Koi Water Peace Rotating Header Image

Water Gardens

Here is How to Design the Perfect Water Garden

Aug 31st, 2011
by GuestBlogger.
No comments yet

A water garden can be the most enjoyable investment you could ever make, or the biggest wet nightmare. A recent phone call from an angry water garden owner prompted this article. What she was describing to me was just the opposite of what would be considered the ideal water garden experience.

She began by telling me the pond was leaking, and she needed to add water daily. It was full of algae and smelled like dead fish.

Besides needing to pull the sump pump out of the pond every three days to clean the algae and debris from its intake screen, her electric bill was out of hand since she installed the pond. She continued: “The grandkids were climbing around on the waterfall and the rocks slid around, exposing the liner everywhere.” (more…)


Enjoy the Benefits of a Rain Water Garden

Aug 29th, 2011
by GuestBlogger.
No comments yet

To really understand the benefits of the rain water garden it’s necessary to understand the basics of the garden. Most individuals are aware of the runoff that comes with the rain. This can come from various parts of the house. It could be the runoff from eaves troughs or simply the trickle of steady water that runs down the patio. This water can be put to good use if one were to build a rain garden. Not only are these beneficial but they are lots of fun and really add a nice touch to the yard itself.

You can put various plants in your rain garden such as perennials and shrubs. Ideally you want to plant these on the natural slope where the water is running off. You will need to make a small depression to place your plants in and where the rain water can pool.

The composition of the rain water will be comprised of mostly nutrients and chemicals as well as sediments. The rain water gardens do a great job at removing a large amount of these from the runoff. (more…)


Plants for your Indoor Water Gardens

Aug 27th, 2011
by GuestBlogger.
No comments yet

Creating an indoor water garden is almost equivalent with taking the pond from outside and bringing it inside in smaller dimensions. Most of the people choose to have indoor water gardens because they are easier to maintain and they offer more possibilities of exposing the flora.

Most of the indoor water gardens only contain plants. This is because fish need special treatment when being held indoor and usually that special treatment can only be given through a professional aquarium. The plants for the indoor water gardens are numerous and easy to find.

What is really impressive is the fact that the indoor water garden can be held in a barrel or a bucket nicely arranged. These gardens are not spectacular through their form but through the plants they expose. These ponds are actually a collection of pots with plants, all kept under the water. Their moving is easy because you only have to move the pots from one place to another. (more…)


Pond Flowers Enhance Your Backyard Water Garden

Aug 25th, 2011
by GuestBlogger.
No comments yet

Pond flowers are those beautiful flowers and plants that bring color to the surface of a water garden. Most varieties of pond flowers will not be able to survive in any other type of living conditions.

Water lilies, including the tropical and hardy types, are the most vibrant flowers that one sees in a water garden. Both tropical day blooming and the tropical night blooming lilies are capable of being hardy and robust but only in a climate that is frost-free. They will grow as annual flowers in the areas that receive frost; this means you must replace them each year.

The stems of all tropical lilies are so stout that the flowers will stand above the surface of the water while their leaves float on the surface. The hardy water lily is able to thrive all year long as long the roots of the plant have enough soil or water covering them so they do not freeze.

The leaves and the flowers of the hardy lily will float on the waters surface. These flowers open up on sunny days during the morning and close up in the middle of the afternoon sun. You can purchase water lilies in almost any color except for any shade of blue. (more…)


How to Design a Water Garden

Aug 20th, 2011
by .
No comments yet

If you have ever designed a water garden by sketching with colored pencils on a sheet of graph paper, let me be the first person to tell you that there is a better way! Here’s why:

1. Increase Your Net Profits

Prior to introducing digitally designed water gardens, I would close 6 out of 10 sales, or 60 percent. Now, by using a digital design, I sell 80 percent. On the remaining 20% I still made money even though I did not close the sale because I charged $350 for each design.

So besides earning an additional income of $2,800 ($350 for each of the eight signed contracts for building a water garden), the digital designs earned an additional $700 for the two building contracts that were not signed. At an average of 100 water features built per year, I have added $35,000 to my bottom line just with this new revenue.

Finally, you must consider the additional contracts that were signed on the basis of the digital design alone. If my annual gross income before offering these types of water features was $600,000, then 20% or $120,000 is money I would not have had without digital designs.

2. Set Yourself Apart from the Competition

Our designs elicit positive responses and compliments, which we rarely received before with sketches and floor plans. Unlike sketches or floor plans, digital design provides a virtual photograph so a client sees what he is getting in advance. Water gardens designed this way eliminate misunderstandings that can sometimes arise from poor communication, involving vague or convoluted descriptions, drawings and sketches. What you see is literally what you get.

