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A backyard fish pond can be fun and relaxing. They attract many different types of animals such as butterflies, frogs and birds. The fish and plants used in this type of pond are hearty and should “winter” well.

Most of these ponds are small, maybe no larger than 3 to 4 feet in diameter. They can even be built in patio containers and barrels. 

If you have been wanting to design a soothing, relaxing area in your yard, a pond or water garden will do just that. 

A fish pond will also provide a focal point of your backyard conversation. So spice it up with these tips and techniques.

Where to Put a Backyard Pond

When deciding where to place your fish pond, you’ll need to find a place where you can view it while relaxing or entertaining. Do not place it in where it will have direct sun all day as this could overheat it. Not directly under trees since you will have much more maintenance.

Find a spot where the pond will blend in with the natural surroundings. This will ensure that you get the most pleasure out it.

Landscaping

The soil around the pond should be slightly elevated to keep the surrounding run-off from flooding it. When you are planning your pond, be sure to keep in mind that any run-off from the pond needs to slope away from your house.

Landscaping your pond with plants and rocks provides a natural shelter for birds and frogs. These animals require both and land. Having your pond landscaped will help to ensure that you attract them.

Don’t forget about electricity. If you plan to use lights, filters, or a pump to circulate the water, you’ll need to have electricity readily available.

Pond Liners

The reason for pond liners is to keep the water from leaching into the soil. A liner is required, even in clay soil. Although the clay soil will absorb the water much more slowly, it will still draw the water from the pond.

You can find pond liners in different shapes and sizes. You can even get a liner with built in waterfalls. Shop around to see the varieties that are available before you make your final choice.

Pond liners are durable and convenient.

If you are building your own pond, you can use a polyvinyl chloride liner (PVC liner). The way to determine the size of the PVC that you’ll need is to take the maximum depth of your pond and multiply it by three (3).  Add this number to both the width and the length. This should give you enough PVC to securely hold down the pond edges.

Another consideration in choosing a pond liner is the thickness. Obviously, the thicker pond liner is going to be more durable and more resistant to punctures.

Cement is another option for a liner. It requires a lot more work and know-how to install, and it is much more expensive.

Choose carefully if you decide to design your own liner. Many plastics don’t hold up to the sun very well and they may even give off toxins into your pond.

Pond Installation

There is quite a lot of digging involved with installing a pond. Be sure that you time your installation with the ground. If the ground is still frozen, or wet from recent rainfall, you are much better off to wait a bit before starting.

Mark out the grass in the area that you’ll be placing the pond. Mark carefully so that you do not dig a hole that is too big to support the liner, or so small that you have to dig again.  Keep a tape measure with you and monitor the depth as you get closer.

After you have secured the pond liner, carefully check the surrounding area and remove any unwanted rocks. If your pump will be placed in a deep area of the pond, now is a good time to set it.

Next, landscape the area around the pond. If you plan your landscaping right, you should be able to hide any excess electric cord and probably even the receptacle. 

Once the landscaping is complete, it is time to add the water.

You should let the pond sit for a few days before adding plants. This will give the sun a chance to burn off any chlorine or other chemicals that may harm the plants.

At this point, you’ll want to let  the plants settle for at least a week before you add the fish. At the end of this time, your water will be settled, and the plants have had a chance to take.

All that’s left at this point is to sit back and enjoy your new backyard fish pond!

A bird bath is stylish way to entice birds to your yard.  There are many designs to choose from and they come in styles that enhance any area.  Place your bath where you can relax and watch the birds splash and refresh themselves.    

If you don’t have a lot of space in your yard or have no yard at all, you can find a bird bath that will clamp securely to a deck rail. 

A bird bath that will hang from a tree branch may be more inviting to birds, especially if you have pets in the yard. 

A stylish water fountain makes a great bird bath too.  It will set your bird bath apart from the others in the neighborhood and makes an attractive yard decoration.  The sound of running water will be relaxing for you and be attractive to the birds.

A  bath is a place for birds to escape the heat of the summer and refresh themselves so you might want to put yours in the shade. 

Your bird bath will need to be cleaned and refilled throughout the season so placement will be important.

It doesn’t matter what you plant, gardening has many benefits.  A flower garden can enhance the beauty of your yard and a vegetable garden will provide healthy food.  

Many people find it very relaxing to work in the garden.  A garden does require a lot of work but for those of us who enjoy it, we don’t consider it work. Gardening can be a fun family activity, children like to be helpful and they love to play in the dirt.

There is nothing mysterious or hard to understand about using natural elements produced by the earth and animals, to plant and grow your own organic garden.  Many people are under the impression that the idea of organic gardening was started in the 1960’s as part of a revolution against society.  The truth is, gardening without the use of chemicals and manmade pesticides has been around for centuries. 

