People have different reasons for adding a water feature to their landscape. Some want the tranquility a pond offers. Others want to see fish swimming in their backyard, and still others love the beauty of the aquatic plants. Remember, a pond is a complete, self-contained Eco-system, but is vastly effected and influenced from outside. One of these influences is the sun, which if denied, will doom your project from the very beginning. This Eco-system uses the sun for many different reasons, so place your pool in an area where there will be plenty of direct sunlight. Ponds have been placed in low-light situations, but do not fair as well. There are basically two facets of Water Gardening, the chemistry of the water and the habits of the aquatic life like fish and plants. Water is truly a work of art and you should treat it as such.

Decide now if you want a formal or informal pond. It’s tough to change your mind once you have started. We can say this enough, PLAN AHEAD before you just start digging a hole in the ground. Water gardening is an art form not just a hobby. Well thought out and researched plans will save you a lot of headaches down the road. This is one reason while our site gives you a 200-page database of information and training, it’s that important! On the following pages, we will discuss the different styles of water gardens to help you decide which fits your lifestyle and design qualities.