Tips for Adding a Water Feature to Your Yard

Water features, from a simple half-barrel with a recirculating pump to elaborate waterfalls are becoming one of the most sought-after landscape elements among homeowners.

Water features lend a relaxing ambience to any yard. Of course, that calming atmosphere comes at a price: Water features require knowledge and imagination to design and plenty of work to build and maintain.

To ensure the overall success of your project, make sure you get as much information as possible before you start. Web sites such as www.handymanclub.com, the home of The Handyman Club of America, are a great place to learn from the professionals, get useful tips and discover new products.

"Whether you live in the city, the suburbs or a rural setting, you can express your style in the design of a water garden and its accessories," says Larry Okrend, editor of HANDY Magazine, the member publication of The Handyman Club of America. Here are some important factors to take into consideration as you think about adding a water feature to your yard:

* What's your style? Do you like the natural look of a tropical or woodland setting, or do you prefer manmade materials found in a formal garden? Seize the opportunity to make a statement and express your personality, but make sure the design complements your home's architecture and the overall landscape.

* Where will you sit? Structures are important additions to any water-garden landscape. Destination sites such as gazebos, fire rings, benches, decks and patios provide a place to pause and enjoy the sounds and scenery.

* What will you plant? Water gardening is a chance to expand your garden to include water-loving plants that may not otherwise thrive in your landscape. Floating plants can travel on the water's surface, their roots dangling in the water. Submerged plants are rooted to the floor of the water feature. They help keep the water clear.

* How much will it cost? "As with any home improvement project, the cost of adding a water feature depends on how much of the construction you do yourself as well as the complexity of the project," says Okrend. Labor costs may include excavation for large-scale projects and an electrician to upgrade the electrical supply. In addition, there will be ongoing expenses such as higher water and utility bills, supplements to maintain water quality and any accessories you decide to add to enhance the setting.

* Where can I get more information? In addition to searching the Internet, visit your local library or bookstore for books on the topic. Visit your local garden store or big box retailer to get ideas and to see the types of plants that will thrive in a water feature. Find out if your area has a water-gardening association; these groups often sponsor a "parade of ponds," which gives you a chance to see water features other people have built, and their members are a great source of information on what works and what doesn't. Many Handyman Club members are pond people, and you can join in their discussion on the bulletin board at www.handymanclub.com.

For more useful how-to information, register for a free preview issue of HANDY Magazine.

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