1. Dirt and Mud

   As a part of waterscaping, we naturally have water involved, holes in the ground, lots of dirt, and that combination has a habit to create a bit of a mess. While it is not our goal to mess up your grass, most backyard installs inevitably involve creating some paths in your yard, getting some mud along the way, and making it a bit unsightly momentarily during the project.

2. Rocks, Pond Equipment, and More EVERYWHERE

   As part of building your water feature, we’ll have lots of pond building materials scattered around your yard. While we try our best to keep an organized space, it doesn’t always look organized. If there’s specific areas you need to keep clear, we can work with you on that. But during the project it might look like a bit of a scrapyard with piles of rocks, gravel, pond equipment, piping and plumbing, and all of our tools around the pond site.

3. Big Equipment

   While not every build project has big equipment, most projects have the potential depending on the size of rocks used. Ponds and pondless waterfalls are typically the most likely projects to require larger equipment. The tracks on the larger equipment we use is designed to mitigate stress to your yard, but it will happen just the same. There may be some track marks and a few depressions around the pond area.

   With all the dirt and mud, rocks and pond equipment sitting around, big equipment passing through, and the general activity of waterscaping your yard, we always recommend to be ready with your landscaper in case of need. While everything is cleaned up at the end of the project, and grass grows back, there still may be some divots that need to be smoothed over, maybe some grass edges to be re-sodded, and having your landscaper ready in the worst case is recommended.

   Are you scared of getting a water feature built in your yard yet?

4. Broken Irrigation Lines

   Talking about big equipment… Yes, your irrigation lines have a very high chance of being found during a water feature project. Whether big equipment is needed or not, the edges of an excavator shovel and a hand shovel have equally sharp edges that have a tendency to chop straight through sprinkler systems. If our crystal ball were working, we could tell exactly where the sprinkler lines are and move around them. Even if we did have a crystal ball, the outcome would probably still be the same as we place the water feature in the perfect spot in your yard instead of moving the whole pond around your sprinkler heads.

   If, or when, we come across a sprinkler line, we can make basic repairs ourselves. However, we have no idea going into the project how many lines we might hit or if we’ll have to reroute anything. On many smaller projects we don’t even hit anything. On other larger projects we might only hit a side sprinkler head line that just needs a simple cap, or it could be that we hit multiple main irrigation lines that could require some more extensive rerouting and repair. It is always a good idea to have your sprinkler company on-call and ready to respond in case they’re needed.

5. A Work of Art

   So, your yard has been stressed out. Maybe a sprinkler head or two got cracked, your yard looked like a scrapyard for a few days, and you weren’t sure if you made the right decision to get a pond…

   BUT, now, take a look at you have now! A water feature to call your own. You now have a piece of landscaping in your yard that is more than just a visual appeal, it is literally a way of life. Sit back, relax. Take in the moments. Enjoy the soothing sights and sounds of running water and beautiful koi fish. Feel the cares of the world slip away as you enjoy your personal backyard pond!

Want to see water in action, follow our pond journey, and learn more about taking care of your own water feature? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok!

Spring

• Plant spring bulbs around the pond. Consider tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths for vibrant colors. Anything that catches your eye is the perfect addition around your feature.

• Place floating flower arrangements or colorful floating orbs in the pond for a touch of whimsy. Kids especially love watching floating arrangements in your pond!

• Birdhouses and feeders encourage wildlife to make a stop. Adding birdhouses and feeders nearby also welcomes the return of birds in spring.

Summer

• Add tropical plants like canna lilies or elephant ears for a lush, vibrant look. While our Minnesota climate may not be the most friendly for some exotic tropical plants, bringing your summer plants indoors when things start getting cold at the end of the year is one way to incorporate some special plants in your space.

• If you’re thinking about seasonal plants, water lilies thrive in the summer sun, adding beauty and shade to the pond. Getting your lilies firmly planted in the summer will help ensure they stay healthy during our cold winter months.

• String solar-powered fairy lights around the pond for make for enchanting summer evenings. The lights can create a dazzling display over the surface of the pond that will leave you in awe of your serene water garden.

Autumn

• While many decorate their front entryway with pumpkins, you can get outside the box and arrange pumpkins and gourds around your pond too. In the same way as floating flower arrangements, you could also consider floating some mini pumpkins for a super fun fall touch.

• You could also incorporate potted mums, asters, or ornamental cabbages to bring autumn colors to your pond setting. This really applies to any time of year–find the flower or plant matching the season, and get it next to your feature!

