Water garden basics

Water Garden BasicsUnderstanding the hobby, profession and resources

Aaron Scarlata-BSLAWaterscape Consultant

Business Development Mngr. for PondBuilder

No two Water Features are the same!

Types of Water Features:- Rock Columns, Water Gardens, Cascade, Fountains

Your Home:- Design, Consultation, Estimation, Implementation

Water is always the life of a party!

The End Result:- Reaching “The Wow Factor”

Your Water Feature Resources:- PondBuilder, local experts, and water garden societies

Water Garden Basics


“Water features are one of the most practical and least wasteful ways of transforming a garden into a cooling

retreat with lush and varied plant growth”

~Peter Robinson

Turn a 2hr Project into Years of Joy

Simple Liner inserts and resin fountains

3 10watt\LED lights for night time ambiance


Low Maintenance & Attractive

Support heavier stones using Water Matrix, Pump Canyon and Rubber Liner, some PVC hose and fittings

You’ll have a beautiful Water Feature in as little as 1 day!


A touch of nature at home!

Add driftwood and landscape plantings close to your water feature…Remember Mother Nature has no defined edge…Naturalize Your Water Feature!


Pondscaping at Home

Choose a pond kit or customize your own to fit your yard at home


Rustic, Tranquil & Relaxing


Mimic Nature:

Moving H2O

Natural Bacteria

Fish

Plants

Rock & Gravel

Chemicals vs. Water Treatments

Chemicals may not work with nature but against her

Water Treatments attack the problem using natural enzymes, proteins and algaecides

Pond Experts are often Doctors

Patience is Key as every Pond is Built Different!

Keeping Ponds Clear

Algae:

Single Cell = Turn Water Green or Brown

Multi-Cell = String or Hair aglae that forms

Single Cell vs. Bacteria

String vs. AquaFix Dry

Always Do it Right the 1st Time


Home owner BEWARE, only tackle a pond if you are prepared to go all the way!

Proper Filtration Equipment

Create a Safe Sanctuary


Mimic Nature:

Underwater caves

Low Tree Coverings

Boulders in Pond

Water Falls

Human Interaction

koi٠pond (n)

A bare liner pond with a stone coping edge

and an emphasis on

keeping many koi & goldfish.

Koi are the Treasures of a Pond

Numerous Breeds available

Rare breeds highly sought after = $1,000,000.00 for (1) koi


Landscape Lid

Two Matala Mats

Strong Octagonal Shape

Two Spinweld Openings

Reversible Weir

Stainless Hardware

14”, 22”, 30”, & 40” Sizes

Matala Mat Included

Strong Mesh Net

Natural Cover Lid

Plumbed Over Flow

Autofill Spinweld Option

Two Discharge Options

8”, 10”, & 15” Sizes

Cascade Waterfalls- Easy Care


Cascade Falls-Not- “Waterless”


Amount of Value vs. What You Spend

Incorporate Hardscapes

Keep Close to Home

Soften Edges

Hidden Magic or Water Harvest?

Water Matix: - a plastic cube that when assembled is capable of holding or supporting heavy weight above water level below Sm = 17 gal Lg = 32 gal


Curb Appeal Goes Long Way


Medium Cascade Falls Kit


2009 – 2010 Top Seller = 4ft Stream

Build in as little as a 6ft by 6ft area either in front yard for curb appeal or back yard for private oasis.

TYP Installation fees: <$2,200


Wave of the Future


Few Things Intrigue Us Like Water


Hours of Family & Fun to be Had


Outdoor Living Includes Water


Classic Romance


Custom Applications require estimates and bidding to be very accurate

Driveway or Entry Features

Decorative or Ornamental w/ Fish

Contemporary or Simple

Fountains add life to any yard

Great for Birds and Butterflies

Require Little Maintenance

Quick Installation

Affordable DiY Project


“Crossover”


Every job is different so…we believe in using water as an art form…incorporating water only where it is Right-For-The-Space

Manufacturing Quality Pond Equipment

Water Garden Basics

Your Home:- Consultation, Design, Estimation, Implementation

Consultations- Expert for Hire?

If you are not using a company being referred then feel free to ask to see work or speak to a reference

Hire a Designer 1st

Evaluate Every Detail

Avoid a bad project- speak about BUDGET


Design should

Maximize space from all angles and pedestrian paths

Build Character to a Home


Key Points to Consider

Best Location for “YEAR-ROUND ENJOYMENT” Visible from as many areas WITHIN your home as possible NOT in a Natural LOW SPOT (do not block natural drainage) Will it be near an EXISTING Deck, Patio, or other sitting

area? Will you be able to HEAR the WATER? IS ELECTRICITY AVAILABLE? (usually needs 110v \ 15-30amp) Will dirt need to be BROUGHT IN or HAULED OFF?

Estimates

Estimates should build your confidence in pursuing a project thus they require good understanding and perspective

Build only if the design makes sense to your home’s surrounding


Your Home’s Potential


Implementation is about Details

Details are what makes a water feature memorable- Plan ahead

Add great memories by adding rocks from your travels


Tired of Mowing Grass?

No more watering

No fertilizing just so you can cut more often

No chance of accidental mower flip-over


Pond Streams Look Like Stairs

Pond Stream must have 4-8” high levy walls

Every Step Represents a Waterfall & Sound!


Always Build from the Ground Up

Liners can overlap if the top liner overlaps bottom at a waterfall

Liner & Underliner in place


Incorporate Lighting While Building


Lighting = Added Value & Nightlife

Lights can be LED, Fiber optic or halogen

LED (Light Emitting Diode)

Remote Controlled

Energy Efficient


Boulders come in all sizes Rocks have

6-8 sides to work with so construction can be fun & challenging

Twists and turns in a pond stream add realism and sound

No Limestone(promotes algae growth)


Water plants sisters to land plants

Water Plants are vital to a water garden’s ecosystem

Floating Annuals such as Lettuce and Water Hyacinth deep floating roots help maintain healthy ponds while water lily pads provide shade for fish


Friendly Pond Inhabitants Fish and Frogs add the perfect

amount of eye-catching action

Live-stock promote a healthy ecosystem

Fish often become “Family”


Water Garden Basics


Boring Yard, yawwwwwn mower


Piece of Paradise for Life


Your DiY Project or Pond Experts?

Professional Poolside Retreat @ Home


“Wow” Taking a Design All The Way


Mini cascading falls kit

Includes:

Mini Cascade Box, Mini Pump Canyon, 1800gph Pump, Discharge Assembly, Liner, Underliner, & Small Basin Matrix.

Free Video Download available of installation!

Four Color Packaging



Water Garden Basics


Pond Tours- Host or Participate


Share Success and Not so Successful Pond Stories

Keep up with the Jones

Plant\Fish Swap

Networking

“Look, there’s a…Look Look”


BEWARE- Pond Owners Bit by Bug



Everyday Ponds Trust PondBuilder

Pond Education- www.pondbuilder.com Welcomes You

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Water Garden Basics- Complete!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH ~Aaron Scarlata

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