Garden Ponds: Designs, Supplies, Pumps, Liners And Waterfalls

Garden ponds are a neat and interesting way to spruce up an otherwise ordinary garden. Of course garden ponds aren't for everyone, as they can get quite expensive and they require constant maintenance. But for those who love gardening and take great pride in making their gardens the most beautiful and relaxing in the neighborhood, garden ponds might be just the thing to spruce up any yard.

The first thing to know when putting together garden ponds is what garden pond supplies will be needed. Whether it's going to be a massive effort with fish and pond waterfalls or a quaint bathtub pond, every backyard warrior needs to equip themselves with the right garden pond supplies. Ponds need a fresh supply of clean water, a pump to keep the water level and the oxygen circulating, fish and fish food to give the garden ponds a little life. For those living in cooler climates, de-icers or heaters are recommended to keep the pond going into the winter.

Garden ponds range from very cheap to extravagantly expensive. Mostly, the cost of garden ponds rate most in the pond designs. Most pond designs are relatively affordable, a few hundred dollars for a quaint little koi fish pond with preformed pond liners. The more extensive and elaborate pond designs incorporating all kinds of waterfalls and rocks and streams need more than just pond liners, but can require several thousand dollars of landscaping. The selection of garden ponds really depends on the style of garden a person is running, and whether or not they want the pond to be the centerpiece of the garden or just a fun diversion. If the garden will be focused on the pond and is very important to the owner, spending a few thousand dollars on pond designs can certainly be justified.

But it isn't just the garden ponds themselves that are expensive. They also require a lot of accessories. Well maintained ponds require good pond pumps. Especially for koi ponds which will feature fish, pond pumps are a necessity. The pumps retail for between $200 and $400 for larger pumps to accommodate different levels of garden ponds. For those looking to add pond waterfalls, another pump is required. Pond waterfalls pumps run about $500, but can create really excellent effects. It's suggested that pumps are installed by garden pond supply experts, as the machinations of keeping the pump constantly supplied with water can be somewhat tricky, and a poorly used pump can break down fairly quickly.

Garden ponds aren't exactly the wave of the gardening future, but they can certainly help turn an otherwise ordinary garden into a peaceful haven. These types of garden ponds aren't suggested for places of extreme cold, as winterizing them can be painfully difficult. However, for someone who takes great pride in nurturing their garden, a small koi pond or a sprawling waterfall oasis are certainly fun additions. If the extra money and extra work aren't an option, serious gardeners should take a long hard look at adding the flavor of one or two garden ponds to spice up a beautiful garden.


Sources:
Garden Pond Kits. Crazy Ponds. 2006-2007. 10 April 2007. http://crazyponds.com/garden_pond_kits.html.
About the Cal Pond System. CalPump. 2004-2007. 10 April 2007. http://www.calpump.com/.
Rothenberger, Ray R. “Winterizing the Water Gardens.” Missouri Environment and Garden. 28 Dec. 2001. 10 April 2007. http://agebb.missouri.edu/hort/meg/archives/v7n15/ meg3.htm.
Smith, Christopher W. “7 Garden Waterfall Styles that Will Make You the Envy of Your Neighborhood.” Ezine Articles. 12 Feb. 2007. 10 April 2007. http://ezinearticles.com/?7-Garden-Waterfall-Style s-That-Will-Make-You-The-Envy-of-Your-Neighborhood