Personal Waterfalls

 

story by Ellen Kelly, photo by Anne Beaty

 The soothing sound of water trickling gently in the background, be it a natural stream, a purchased water feature or a space we create ourselves, adds a sense of peace and serenity to our outdoor spaces.

Garden stores offer a wide variety of instant water features as well as construction materials. Mechanical necessities such as filters, pumps and heaters come in a variety of sizes, shapes and capacities, and ponds, either pre-moulded or pond liners that can be adapted to the size of hole you want your pond to fill, are readily available. Practical and/or decorative bubblers and fountainheads, along with interesting rocks and stones, complete construction. Plants suitable for the area surrounding the pond, as well as marginals (plants that live in shallow water or boggy areas), pond plants (set into the water or floating on the surface) and fish, all bring life and colour to the pond and yard.

Airdrie residents Merrideth Ashcroft and David Staples first built their pond 14 years ago and have since increased its size and added a waterfall and rock garden. The area evolves as new and interesting rocks and plants are added each year. “Water is very comforting and in summer, our backyard is an extension of our living area. We’re outside constantly,” says Ashcroft.

Alpine plants and cacti flourish, growing in and among tiered rocks that hide a length of garden hose attached to a pump which produces a slow stream of recycled water. The waterfall is shallow with a flat moss-covered rock placed midstream to accommodate the birds. “The past two summers we’ve even had a frog. I love that,” says Ashcroft.

“And the birds love it,” adds Staples. “We’ve had red-winged blackbirds, finches, lots of sparrows, the occasional wren and hummingbirds.”

Other types of ornamental rock that can be used for pond decoration and waterfall construction are available from commercial outlets such as Burnco Rock Products Ltd. and Blue Grass Ltd. nursery and garden centre. “There is a great variation in the size and cost of ornamental rocks so shop around to get the best price and the size you need,” says Ashcroft.

Rocks collected from other areas need to be diligently cleaned to remove pollutants, especially if the pond contains fish. The same applies to pond plants. “Don’t dig up wild plants. It disrupts the natural environment and they could contaminate your pond,” she says.

Shop for hardy, healthy plants and repot them as they grow larger. Pond plants are expensive so choose varieties that are hardy in this area. Pond plant fertilizer can be used and is safe for fish. Three generations of common goldfish (shubunkins and comets) inhabit this pond year round. In summer, they control the mosquito larvae, add colour and interest to the pond and, if the conditions are right, reproduce. Pond fish need a place to feel safe and hide, so the addition of plants and a few large rocks, bricks or cinderblocks is recommended.

In winter, Staples uses a thermostatically controlled stock heater to keep the water just above freezing, submerges the plants to the lowest level and covers the entire pond and waterfall with a tarp. A pump and in-pond filter keep water running and aerated 365 days a year. “Plants start to grow under the tarp,” says Staples. “It’s lush, green and well-started by the time we uncover it.”

Fish are dormant in the cold water and therefore don’t require any attention. “We’ve had great success at wintering them outside,” says Ashcroft. “They’ve been outside three winters now.”

Koi are hardy and also make excellent pond fish. Larger than goldfish, and hungrier, they are hard on pond plants but interesting to watch as they become quite bold. Koi can live up to 25 years and if not wintered outside, require a large tank to keep them healthy.

Pond maintenance is important. “We hop in and clean out the algae, and every two or three years we clean it completely,” says Ashcroft. “It’s nothing to spend 20 minutes at the pond every couple of days, just to root and clean. It’s very relaxing. It’s not work.”

Once started, ponds aren’t an expensive hobby to keep up. Pumps are the biggest expense and the biggest headache. “As old parts need to be replaced,” Ashcroft says, “it’s often hard to find new parts that fit with the old equipment, so we’re constantly adjusting to make things fit.

“Ponds suck you in,” she adds. “But if you like being outside and you like gardening, it’s very rewarding.”

“It’s not a lot of work,” says Staples. “The satisfaction is worth it.”

• life in the moment
• |
• our life / your life
• |
• life in the community
• |
• life at home
• |
• life at work
• |

© 2010. Frog Inc. All rights reserved. Site by Rock Paper Internet & Lycosidea