Plan you water feature carefully
Here are some questions you should consider before selecting a water feature.
What is the site like?
Are there any trees nearby? If so, you will have to be prepared to clear fallen twigs and leaves out of your feature to keep it running smoothly. If you need to do any excavation for the water feature, are there any buried cables or pipes under the proposed site? If the feature is going to have moving water, as with a fountain or waterfall, will the sound reach your neighbours’ house? Most people like the sound of running water, but not everyone wants to hear it round the clock!
If you’re installing a spray fountain, it should be in an area protected from wind, unless you want water blown all over your garden.
Do you have the power?
How much water will your planned feature include, and therefore how powerful a pump will you need? Is there an electric outlet nearby you can use, or will you need to contract an electrician to run a power line out to the site of the feature?
If you need to install extra plumbing or electrical lines to make your planned feature work, check with your local planning department first to ensure you stay in compliance with regulations.
Fish and/or plants?
Both fish and plants are attractive and have practical uses: fish help keep mosquitoes from breeding in still water, and plants help control algae and provide shade for fish. However, fish will need to be fed, while plants need sunlight and must be carefully monitored to keep them from growing out of control.
Is it safe?
Will there be children in the area? Children can drown in a few inches of water. If your feature is to include a pond or other area of still water that a small child might stumble into, you need to think about fencing, pond covers, or other safeguards. Alternatively, consider an elevated fountain that’s above children’s reach.
What about maintenance?
Can you perform the necessary maintenance? Water features are not install-and-forget items. You will need to make sure the water remains clear, add chemicals if necessary, check the pump and filter periodically, clean out any debris, protect the feature in cold months, and so on.
And, finally, how does the feature fit in with the rest of your garden? Does its style, colour, and proportion complement what you already have there?
