Backyards And Gardens.com » Water Features

How To Make The Most Out Of A Small Garden

Guest — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 14:58:44 +0000

All homes, big or small, benefit from some outdoor space. But if you only have a small patch of grass or a walled concrete space just big enough to park your car, don’t despair. With some clever ideas you can turn even the smallest area of outdoor space into a relaxing retreat in which to enjoy the fresh air.

Potted plants are a great place to start if you don’t have a lot of space or your outside area is covered over with paving slabs or gravel. You can choose a style of pot to suit the theme you’re going for – anything from oriental bamboo to modern stainless steel. Garden pots can be moved easily, so it’s no problem to change things around a little for a different look or even to take your whole garden with you if you move to another house.

Garden water features are another handy trick that can liven up a dull space. Water features can easily be overlooked in a large garden unless they are very impressive, so a small garden is ideal for showing off a fountain or raised ponds. The sound of running water is very relaxing and adding a simple fountain, perhaps in a small garden pond over a natural looking arrangement of rocks, can greatly increase your enjoyment of the space.

Lighting is something that many people don’t even consider when planning their garden, but it can really transform your outdoor space into something magical at night. Consider using dim floor level lamps to mark out a pathway or putting fairy lights in a tree for a romantic atmosphere. Again, you have an advantage with a small space in that you don’t need to spend a lot on outside lighting to completely change the look of your garden.

It really only takes a creative imagination and a small amount of money to transform your small garden into a mini paradise, whether you stay simple with well-arranged potted plants or make things a bit more fancy with water features for the garden and special lighting. And the best thing is that with a little planning, your transformation can be complete within a weekend so you can just get out and enjoy!

Garden Pond Filter and Pump Basics

Guest — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 15:29:58 +0000

A pond is a beautiful addition to your garden. Whether you want a koi pond or an aquatic garden with lilies, there is a pond for every mood. Many instructional sites online will help you build a pond from scratch and there are also many prefabricated ponds for sale at gardening stores. One of the most important factors needed for a pond is often overlooked, however. A pond needs a good pump and good filtration in order to remain beautiful and healthy all year long.

When you start to shop around for garden pond pumps, you need to know how many gallons your pond is. If you have no idea, there is a simple formula you can use. While measuring in feet, multiply the length times the width times the depth and multiply this total by 7.48. For example, a pond that is 10 feet long, 5 feet wide and 2 feet deep would be 10 x 5 x 2 x 7.48 = 748 gallons. It is important to know how many gallons your pond is because the pond pumps are rated by how many gallons per hour (or GPH) they pump. You want to pump at least half your pond total once an hour though ideally, you want it closer to the entire volume. A 1000 gallon pond should have a pump rated at 1000 GPH. Small ponds (1000 gallons or less) work well with submersible pumps, but if you have a large pond, you may want to look into external pumps.

Another important factor to consider are the different types of garden pond filters that are available. Mechanical filtration removes debris like leaves by passing water through a skimmer or large pore open cell foam. Chemical filtration uses materials like carbon to trap particles and remove chemical contaminants. Biological filtration is the most important. It uses the nitrogen cycle to break down and detoxify organic waste.

If you are not familiar with the nitrogen cycle, it would be wise to study it. Basically, it creates colonies of beneficial bacteria in your pond to keep the water healthy. There are many models available that combine these features and different filtration types. For example, some pond filters have two chambers. One chamber has a sponge which traps debris (mechanical) and beneficial bacteria (biological) grow here. The empty chamber is used for chemical filtration when needed. Pond filters are either submersible or external. Submersibles work better on smaller ponds while external filters are required for large ponds.

When choosing a pump or filter remember, these operate 365 days a year. Cheap models may end up costing more if they fail. Look for warranties that last longer than one year. If you are shopping for external options, ask how loud they are. Remember, your pond is supposed to invite serenity and reflection, not maintenance issues.

Having a garden pond in your own backyard is a great luxury, but in order to really be able to enjoy it, you must make sure that the pond operates properly and stays clean. By knowing some of the basics of garden pond filters and garden pond pumps, you are well on your way to making sure you have just what you need to keep your garden pond functioning at optimal levels.

