Have you been wondering about how to incorporate a water feature into your yard? Let the Greenhaven team help you better understand the best water features for you and your lifestyle!
At Greenhaven, we love water features. In our estimation, there are few elements that you could incorporate into your yard that have more power to create a sense of peace and well-being. They’re calming, they’re beautiful, and they’re bound to be a conversation-starter.
Of course, there’s also a lot to consider when planning to add a water feature to your landscape. We want you to make the most confident decisions possible when enhancing your yard, so here are five important things we believe you should consider when adding a water feature.
What water feature options do I have for my yard?
You might be interested in adding a water feature (they sure sound nice, right?), but you might not know where to start. No worries, that’s what we’re here for!
Some of our favorite water features are bubblers, waterfalls, and koi ponds.
Bubblers can come in all sorts of styles and configurations, and we would recommend this option for those households that are searching for the calming effect of water, but are looking for a little less maintenance than other options might require.
Waterfalls are perhaps our favorite style of water feature. Why? Because they not only possess the soothing, repetitious sounds of nature, but waterfalls can actually have a positive effect on your well-being. In fact, it’s even called the waterfall effect!
Essentially, some experts believe that when water crashes into itself, it releases negative ions into the air. When we breathe in these ions, it has a chemical effect that can boost our energy or even relieve feelings of stress or anxiety.
We love koi ponds because they add considerable color, drama, and beauty to a yard. You’re intentionally incorporating a reflective, peaceful space into your yard’s landscape, which can only help support your long-term well-being.
Of course, there are many other water feature-based options we can create for you! The sky (or is it ocean?) is the limit!
Where should I build my water feature in my yard?
This is a deeply personal decision. One that takes a little personal introspection, some consideration with your loved ones, as well as collaboration with your landscape design team.
What we’d urge you to consider is what your new water feature is for. Is your goal to create a focal point? To foster conversation with visitors and loved ones? Then giving your water feature a prominent placement is probably an appropriate choice for you.
Instead, are you looking for a place for meditation and introspection? Perhaps a more subtle, private incorporation into the landscape is more appropriate.
Another crucial consideration is what else do you need to use this space for? If you or a loved one needs space for athletics, for instance, then we can work with you to create a sense of harmony between your new water feature and all the other things you want to do in your yard.
We’re creative and effective, and we’re confident that we can help you achieve a multi-function and aesthetically pleasing space!
Will my water feature attract pests?
Here’s the thing about any outdoor space: the potential for pests always exists, but there are a variety of things you can do to ensure that pests aren’t a big concern.
One of the most important things you can do to keep pests away from your new water feature? Don’t let it turn into standing water! Standing water creates conditions that are optimal for bacteria to grow, and attracts insects, inviting them to lay their eggs there. Deep water is also of the essence. Insect larvae like shallow water, so the deeper, the better!
Ensure that your water features’ water pump is properly maintained so that it keeps water flowing at its appropriate rate, which is typically a 50% flow rate, meaning that it should be pumping out approximately half of your water feature’s volume on a per hour basis.
Additionally, you’ll want to regularly remove all debris from your water feature. Debris can potentially clog your pump, causing it to break down and create pest-friendly conditions. Pests like mosquitos require very little water and very little time to lay eggs. Another way to give your water feature even more protection from pests is to install a filtration system.
A natural way to keep insects out of your water feature is actually by having fish in the pond itself, as they’ll feed on the insects. Certain insects, like dragonflies, will feed on mosquito larvae, providing another natural way to keep pests at a minimum.
If you need to, and you are open to it (assuming it wouldn’t disrupt any other biological activity in your water feature), there are larvicides that you can periodically add to your water feature to prevent pest activity.
Ready to learn more about adding a water feature to your landscape? You deserve the sense of peace and beauty that our team’s work can help create in your life. We’d love the opportunity to make a custom water feature a whole new part of your yard.
For 25 years, Greenhaven Landscapes has been supporting our clients in creating some of the most beautiful water feature designs in the Pacific Northwest! Contact us today for your water feature consultation!