Your new landscape is looking incredible! The screen of trees across the areas that open onto public access was brilliant, as well as adding more shade where needed. And you finally have the outdoor living area you always wanted, along with the kitchen garden that helps make your meals and cookouts infamous for the amazing scents and tastes.
It is time, though, for the final touches. The kids’ garden areas are built to their specifications and are acclaimed as wild successes, even though adults are still banned till “things grow in.” Terraced gardens with artistic retaining walls make the fire pit area attractive to young and not-so-young. The main thing missing is … water.
You’ve planned for water features and made sure the plumbing is in place. Finally, your landscaping team from Custom Acres is ready to build your dream water feature and give it life and beauty. Most of the seasonal plants you wanted are available now. It’s time.
Why water?
Many people find water fascinating. The shimmer of light along the top of the ripples, the sound of the movement, or the gentle splashing. Some water features don’t make much noise, but lights mounted beneath the water can give it different colors, cast shadows, and simulate movement.
Everyone has their preference for a water feature. Some want to add life to their garden and add the living element – fish and frogs, and other watery occupants. For others, the water is important, and it is present in various states – running water, waterfalls, fog, mists, and drips.
Water is the very essence of life. We begin in the water, drink water, soak in water, swim, and play in the water, and sometimes, if we can heat it to the right temperature, relax in the water.
Maintenance?
Yes, water features require maintenance. Tubes get clogged. Filters and fog machines get damaged and have to be replaced. Algae sometimes grow in closed systems and have to be cleaned out. Sometimes, for whatever reason, a system fails, and many parts need to be replaced at once.
However, do you own anything that doesn’t need occasional or regular maintenance? Including the machine that is yourself?
Nevertheless, water features are one of the projects and additions to your garden that you could value the most. It is your oasis. Your Custom Acres team can provide services to create and keep it running.
Where to install a water feature
Now that you have decided to have a water feature, the next big decision is: where to put it. Let’s look at the possibilities. Do you want to be able to hear it at all times, even at night?
Do you want it to have live elements of fish, plants, or other water life? Do you want to see ripples and the play of light across the surface? Or do you want to give it an air of mystery, with fog floating across and creeping down the outside of your fountain and across your lawn?
If you can hear it at night, will it cause an interruption in your sleep with a sudden urgent need? The ages of your home-mates might be a factor in this. Smaller children and older people might find it too overwhelming.
Fish and other live animals may need to be brought inside from the pond periodically, and you might need to have an aquarium on hand if there has been a hurricane warning. Most of the time, it won’t bother your water feature, but a cat 4 or 5 hurricane can be very damaging.
A foggy fountain or grotto will delight some people, and others will find it unsettling. So what are you seeking with the fog – a restful place that’s a few degrees cooler or mystery and enchantment?
Try depicting your water feature in different settings. For example, what will it look like on a hot day with little feet dangling in the water? What about in the moonlight? How far are you willing to go to create the effect you want?
Ponds or fountains
And lastly, but not least, are you a pond person or a fountain person? Or are you looking for a pond that can sometimes fountain, with a play of colored light to give it life?
No matter what you are looking for, your Custom Acres designers will help you get it right.