]]>

Digital designs look (and are) professional, and with computer software so widely available now, and various instructional programs that are easy to follow, there is really no reason to wait! Any edge you can get on your competitors will affect your bottom line. And don’t forget to design in a water leveler for your customer’s pond, even though they won’t see it in the actual digital picture you show them.

3. Reassure your Customer

A portfolio of previous digitally designed water features can be used to sell the design option to future clients. When offering the package to a customer, the portfolio shows them what other clients received, and that they are not alone in a decision to opt in to getting their own digital design.

4. A Personalized Picture

A digitally designed water garden actually allows the client to see the finished water garden in their own back yard. This allows them the feeling of ownership since the photograph is of their own yard, except now they see the finished water garden in it.

5. No Tape Measures

Providing a digitally designed water garden eliminates the need to sketch out their back yard and take extensive measurements. Sketches and measurements are replaced by the simple click of the camera shutter, and the computer mouse in the virtual world of the water garden digital library.

6. No Sale? No Problem!

Even if you do not get the sale, you will earn $350 for a design you otherwise would not have made. Before offering the digital design option, all the time you spent with the client consulting, sketching and measuring, plus travel time, was wasted if you did not sell the job. By selling this design, you have received $350 for your effort and walk away feeling fairly compensated.

7. The Digital Design Fee is Refunded

By offering a refund of their design cost if the client decides to sign the contract, your closing ratio will increase. You tell the client that $350 will be deducted from the labor in the contract if they decide to sign with you. They are now more willing to part with their money. You explain that they not only will see exactly what they are getting, but they will have a photograph to use when they get other bids. The labor in the contract is not an exact amount, and will vary from job to job. So it is impossible for the client to know where their $350 refund shows up. You simply state in the contract that the $350 refund was deducted from the labor cost. The labor figure is necessarily an estimate; it is never itemized, nor are materials. So in reality you can easily add a few extra dollars in either category to cover the refund money, which is actually only on paper.

In summary, I can tell you that by adding digital designs to my business, I have increased my bottom line by 38 percent! You can easily see how someone could make a good living just designing water gardens, especially at $350 per hour for a 6 to 8 hours day.

Retired “master waterfall builder” Doug Hoover.
Douglas C. Hoover, CEO of Aquamedia Corp, master Waterfall Builder, freelance writer and author designer, architect, inventor, engineer, writer, author and builder of over 2,000 waterfall and ponds in California or the past 30 years. Inventor and manufacturer of the “AquaFill” T.M., electronic float control system for ponds, pools, fountains and hot tubs.  Read more: http://www.designapond.com. Aquamedia also manufactures the solar oven dehydrator kit.
Article Source


Design Water Gardens – $350 per Hour

May 21st, 2011
by GuestBlogger.
No comments yet
Water garden with lilies. Broadmoor Hotel, Col...

WATER GARDEN WITH LILIES. BROADMOOR HOTEL, COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO (OCTOBER 2006). PHOTO BY PETER... Image via Wikipedia

If you have read any of my articles before, you know I specialize in sharing my knowledge and experience in the water garden business over the past 26 years. Because I don’t own or promote a water garden supply store, I can therefore present unbiased and balanced information – whether it is advice on the best construction methods for a water garden, or which models of U.V. or pump have the best warranties or the are the most energy efficient.

I have shared with you before about the incredible financial benefits of offering clients digital designs. Even if you are a do-it-yourselfer homeowner, a digital design is a low-cost and effective way to get your ideas and vision across in a brilliant, vivid, virtually real way. It is the most important first step of any water garden project.

For several years now I have been presenting virtual designs to my customers. Googling “digital design ponds” or “digital design water gardens” will result in seven cad cam or 3D-type design programs. These types of software produce stilted, unnatural, unrealistic results. In the past 26 years I have designed and constructed well over 1,900 water gardens for commercial and residential clients. Until recently, most of these designs were produced the “old fashioned” way, by hand drawing them. (more…)


Water Gardens: How To Design Bog Gardens And Tub Gardens

May 4th, 2011
by .
No comments yet

Water gardens create fresh and vibrant surroundings. If you enjoy wetland plants and want to grow beautiful plants that cannot be cultivated elsewhere, a bog garden is for you. Examples of wetland plants are red and silver maple, river birch, Sycamores etc. If you have a naturally boggy area by you pond, a bog garden may be your perfect solution.

An artificial bog garden is build with a water-retentive liner that provides continuous most soil for the moisture loving wetland plants. This kind of garden may be a stand-alone feature or simply part of the pond or natural streams that you have in your garden.

The beauty of bog garden is that it is created in a distinctively informal setting and looks really vibrant when cultivated correctly. A naturally moist area in garden can be easily converted to this kind of garden. With proper planting, a bog garden can bring freshness and vitality to your garden and turn a damp moist site into a beautiful and exotic wetland plants.