• As the nights grow longer, you could add lanterns or solar lights for a warm, cozy glow. Or, add a pondside fire feature or a fire ring to get some cozy time around your beautiful pond.

Winter

• Placing some evergreen boughs and holly around the pond’s edge for a splash of color against the winter landscape will add some wonderful charm!

• As the weather drops, your pond will freeze, creating ice sculptures that have a magical winter look to them. While this may not be an intentional act of decorating on your part, it’s still a part of your ponds winter decor.

• Adorning the feature area with waterproof LED holiday lights or weather-resistant ornaments will bring a festive atmosphere to perfectly match the winter wonderland the ice brings to your pond. Turn it into your very own winter haven!

All Seasons

• Whether it’s summer or winter, statues can be a timeless addition to any yard. You can invest into some themed statuary that reflect the season, or simply find some timeless masterpiece that connects to you all-year-round.

• Wind chimes are often forgotten as a yard feature. Hanging wind chimes complement the season’s ambiance, whether it’s the gentle tinkling in a summer breeze or the robust tones during a brisk winter wind.

• If you have kids, get fun and creative with pinwheels, flyers, flags, decorative stakes, fairy gardens, and whatever you want! It’s your pond, your yard, and your rules. Run with it!

Maintenance

• At the end of the day, keep your pond tidy. Remove dead flowers and fallen leaves so that your pond doesn’t become neglected. A neglected pond isn’t appealing or healthy. 

• Don’t forget to adjust your pond care routine with each season, such as more frequent cleaning in the fall or shutting down appropriate pumps before freezing in winter. With a little bit of cleaning and maintenance help, your pond will virtually run on its own!

With these seasonal decoration ideas, your pond and water features can become a focal point of celebration throughout the year, reflecting the natural beauty and charm of each season.

Want to see water in action, follow our pond journey, and learn more about taking care of your own water feature? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok!

Want to see water in action, follow our pond journey, and learn more about taking care of your own water feature? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok!

Miniatures

Tabletop Fountains

Perfect for tiny patios, balconies, and offices, tabletop fountains can be placed on a table or bench. They come in various designs, from sleek modern styles to more rustic and natural options, and can easily be moved around your home and placed in the perfect spot. One of the most enticing aspects of a tabletop fountain is that it can be set up and placed anywhere by anyone, and only needs to be plugged in or operated by a set of batteries.

Container Water Gardens

These can be ideal for tiny spaces. While you can DIY it and use a large pot or a decorative container to create a miniature pond, there are also a variety of miniature water garden kits available like the one pictured above that make the process easy and ensure that you have all the components to make it work. With the right elements, you can add aquatic plants and sometimes even small fish. Container water gardens can be easier to maintain and can be a charming focal point on a patio, in a small garden corner, and even inside your home! (this is certainly a plus to miniature water gardening when us Minnesotans are stuck inside half the year!)

Fountains

Bubbling Fountains and Boulders

Bubbling fountains and boulders are low-profile, easy to install, are more budget-friendly than other water features, and can fit in the smallest of spaces. Water bubbles up from a small pump through the fountain and cascades up and over the rock or boulder of your choosing, creating a gentle sound. Fountain pieces are customizable by being able to add additional fountain rocks and boulders to the same area for more water effects. These features are also great for attracting birds and wildlife. So if you don’t want any extra furry friends around enjoying your fountain, you might want to reconsider.

Spout and Basin Features

A classic spout pouring into a small basin can create an elegant and peaceful ambiance, as well as give you the presence of flowing water. These features only take up the slightest more space than a regular fountain piece does, and are definitely compact enough for tiny yard spaces. Spout and basin features are often loved by children and dogs that can cool off in and play in the basin on hot days. 

Pondless Waterfalls

Small Pondless Waterfalls

Pondless waterfalls are beautiful water features that re-circulate water from a hidden reservoir up through an Aquascape BioFalls at the top of your falls, creating a cascading waterfall or stream effect without the need for a pond. A pondless waterfall can be as small as a few feet and fit all those narrow, unused spaces in your yard. This type of water feature is low maintenance and safe for homes with small children and pets.

Ponds

Small Ponds

While you may envision an expansive pondscape stretching across your yard, ponds can be as small as just a few feet around. Ponds are natural features that can be built around existing aspects of your landscaping, and incorporated into a new outdoor remodel of your backyard.

When it comes to waterscapes, the sky really is the limit. From miniature to gigantic, there are very few limits on water features in your yard. There is a fountain, waterfall, and Superior Pond for everyone!

Want to see water in action, follow our pond journey, and learn more about taking care of your own water feature? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok!