drown-out the din from the neighbors kids playing on the swings on the other side of your hedges. The people at Clear Water Landscapes have a terrific website with a great deal of information on how to build a pond in your backyard. They also have pond kits, pond supplies, as well as all the tools, plans, and maintenance equipment you’ll need to get started and to keep your pond looking good year-round.
How Do I Build A Pond?
In order to construct a pond that you’ll be proud of and one that will give you lasting pleasure you’ll have to have a good plan and even better parts and equipment. Anyone can dig a hole in the yard, line it with a pool liner, fill it with water and then throw some plants around the edges and call it a pond. In a few short days or weeks this makeshift pond will look like the community pool at the trailer park and be rendered to little more than a mosquito breeding ground rather than an alluring waterscape. You can get all the proper material and instructions with the help of a pond kit customized to suit your particular piece of property.
The first step is to find a suitable location for your pond. Some homeowners find that an existing hill or embankment in one location of their property is a great place for their pond because it can appear to be a much more natural part of the overall property. In addition, this hill can also serve as a great place for a waterfall or just cascading water should you want to incorporate this look into your pond. Once you’ve decided on a location you’ll need to start digging. You can dig one shelf or multiple shelves into the ground to establish the base for the pond. Use the soil that you remove in order to dig the pond around the sides and edges to create soft soil beds for any plants or shrubs that you’ll eventually plant around your pond.
Next you’ll need to level the stages of your pond to ensure that the skimmer and pump can do their job properly. Once you make sure that the pond dug to the right depth – usually about two feet – you can add the liner and weigh it down with the stones that will add to the visual appeal of your pond. Once you’re happy with the placement of the liner and the stones its time to fill your pond. Even if you wash all your stones very well, the water will be cloudy and perhaps muddy until you’ve had a chance to refill it several times. It will take about 4-6 weeks before the water is ready to sustain the plant life that will ultimately add the final beautiful touches to your new pond.
How Much Will My Pond Cost?
The cost of building a pond will depend on the size of the pond you are constructing as well as the detail you want to incorporate into the pond. A few examples of pond kits that you can purchase to get started (labor not included!) range in price from $2,095 for an 11′ x 16′ pond to $1,421 for an 8′ x 11′ pond. There are pond kits for all sizes and shapes and all will come with everything you need to get started. Many landscaping companies that also work in water features will assist you in picking out the right kit for your property as well as lending you some need technical advice should you run into any trouble along the way.
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