A tub garden is perfectly suitable for small spaces, like patios or mini-gardens. Tub gardens are ideal for small spaces where you cannot plant anything, like an entrance of your home or a back patio or in your atrium. Tub gardens are generally of same size as a wine or a whisky barrel. Usually, tubs are made from cutting the wine or whisky barrels into half.

A typical tub garden takes up three square feet’s of your space. They may be accompanied along with fish, water lily, or green bamboo, poppies, or other water blending ornaments. A bamboo water fountain perfectly fits in a tub garden if it is designed appropriately. Variety of pots, tubs or basins may be used to create a personal tub garden with beautiful flora and fauna.

Water rich gardens like tub gardens and bog gardens add refreshing aura to the surroundings. They hydrate the air around them and add oxygen to this air. A hydrated air is very good for health and keeps the respiratory illnesses away. That’s why when you visit a natural waterfall or a river, your senses are refreshed and rejuvenated. There is a lot of beauty to a bog garden or a tub garden and the best part is that they do not require a lot of work or space. Simple kits may be bought from and you are ready to go. Or if you want to give your artistic abilities a shot, try designing your own water garden and unleash your creativity.

Amy C. invites you to browse beautiful collection of garden water feature, including bamboo water fountain and bamboo spouts at tabletop fountain store – a place to shop for water features that fills your home and garden with joy and serenity.
Article Source


Water Garden Tips Choosing the Right Soil

May 3rd, 2011
by .
No comments yet

Planning a garden in your yard surely requires a lot of work and things. Creating a water garden will make you busier. Having a water garden does not stop you from planting flowers and plants. Water may be around this place but surely there are still plants that you can put in it. To have that better and effective planting, you have to use the right soil and proper pots. Here are some Water Garden Tips in choosing the right soil.

Sand

This soil can hold small plants only. Tall plants will not survive because this soil is exclusive for small plants. Although this soil can give nutrients, these nutrients are still not enough to accommodate the tall plants.

Clay Soil

This is the answer to aquatic plants. To keep the aquatic plants surviving you ought to have this clay soil. You can actually keep a plant in the water garden using this soil. Make sure that you only put moderate amount of this soil because too heavy of a clay concentration would reduce healthy root growth. This is the most common and easy to find soil. You can find it in your yard anytime. You can also find it in a store.

Fiber

Rockwool or coconut fiber can be used in your planting activity. They are also common and abundant. However, it is not useful and helpful in tall plants. Shorter plants are the ones that can only be accommodated in this type of soil. To add, this soil does not produce enough nutrients to completely keep a plant healthy and strong.

Gravel

This soil is useful only for short plants. It is poor in nutrient retention. It can be used for filtration purposes and not for fertilization purposes. You will find this very helpful on land alone and not in water because it will just be released in the water.

Packaged Aquatic Soil

This is the perfect choice for water aquatic plants. This is useful in water gardens so you do not have to worry about plating anything into your water garden using this type of soil. Moreover, this soil provides a strong base for anchoring plants. Moreover, it holds a great amount of soil that will surely make your plants healthier and more beautiful.

Potting Soil

This soil is not suitable for your water garden. It contains to much organic and it is so light. It will just be carried away or it will just drown your plant into the water because it is so light.

If you are really looking for that perfect soil for your plant, read and search more on soils that will help your plants to grow healthier. These soils here should serve as a guide to you on which one you should choose for you to be able to achieve your planting and gardening easily. You will end up with a smile knowing you have the right soil.

If you found this article helpful you may visit this site www.water-garden-tips.com
Article Source


How To Build A Water Garden Fountain Yourself

Apr 17th, 2011
by .
1 comment

Garden fountains are accessories to water ponds – be they small or large. The sound of flowing water, be it rippling or cascading are so relaxing that they add up to the peacefulness and tranquility of outdoors.

There are so many fountains to choose from. You can go for the dramatic fountains that are made out of cast stone. You can save space by going for wall fountains. There are so many finishing to select. There is the garden wall fountains that are appropriate for both indoor and outdoor use. There are sandstone finishes that add classy appeal.

Other factors we suggest you consider before deciding on the ideal fountain for you is your living space situation. Is your garden big enough to accommodate the outdoor fountains made out of copper, stone, and fiberglass? These fountains are normally so large that those who have big gardens consider these to be the center of their exterior.

Another factor that determines the kind of water garden fountain you purchase is if you have pets. If the fountain you get is on ground level, then your pet may think that it is a bathtub, or better yet for him, a swimming pool. Sometimes, they will even drink from it.

