Daylight Savings has hit, the afternoons are getting warmer and before you know it, Florida's summer humidity will be hanging over us once again.
For many, the Sunshine State can be too warm to spend much time outdoors. But there is a secret to making your outdoor living space seem cooler”water.
Water is a key element in Japanese gardens. Japan, like central Florida, has hot, humid summers. The Japanese use the sight and sound of water to create the feeling of cooler temperatures and a relaxing environment.
Moorish architects in places like the Alhambra in Spain also used water features to create the same effect.
Central Florida is an ideal place for water features. They are functional year round and provide a wonderful element to any garden or exterior space. They are delightfully beguiling once installed. What type of water feature, however, depends not only on the space available but also on the cost and amount of maintenance required. Options range from easy-to-assemble fountains and fountain kits to preformed ponds and ponds that require excavation.
Visible and audible delight
My former partner had always wanted a “water feature.” So when we bought our last house he decided it was time. He found and hired a contractor who excavated, hauled in tons of rock and created a 2,000-gallon pond with quadruple waterfalls surrounded by tropical landscaping. It even had a stone bridge over one end.
The sound was wonderful. It was a delight to eat and entertain outside by the pond. We could see and hear it from the breakfast room and my home office. Both of us truly enjoyed the pond and never tired of sitting by it. When it came time to sell, the pond captivated every potential buyer. I am convinced one reason our house sold (pre-bubble) in two days at full price was the pond's impact.
But it did have its downside. I called the pond, “The hobby I never knew I wanted,” with good reason. Along with the pond came the koi. These beautiful fish add so much to a large pond. But that means you are now dealing with a living environmental system, not just a body of water. Once a week I would check the pH. The water level had to be maintained. The bio filter required periodic cleaning. And we had to have a fish sitter feed them when we were on vacation.
I never regretted the time and expense it took to maintain such a delightful ecosystem. But I had no idea of the amount of time I would be spending on the pond when we had it installed. And so the first question anyone should ask when considering a water feature is, “How much time am I willing to commit for maintenance?”
If the goal is to create something that is just visual or visual with sound that requires minimal maintenance, a fountain is a wise choice. There are many fine pre-cast fountains that are readily available. Many are designed for a more formal or classic design.
My personal preference is for a more natural look for both the landscaping and any water feature. There are fountain kits that are designed to blend in with their surroundings. Such kits require that you dig a small hole for a liner and surround the base of the fountain with stone. The water runs down the side of the fountain and into the gravel and is re-circulated. Usually a ceramic container is used for the fountain base, thus allowing its owner to exercise personal taste in the lection of the various components. The result is a fountain that is more personal than the pre-cast alternative.
Pondering ponds
Similar choices can be found for ponds. Go to any home improvement store's garden center and you will see plastic, preformed ponds. And I have seen some of these installed in such a way that they do add to their garden setting. Another alternative is to build your own pond. This allows the pond to be personalized and does save on the costs. But a well designed pond is not as easy to create as one might think.
My former partner and I chose to hire a contractor who had installed a pond for a client of his. We knew our limitations in terms of skill and time. We were presented with various plans and landscaping options that were based on our preferences.
The cost was substantial, about what an in-ground pool would have been, but the result was more pleasing and we could enjoy it year-round. It certainly proved to be a better return on investment when it came time to sell.
My only regret is that we relied on my partner's choice of contractor. I have since discovered two other resources that are gay owned and very professional. They are Thomas Armstrong, Landscape Architect, TomsPonds.com, and Pondscapes in Tampa, Pondscapes-Tampa.com. If you are at all interested in a water feature you should spend time on both sites.
Know your resources
Michael, the owner of Pondscapes, was a great resource when it came to understanding and maintaining my pond. He no longer does installations, but his store is a great resource for fountains, fish, and all manner of pond supplies. He does do custom design work and has a free class once a month on how to build your own pond. I still enjoy stopping by his store and admiring the fountains, garden accents and koi he has in stock.
Tom of Tom's Ponds is a landscape architect. He prides himself on his custom designs and creativity. His approach is holistic and organic. As a result his ponds and choice of fountains form an intrinsic element that fit naturally into the design. Because of logistics he currently limits his area to Lakeland over to Tampa Bay and down to Sarasota.
So whatever your budget and however much maintenance you are prepared to devote, there are wonderful choices available. Once you have enjoyed having a water feature you will understand why they add so much to any garden or landscape”and much needed relief during our Florida summers.
