| Adding water into a garden needs to be planned | | | | During that weekend I prepared two totally different |
| carefully before any work is started. Friends of mine, | | | | landscape designs for my friends. Both included a |
| Julie and Brian, newly wed, had moved into a new | | | | smaller water feature, and recommended that most |
| home and were just starting to landscape their | | | | of the huge hole be filled in. Julie liked the designs, but |
| garden. A neighbour also starting to landscape, had | | | | Brian refused to even consider filling in the hole. I left |
| hired the services of a Bobcat, and Brian asked the | | | | the designs with him, as well as a list of cost |
| driver if he had the time to dig a hole for him in his | | | | estimates for him to complete the existing hole into a |
| back yard. Although Brian had no plan, the driver | | | | 'water feature', and some of the problems he |
| obliged, and proceeded to dig a very large and deep | | | | needed to be aware of. |
| hole, ready for Brian's (spur of the moment idea) | | | | Eight months later the hole in the ground is still just a |
| pond. The back yard was filled with the huge piles of | | | | hole in the ground. |
| soil that had been removed, but Brian was happy. | | | | Brian however, is now considering filling it in, and using |
| The hole had been dug, and all he had to do was add | | | | one of the designs to create a low maintenance |
| a liner, some rocks, and a lovely little waterfall. | | | | garden. |
| Ummm... | | | | Both Julie and Brian gave me permission to write this, |
| It was raining the night Julie called and invited me to | | | | Julie especially, as she hopes that in telling, she may |
| stay with them the following weekend, and it was | | | | prevent other wives from; |
| raining again during the long drive to their home. | | | | 1. Having to put on rubber boots and paddle around in |
| As I drove toward their house, I noticed the neat | | | | mud every time they have to hang out the washing. |
| lawn and new garden beds in the front garden, and | | | | And |
| congratulated them both on a job well done. | | | | 2. Having to bath the dog each time he sneaks out |
| I was then taken to see the pond area. | | | | the door and enjoys a romp in the backyard. |
| Shock was quickly followed by concern. I turned to | | | | And |
| Julie, and saw that she was close to tears, so I said | | | | 3. The continual frustration of having to mop floors |
| nothing. | | | | every time some one is brave enough to venture |
| The hole in the ground was surrounded by mesh and | | | | into their mud pit. |
| rope, and the rest of the yard was a lake of mud, | | | | Installing a SMALL pool is probably the easiest solution |
| caused by the soil washing down from the loosely | | | | for new gardeners, wanting to introduce water into |
| packed piles. The hastily added stepping stones | | | | the landscape. Large, overwhelming features will |
| leading to the shed were covered in a thick layer of | | | | cause a small backyard to appear even smaller. Your |
| mud, and it was only the beginning of Autumn. But, | | | | pool can either be formal or informal in design |
| the bigger shock was the size of the hole. It seemed | | | | depending upon the style of the garden, and although |
| to fill the entire backyard, and the edge of it was so | | | | the actual construction is quite straightforward, you |
| close to the back door it gave the un-nerving feeling | | | | will need some understanding of water flow, laying |
| that you were about to fall in. | | | | underground piping and electrical cables. For first time |
| Over lunch they told me the rest of the story. | | | | pool builders, consultation with a water garden |
| Following the hurried digging of the 'hole' Brian had | | | | professional could help you avoid costly mistakes, as |
| measured up the entire area eager to start pricing up | | | | well as giving you access to new and cost saving |
| everything he needed to finish his water feature. As | | | | techniques and materials. |
| far as I can tell, he didn't get far past the liner and | | | | Many of the most successful gardens incorporate a |
| rocks before realizing how much this feature was | | | | pool, fountain, stream, or waterfall. The sound of |
| going to cost. Everything was put on hold. | | | | moving water adds extra dimension to the garden |
| I was asked for advice, and that afternoon I | | | | and provides the perfect backdrop for many species |
| borrowed some rubber boots, and trudged ankle | | | | of plants that thrive near water. Even a small pool will |
| deep in mud around their backyard, trying to assess | | | | create visual interest, and can be used for keeping |
| the situation. | | | | fish or growing aquatic plants. |