Just think of how nice it will be to be sitting out on your patio or gazing out the window of your quaint workspace from a garden building tucked away in the corner of your yard, taking in the tranquil atmosphere in and around your garden pond, complete with all the sights and sounds that come with it. If you have a properly functioning and clean pond, you can enjoy that tranquility for a long time to come.

Building a Garden Pond

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:03:39 +0000

If you are looking for a truly unique and interesting feature for your backyard or garden space, then look no further than a garden pond. Garden ponds can be built in all shapes and sizes and can contain all types of interesting water features – or you can simply create a small garden pond that fits in with your décor and space limitations and provides a quiet little place to getaway in your own backyard. Garden pond kits make it fairly easy for most homeowners to build their own garden pond, or you can choose to hire a professional contractor to create this special water feature.

When it comes to garden pond designs, the sky is the limit. Whether you are building a garden pond on your own or are interested in having a professional build a garden pond for you, there are many options to choose from and many choices to consider. The first step in garden pond design is determining where you want to locate your garden pond – will you make it the main focal point of your garden and place it in the middle of your yard or will it be a quiet space nestled off to the side of your garden? Will it be a single level feature or have multiple levels? How large will it be? Determining where to locate your garden pond will be based on space issues, aesthetic choices and what is located on or under the ground nearby (such as large tree roots or rocks).

Courtesy of Bev Lloyd-Roberts

Once a location has been determined, you then need to choose the shape and size of the pond. This step may be partly determined by whether or not you are using a preformed garden pond or garden pond kit, or are building a freeform garden pond on your own. Preformed garden ponds and garden pond kits make the process of garden pond construction much simpler but limit your choices as to what sizes and shapes are available. Before determining the size and shape of your pond, it is best to get a few garden pond ideas by searching online, looking through catalogs or magazines, or visiting your local garden center. There are plenty of garden pond pictures available by doing a quick search online so that you can visualize what a finished garden pond project will look like, and by doing this you are sure to come across a water garden pond that strikes your fancy.

After the location, size and shape of the pond has been determined, the ground must be excavated deeply enough to fit the preformed pond or hard garden tub, if using, or deep enough for the depth of the pond desired if using a flexible garden pond liner. Usually a depth of three to five feet is sufficient. It is best to check with your garden pond supplier to determine the proper depth of excavation required for your garden pond design.

After the pond tub or liner is in place, the garden pond pump must be hooked up. Some preformed garden ponds have a space made to fit garden pond pumps. Otherwise, find an inconspicuous and convenient place to set up the garden pond filter and pump. It’s important to ensure that the garden pond filter and pump are securely placed in a location that they will not move around or be dislodged. You may need to secure the area around the pump and filter with some stones or garden pond plants.

Once the pump and filter is in place, the garden pond can be filled and then landscaped. Water garden ponds can have beautiful plants in and around the pond or you can set up a garden fish pond. Garden fish ponds require more maintenance to ensure the health of the fish that make the pond home, but the rewards of having a garden fish pond are worth the extra maintenance.

Added features, such as garden pond waterfalls, garden pond fountains, and garden pond lights can be added during the initial garden pond construction or can be added at a later time and really add interest and beauty to your pond. A garden pond waterfall is an especially enjoyable feature and provides a soothing vision of running water, along with the relaxing sounds that accompany the stream of water into the pond.

From intimate small garden ponds to elaborate ponds with waterfalls, fountains, fish or lights, a garden pond can greatly enhance the enjoyment of your outdoor space. Garden pond kits make the process of building your own garden pond a relatively easy task (although it does take a bit of work to handle the excavation!), since all necessary garden pond supplies are included. Otherwise, you can purchase a preformed garden pond or hard garden pond tub, or begin with flexible garden pond liners to build the pond on your own. Of course, there is also always the option of hiring a professional to construct your garden pond, but that is a more expensive proposition.

No matter what type of garden pond you choose to add to your backyard or garden, the addition will add beauty to your outdoor space and will provide an interesting and relaxing area to enjoy throughout the year.

Buy garden pond accessories and equipment here.