Farmers have practiced all natural growing for centuries.  The Amish culture and many other countries still practice this form of gardening.  These farmers could certainly go out and buy any of the pesticides and fertilizers available, but they continue to farm the way their forefathers have for generations.  Their gardens and crops grow very well; in fact they support entire communities and generate income.

Research and plan your garden before you get started for best results. Organic gardening uses natural elements to fertilize and protect your garden.  Protect your garden from damaging winds by planting close to a fence, hedge or tree line.  You can plant flowers and plants that repel unwanted pests and others that attract birds to keep insects away.  Choose a location that gives you maximum exposure to the daylight.

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If you were to list your home for sale, the realtor would pay attention to the outside of the home as well as the interior. He would likely suggest that you primp the landscaping to add “curb appeal” to any potential buyers.

Why on earth would you save this for a buyer? Isn’t it you that comes home each day to the house and yard? How much better would arriving at home be if you enjoy the view when you are pulling in? How much more relaxing sitting in the yard with a view that is all that you imagine?

Landscaping your yard takes a bit of hard work. But the effort is sooooo worth it!

First, take a good look at the lawn. An open lawn space is always beautiful. It is restful, and it adds a feeling of space to even a small yard.

Look carefully.

• Are there areas that are difficult to mow?
• Are there trees that were planted too close to the house?
• Any dead or dying trees?
• Areas that could benefit from dressing up or cleaning up?
• How about overgrown or overcrowded bushes?

Now that you have honestly evaluated the yard, the next step is to get it into shape. Clean up or clear out anything that needs it. Get the yard green and peaceful.

Any shrubs that you want to keep you can cut back, even beyond the thin green layer that is on the outside. It will take a few seasons for them to fill in again, but they will remain strong and healthy.

Use a stiff rake and dethatch the grass. This will encourage the lawn to thicken and help it green.

Use a can of spray paint to outline any areas that you have chosen for flower beds. This will not only keep you in line as you are digging, but it will give you a clear visual of the plan before you start.

Plan trees and shrubs carefully. Pay close attention to the adult height before you plant. Many homeowners have made the mistake of planting a “small” tree or bush close to the house only to find out that it becomes a nightmare as it grows.

Let your imagination run wild! Create your version of paradise in your own yard. You will enjoy it for many years and be grateful that you spent the time doing it.

Learning to understand your flower garden and how to care for it can make a big difference. With a little effort, you can improve the look and over-all health of your plants. Here are some simple hints to get you started on your way in making your garden bloom with health:

1. Always remember the essentials

Water, sunlight, and fertile soil are the three major considerations of any garden. If the plants are lacking any of these you will quickly notice it in the health of the plants.  Be sure that you water your flower gardens more frequently during dry spells.

Planting

When planting, make sure that you follow the recommendations for the plants or bulbs that you are working with. Check the depth and the spacing.

If you are putting in shrubs or perennials, be careful not to pile soil or mulch up around the stem. This will cause water to drain off quickly rather that to sink into the ground. It may even cause the stem to overheat and rot. 

2. Perennials vs. Annuals

Perennial are flowers that will come back year after year while annuals tend not to come back.

Perennials that are from seed rather than a bulb tend to produce an over-abundant number of seeds. Place these carefully in your beds and monitor the seed pods closely to keep them from overtaking your garden.

Pay attention to the stated bloom times for your area. These tend to be fairly accurate. If you use only plants that bloom at a particular time, your garden will feel like a “quick flash”. There are a large supply of flowers that bloom early spring, mid-summer, early fall, or even all season.

Select your plants not only by the time that they bloom, but by the height. You can plant an early summer bloomer next to a mid-summer bloomer and an all season or fall bloomer next to them. If you keep this a grouping of about the same height, you will have a different assortment of flowers without changing the look of your garden drastically.

Another method to keep blooms coming on is to mix the perennials with annuals. Again, you need to pay attention to the expected bloom times.

3. Deadhead to encourage more blossoms

Snipping off the flower head after they wilt is known as deadheading. This will encourage the plant produce more flowers by refocusing the energy away from the dead blossom to the plant. Never discard fresh clippings on the garden, even clippings from the garden.  This can cause mildew and other diseases in your garden.

4. Know which bugs are good

Most of the insects that you will find in your garden do more good than harm. These bugs are called pollinators and include butterflies, beetles and bees. They fertilize plants by transferring pollen from one plant to another. The majority of flowering plants rely on insects to survive.

There are bugs (sowbugs and dung beetles), fungi and that work with microorganisms to help in the decomposition of dead plant material. These bugs help to enrich the soil,  making more nutrients available to the growing plants.

Then there are  the natural predators of the damaging insects. These predators include lacewings and dragonflies.  

Be sure to occasionally apply liquid fertilizer to your plants when they are flowering. This will help them keep blooming for longer.

Always keep your flowers and shrubs pruned. Take off any dead or damaged branches. This will not only help keep the plants stronger but it will also make it much easier to enjoy the view of your garden.