For others, water fountains, from the looks of it, may be daunting. You do not have to go to the mall yourself and check how much they are. Obviously, these are expensive. You have a water garden and you are already satisfied with a water feature that is appropriate for the landscape. A small water fountain can do the trick. It is not only cheap, it is also low-maintenance. As long as you hear the ripping of the water, your nerves will be relaxed. Why need a big fountain, right?

So you decided to build your own water garden fountain. Here are the steps:

1. Consult an electrician who could install the ground fault circuit interrupter near the man-made pond. The cord length depends on how far the fountain is from the pond. Ideally, the landscaping for the garden fountain is inches close to the patio so that while you are relaxing on the patio, you are soothed with the sounds coming from your fountain.

2. Remove the weeds that are surrounding the are you chose to put your water fountain. Double check whether the ground is level. Then that is when you dig the hole. This is where you will put the pond liner. In order for you to get the accurate dimensions of the hole, trace the preformed pond lining plastic and trace around the area.

3. Make sure that your hole is deep enough to accommodate the water garden fountain that you have in mind. Use sand to fill between the gaps. Sand can be used at the bottom because it is malleable and will let you have an easier time adjusting the height of the pond for your water garden fountain.

4. Before instilling the water garden fountain, check whether the ground is level, front and back, right and left.

5. Now you’re ready to put your water garden fountain. If your main concentration on having a fountain is the decoration, then you should build a fountain that is cheap enough for you to go about the total costs. Make sure that you will be able to save more having done the job yourself than buying one and having technicians to install It for you in the first place.

6. This can be done sans plumbing, as a matter of fact. You can just drill holes in the bottom of your ‘statue’ and then another one on the top. With a knife, you can make the holes bigger so it would allow the plastic tubing to pass through easily.

7. Discharge the adapter of your pump by half an inch. This is where the water pushes out. Now that the plastic tubing has been fed through your statue, you can bring it over the man-made pond.

8. Fill the pond with water by putting the pump into the water, Let the tubing be submerge but at the same time, make sure that it remains hanging by the bottom of the statue. Double check that it is the right fit above the pump’s adaptor.

9. Plug the pump into the outlet and watch the jet of water shoot out of the statue. You will enjoy it more because your very own hands are responsible for this project.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://watergardens.garden-g8way.com where you can learn more about water gardens and accessories like the water garden fountain.
Article Source


Designing Simple Water Garden Features

Apr 17th, 2011
by .
No comments yet

A water garden is definitely a wonderful thing to enjoy and have at one’s property. Most of the times, these water gardens can be found in different establishments that can provide a wide space that is far from the busy streets of the urban world. However, recently has it been increasingly popular and added as features of people’s residential homes.

Definitely there is nothing wrong with having a simple water garden at your house. It is even a much more ideal setup since your home can truly be a place where you can escape from everything else and simply be at ease in your own surroundings.

If you desire to create your own water garden, you can absolutely design it yourself. The first thing that you have to do is find a quiet place in your home where it can receive adequate sunlight. It is also preferred that this area is far from the streets, perhaps at the corner of property or even at the center of your own house. This area must not be cemented, so that you can put soil and stones on it.

In addition to this, you have to remember the different elements that make up a water garden and these are stones, green plants and water. These are the most usual things you can find in a water garden however you can still work your magic on it and add a few touches as you go along.

Designing a simple water garden is definitely an easy task as long as you know what you want to achieve. What you can do is you can look at different water garden designs and you can base your own design from them. Having simple features of a water garden is really easy; all you have to remember is the meanings that these elements represent.

Most of the time, the water source is at the center of the water garden, it can be a simple pond where fish can swim or at times a simple waterfall can be found at the top of it. This element is very important since it gives life to the whole existence of the water garden. With the soothing rhythm of the flowing water, it gives music to the whole area of the water garden.

Moreover, if you are creating a pattern for your plants, make sure that your plants have a subtle green color to make the whole water garden rather ethereal to the eyes. Since these plants have a soft color, they create a feeling of calmness for the owners and visitors.

You can also add stones which can represent for so many things but usually depict the mountains of the natural environment. At times, these stones are placed around the water source to serve as a boundary. Also, at times these stones can be in the form of stone lamps and stone pathways.

Whatever your design may be, make sure to keep it simple and attune with the surrounding landscape. A water garden must have a balance in its elements which mean that overdoing one of the elements may not exactly be a good idea. As long as you are guided by your creativity and your natural instincts, then you can absolutely make your water garden a place of solitude.

Jason Boonstra is the author of “The Ultimate Water Garden Manual” – compulsory reading for anyone considering an Water Garden Features. For a FREE 20 part mini-course on “The Secrets To Creating & Maintaining a Stunning Water Garden!” go to => http://www.watergardentips.com
Article Source


← Earlier Posts