There are a lot of myths out there on what is needed to maintain a pond, or on why a pond will bring you nothing but problems and headaches. Here are seven specific myths that I would like to officially destroy and hopefully help convince more of you out there to become a pond owner and water gardener.
Raccoons will eat all of your fish - Raccoons do not like to swim and will usually sit on the side to swipe fish with their paws. The fish are aware of a possible threat and will swim to the bottom and stay out of harms way until the threat goes away.
Rocks and gravel make it difficult to clean the pond - The Eco system pond will maintain a natural balance that allows mother nature to do the maintenance work on her own. Beneficial bacteria are able to colonize on the rock and gravel which are able to break down debris and muck that would usually feed algae and help it grow.
Fish cannot survive in cold climate - When temperatures drop the the fish will naturally swim to the bottom and hibernate during the winter, there is no need to bring them inside and protect them from the cold weather.
You must test your pond for PH daily - When working with aquariums and pools of water that use chemicals, you do need to check the PH balance often. But when working with a natural Eco system, there is no need to test
Ponds attract mosquito's - Mosquito's love stagnant water, so if the pond is stagnant then there will be mosquito's near by. The trick is to continuously have the water moving and less mosquito's will come around. Also any larvae on the water surface will be taken in by the skimmer and drowned, or eaten by the fish. A properly built pond can actually reduce the number of mosquito's in the area.
Draining and cleaning the pond must be done on a regular basis - If the pond you have is not working with a natural Eco system, draining and cleaning the pond will be a regular headache. But if you are taking advantage of a naturally balanced pond you may have your pond cleaned once a year max, and some don't require it at all.
The more filtration the better - If you were filtering water for drinking then more filtration is best, but when talking about a naturally balanced pond it is not necessary. Over filtering a pond can cause some maintenance problems that can become costly. if you can see a dime at the bottom of the pond, it is more than clean enough.
Still have more questions? Give California Waterscapes a call and they will be more than happy to answer them for you.
Pacific Outdoor Living were featured in an episode of Landscapers Challenge on HGTV. In this show, 3 landscape designers take on the challenge of coming up with a design that fulfills every want of the homeowner. The homeowner then chooses the winning design to be built and we also get to see the final results. Pacific Outdoor Living did indeed win this competition and the final design was jaw dropping once it was completed. Take a look at the video below which shows clips from the competition and the final result.
Pergolas are a good choice when looking to add to your outdoor area. But I do get asked often if this is an easy do it yourself project, or should a professional handle this line of work. Depending on ones experience in construction, it can be a DIY job, but I highly recommend you get a professional design done first.
There are some plans that you can purchase online, but who's to say that design which you saw on a computer screen would work perfectly with your home, hire a pro to do it. Once you have a design in hand then decide if this is a job you can take on yourself. This example here included columns, lighting, and electrical lines for a ceiling fan which can be very advanced for the average builder.
When choosing a designer or contractor, remember to always check references and past work. You only want quality work to be done on your house and this is the best way to find out how good they really are. Pacific Outdoor Living are professional landscape designers and builders and would be more than qualified in adding a pergola to you outdoor living room.
We made a quick stop at this years Pasadena Showcase House Of Design to give you a little taste of what you expect for this years home. As you will see, designers came out with some of their best ideas to really transform and beautify this home. Also make sure you stop and enjoy the Dining Pavilion which is going to be catered by Wolfgang Puck.
If you have yet to get your tickets to the Pasadena Showcase House, be sure to do so by clicking the link below.
I am always willing to pass on a great deal to you when I come across one, and this one is unbeatable. Pacific Outdoor Living is now offering homeowners to have a full landscape design package for only $995! What that package includes is a consultation with a landscape designer, concept art, full site measurements, elevation plan, drainage plan, and full custom quote for all services including itemization.
Just imagine, finally having your backyard space professionally designed and receiving it with a very large discount. This same type of package will usually go for at least $2500 with other design companies. Take advantage of this deal and get your own backyard getaway designed for you.
Call Pacific Outdoor Living today and schedule a time to consult with a landscape designer at your home and start re-designing your yard today.
Ever since I made a visit to the Armstrong Garden Center a month ago I have been thinking about a vegetable garden of my own, especially since now is the time to plant. So I did my research and here is what I learned on how to plant your own vegetable garden.
Use the sunniest spot in your yard to do the planting, after all the two things your garden will need to grow are sun and water.
Clear and prepare the land that you are going to use for your garden by using a rototiller.
If you are going to plant the seeds directly into the ground, take the soil and plant the seeds in an egg carton until they take root and then transplant them. The other choice is to buy seedlings at a nursery and then plant them.
Orientate the rows of vegetables east to west, and make sure the tallest plants are on the north end of the garden. This will be keep the smaller plants from being shaded but the bigger ones and not receiving enough sunlight during the day.
Plants a few flowers throughout the vegetable garden, this will attract bees and help pollinate the garden.
If you use these easy tips your garden will be sure to flourish and enjoying your very own freshly grown vegetables in no time.
