PONDS

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PONDS

a spring pond

The pond system occupies the center area of the back garden. The older pond is approximately 16 X 20 in an oval (egg) shape, with a plant area "shallow end" about 2 ft. deep, and a "deep end" about 3 1/2 ft deep. There is a bottom drain, a skimmer placed "down wind" in the deep end and a "spring" offset as a water return. My husband, Duane, placed 12 X 12 inch red cement pavers on sand around the pond so all could be lifted if necessary for any repairs or enlargements. His next project was to build a lath Summer House, to provide a retreat area of shade during hot weather. The lath house is large enough to hold a patio table and chairs.

Boy playing Flute

Behind the fountain is a sectioned area for floating plants (water hyacinths) with a 40 ft. stream bed (curving from the rear of the old pond to the rear of the newer pond). The entire stream and new pond are lined with a single piece of butyl rubber. The stream is entirely filled with gravel as the only planting medium, thus allowing the roots of the various plants to utilize nutrients in the water returning from the filter before it reenters the ponds. This has proved to be very a very effective addition to our filter system. The area between the curving stream bed and the two ponds is my "plant island", with various marginal and partly shaded plants doing well under the Queen palms. Additional seating is provided by a park bench set into the curve. Stepping stones offer a pathway across the "island" and continue across the stream bed to the path on the other side.

Carole & Duane modified their backyard ponds in 2011,

as well as their computer to broadband (carohamltn@charter.net).

1. See the pump at the top-left which pushes the water in a clockwise flow.

This past november we discovered a leak had developed in our stream bed and it became necessary to dismantle and redo the whole stream. As long as we were redoing we also relined the older pond. Naturally this led to adding the swim-through (under the bridge we found last year). The center plant island it truly an Island now, and again offers the opportunity for more plants (weeding out ones that didn’t thrive and adding to the ones that did).

2. The water then circulates to the right and down to the ponds.

This view is from the newer pond looking up the stream. The plant bowl sitting in the ledge area is a dormant water lily (chromium Yellow). We’ve been very pleased with the function of the steamed and except for early spring, when string algae forms is easy to maintain. So, in the spring we dye the water blue to shade out the algae and once the weather becomes stable the algae is controlled.

3. The water enters the first of the interconnecting two ponds.

You are looking at the steam entrance to the newer pond with the bridge and summer house to the right and our backyard just past the cross fencing with our house in the background. We lost most of our iris collection over the past two drought years, and are changing the flower beds over to more water thrifty plantings. The only iris I have now are water iris, in shades of lavender and white. To the left side of the pond you’ll notice two plant containers holding more dormant water lilies in shades of light pink.

4. The water then returns to/from the second pond (in a circular motion).

We installed a bridge over the flow between the two ponds. The koi can swim back-and-forth in both ponds. We also have a peaceful park-like setting in the center island (see the wide angle #1 photo above).

This view features the plant island with another view of the bridge and summer house. Looking east is an area of shade trees and other planting beds. These areas have evolved over the years and be really enjoy the mature palms and shade trees. There are benches and a swing to sit and enjoy the ponds. We plan to put a heavier shade cloth over the roof of the summer house to allow more options during hot weather. the lathe top allows too much heat to come through to be fully comfortable.

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