When it comes to making your garden look its best, one of the most elegant things you can install is an outdoor water feature. While other elements like plants and rock installations will add plenty of personality to your garden, water features can elevate it to the next level.

So, with that in mind, we wanted to look at some of the various water feature options out there that may work well in your garden. These features can require somewhat substantial installation, you’ll want to make sure that you’re choosing the right one for your outdoor spaces.

Step One: Research Your Space

Before you add anything to your garden, you’ll want to have some kind of plan. Even something small like adding a flower bed can require some research so that you don’t wind up with a bunch of dead flowers after a few weeks.

With a water feature, you’ll need to measure how much space you’ll have since this will give you an excellent idea of what you can install. In addition, look at things like the slope and terrain you’re working with because this can affect your installation as well.

For example, if you have a steep incline, you may decide to have a stepped waterfall feature. If you have a rugged, rocky surface, then a small pond may be the best idea. Overall, you want to consider all elements before you pull the trigger on any work.

Step Two: Consider Long-Term Maintenance

While the beauty of a water feature can upgrade the appearance of your outdoor spaces, most of these installations require regular upkeep. If you have anything like a fountain or a waterfall, you’ll want to make sure that everything flows correctly at all times. Otherwise, it could ruin the effect.

When considering long-term maintenance, here are some tips on what you should be thinking about the most.

Seasonal Changes

If you live in an area where freezing temperatures are a regular occurrence, you’ll want to either cover or drain your water feature during the winter. While you could let it freeze over, allowing that may damage the structures. If there are pipes involved—like for a waterfall, these can crack when water freezes inside.

Cleaning

If you want your water feature to look its best, you’ll need to be sure that the water looks pristine and clear at all times. How are you going to achieve this? Installations with running water are not as much of an issue, but if you have stagnant pools, how will you keep them clean?

Insects

Bugs like mosquitos thrive in areas with pools of standing water. If you don’t take steps to mitigate this problem, you could be looking at swarms of insects during the warmer months, which could put a damper on your garden as a whole.

Fish/Wildlife

Sometimes, having a pond is a great excuse for keeping some fish in your garden. However, you have to consider how you’re going to clean the pond and keep them fed. Research different fish species and see the maintenance/upkeep for them so that you have a good idea of what to expect.

Power Requirements

If you have running water in your feature, then you’ll need some type of pump, which will require an outlet. Not only that but choosing the right pump is essential because you don’t want to have to replace it regularly. Think about whether or not it can be submerged, and how it will handle temperature changes over the year.

Step Three: Choose Your Aesthetic

Water features are great because they can either be relatively small and unobtrusive or they can be a centerpiece for your garden. When looking at different options, you’ll want to be sure that you’re picking something that fits in with the rest of your garden’s aesthetic. Here are some things to consider.

• Texture – in most cases, rocks are going to be a prominent element in your water feature. However, you can also utilize other components like pots and plants, or different materials like wood and metal.
• Lighting – a great way to highlight your water feature at night is to install lights. These lamps can either be outside or in the water itself for a bolder look. If you are going to install lighting, you’ll have to make sure that you have adequate power sources and that each part is installed correctly.
• Color – when picking out your textured elements (i.e., rocks), you’ll want to look at how their colors will influence your feature. Also, consider what plants will be nearby and whether they’ll add some vibrant hues to the experience, you can also use colored lights to complete the ensemble.

Contact B&D Rockeries Today

Water features can be an elegant option for your garden, but they usually require expert installation. At B&D Rockeries, we have a variety of options that will suit your preference. Contact us today to find out how we can transform your outdoor areas with the right water feature.