Fountains, and ponds, and bubblers – Oh my!
With our clocks set forward and (slightly) less rain in the forecast, Springtime is almost here in the PNW! Spring is one of our favorite seasons – mainly because it’s the hottest time of year in the landscaping biz. Homeowners are finally ready to break out those gardening gloves and get to work on making their yard beautiful after a long winter, and we get to work with new and old clients alike to help them build a perfect backyard oasis for the warmer season.
Something we think is going to be especially popular in the landscaping world this year? Water features!
But, backyard water features, like fountains, ponds, and waterfalls, can be big investments, so we understand where our clients are coming from when they share their concerns with us during our initial consultation meeting. We think water features are just a bit misunderstood in the landscaping world, so let’s dive into a few of the most common misconceptions we get when we talk to people about building a custom water feature for their yard.
“I don’t have enough space for a water feature”
One of the most common challenges we face when working on a new landscaping project is dealing with space. Some yards simply have more space than others to work with when thinking about landscape options, and a massive pond or rushing waterfall probably won’t fit every yard. But, there are so many great options if you want to incorporate water into your yard without compromising on usable space.
Fountains and bubblers can be customized to fit nearly any size space, and an experienced landscape designer (like the team at Greenhaven!) can work with surprisingly small yards and create something beautiful.
If you’re working with a teeny tiny yard (or no yard at all, even), tabletop fountains or bubblers are a great way to bring a bit of serenity to your space without giving up valuable real estate. You can also mount some fountains to a wall or fence – no footprint needed!
“Water features are too expensive”
Fountains, waterfalls, and ponds are sometimes associated with luxury estates or large community parks, leading many homeowners to believe that they simply couldn’t afford to incorporate a water feature into their backyard space. Well, we kindly tell those homeowners that they are very wrong!
There are tons of affordable ways to bring some water into your landscaping, like using more affordable materials (not all fountains need to be made of solid gold and Carrera marble, you know), keeping it simple with the design, and getting creative with space.
Any good landscape designer will work with you to not only make sure you’re happy with the water feature you decide on but make sure you don’t go into debt trying to build it!
“The maintenance needed for water features is unmanageable”
We get it; the last thing you want to do when we get those few months of nice weather in the Pacific Northwest is more yard work, but we’re here to calm your nerves. Maintaining your water feature is actually not as scary – or difficult – as it may seem, and the benefits far outweigh that little bit of extra work.
Depending on the size of your water feature, changing out the water a few times a year, giving any rocks or stone a good power wash, and cleaning out any debris are honestly the hardest parts of water feature maintenance. That’s not that bad, is it?
If you’re still not convinced, you can check out our blog on water feature care, or reach out to us to get the full rundown on proper maintenance that may come with a new water feature. We’re here to make sure you’re set up for success and weigh all the pros and cons before investing!
Now that the myths have been busted…what’s stopping you?
Still not sure you’re ready to invest in a pond, bubbler, or waterfall for your backyard space? We get it – it’s a big decision. But, our team is well-equipped to answer your questions, quell your concerns, and help you get started on building the yard of your dreams. Contact us to book a consultation – just in time for Summer!