Create a Pond Sanctuary

Few activities are as therapeutic as watching water. "Whether tranquil and reflective, or spouting with fun and decorative water statues, adding a water garden feature will repay customers with hours of pleasure and can even increase the value of a home," said Dan Meyer, owner of Harrison, Ohio-based Meyer Aquascapes.

Meyer describes water gardens or backyard ponds, which many landscape and gardening experts say is the leading lawn feature in demand today. A growing trend toward outdoor living is driving a greater number of people to rediscover their backyards as a natural extension of their living space.

Unlike other enhancements, a pond can become a backyard's focal point with the ability to transform a static green space into a beautiful and restful sanctuary. "The sound of water brings another dimension to a garden, and pond plants and fish bring uniqueness to a property," said Penny Kramme, garden center manager and water garden specialist at Bob Lenc Landscaping Inc. and Lawn Care in Des Moines, Iowa.

At roughly the cost of a hot tub to purchase and install, the National Association of Realtors estimated in 2003 that a well-designed and maintained pond could increase residential property values by 8 percent.

Back to Nature
Backyard ponds have gained a reputation for being as labor intensive and chemically regulated as swimming pools. However, technological advances have ushered in a natural revolution in aquatic landscaping that is redefining how ponds are designed, built and maintained.

"The key to building a low-maintenance water feature is to create a working ecosystem that aligns itself with nature," says Meyer, a certified installer of the 20-step Aquascape Ecosystem. Instead of chemicals, environmentally-friendly pond designs use a mechanical and biological filtration system and supplemental bacteria to keep the water clean and routinely maintain the ecological balance.

Properly installed systems can accommodate soothing waterfalls and fountains, marginal plants rooted directly into gravel and popular fish like koi and goldfish. Regardless of the myriad of features available, the primary elements of a water garden or backyard pond include:

• Underlayment
• Liner
• Plant pockets
• Rocks and Gravel
• Pump
• Filter
• Plants, fish and bacteria

Bigger Can Be Better
Location and size are the two most important decisions to make about a water feature. Gardens can be enjoyed from inside and outside of the house. Since visibility is critical, it makes the most sense to place it near a spot where customers relax, such as a deck or sitting area.

When selecting a site, another factor to consider is sunlight. Ponds should receive at least four to six hours of sun each day to allow water lilies to bloom.

Achieving success with a sustainable ornamental pond hinges on building one that's big enough. Although the primary expense of building a backyard pond is in direct proportion to its perimeter, size does matter. A larger pond can reach an ecological balance faster, as well as more efficiently recycle organic waste and better support a stable ecosystem.

"The standard starter is 6 x 8-foot, although everyone I speak to who starts with that size wishes they had built larger," Kramme adds. "The average size for a typical property is 11 x 16-foot, yielding an approximately 3,000-gallon pond."

While some customers may want an unconventional design, from an economical and practical standpoint, landscape experts say it's best to keep the pond shaped like a circle, oval or kidney.

While many manufacturers have training programs available, you also can visit the Lowe's How-To Library for a comprehensive primer on planning and building a water garden.