Small Space Water Fountain Ideas

 backyard oasis  No Responses »
Mar 202009
 

Water fountains are a wonderful addition to any backyard oasis, balcony oasis or patio. With all the different sizes available from a tabletop water fountain that can be moved indoors or outside to a water garden fountain, you will be able to find the perfect fountain for your backyard retreat. And if you have only a small patio or balcony area there are many water fountains that will still work for your small space design. Garden with Fountain
Creative Commons License photo credit: poplinre

For the small balcony oasis your best bet is a small portable water fountain or a mini barrel pond with a fountain. They come in all sizes and your final selection will be determined on how much available space you have. My one friend has their balcony water fountain near the balcony sliding doors. In the winter they enclose the balcony with plexi-glass and have an additional 5-foot by 8-foot living space. They have added additional heat with a small ornate electric heater that only needs to be used on nights where the outside temperatures fall below 25 degrees.

Using a small water fountain you can move it indoors if you live in a very cold climate and continue to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere it creates. The bubbling sounds of water create a soothing and tropical feel to any area, so take advantage of small water fountains. The addition of a fountain will also seem the make your space larger.

If your fountain is located on a patio you may be able to include a decorative container or mini pond and a larger fountain. Check your garden center to see what they have available. For a fountain located on the patio you will want to choose an area that you can turn into a mini retreat or almost a separate outdoor garden area. This can be accomplished by using a corner or side of the patio and a trellis or decorative fence section for more privacy. If you are including fish you will have to choose the fountain variety and how much sun the mini pond or pond container will receive during the day.

There is one other concern with water fountains. You need to place the fountain near and electrical outlet because the water pumps operate on normal household current. If the location that you have chosen for your fountain does not have an outlet nearby the next best alternative is to have an electrician run an underground wire to the pool site and install an outlet there. This step will adds time and expense to your project but it might be worthwhile to keep cords out of the way and to stop any possible safety concerns like tripping over cords.

Recently solar powered fountains have become popular and they have artistic beauty plus the benefit of not needing electrical cords to be laid or buried. You also have the benefit of using less electrical power, saving money and practicing green environmental practices. How to Solar Guide has a very artistic and beautiful water fountain shown on their site, along with several other unique fountains and lighting ideas for your backyard garden areas and backyard oasis.

There is a size and design in water fountains that will fit any garden, backyard oasis area, or urban living situation. Check out the possibilities and think about adding a new dimension of relaxation to your living space.

Posted by Denise at 1:53 pm  Tagged with: , , ,

Koi Fish

 koi fish  No Responses »
Mar 192009
 

Adding Koi fish to your backyard will take planning a pond habitat that will fit there needs and learning about their care. But the addition of these amazing fish and a beautiful relaxing pond and possibly a waterfall or fountain will add to your backyard oasis paradise. Pile o' koi
Creative Commons License photo credit: dalangalma

Koi Fish, a variety of the common carp, and are often referred to as being “living jewels” or “swimming flowers.” They have very unique colors and marking that make each Koi stand out. And when swimming and dashing around in a backyard pond they add hours of entertainment for the family.

Koi fish are considered to be the most popular fresh-water ornamental pond fish. And the fact they are now bred in every country verifies their popularity. Some Koi varieties are known for their hardiness. Records claim Koi can live for long periods of time if simply wrapped in wet moss continuously kept damp.

It is believed that Koi originated in Persia and spread throughout the ancient world, possibly by trade caravans going to the Middle East. As time passed they slowly were traded and have become popular everywhere.

Koi fish are a wonderful addition to the backyard oasis pond. They make a great hobby for the entire family. They also help you to relax and relieve stress as you watch their antics in the pond. Although Koi will eat many natural food sources such as algae and plants, the greatest pleasure for many Koi keepers is in feeding them.

Koi look like piranhas at feeding time. They will churn the water, jump over top of each other, and some say they even seem to walk on top of the water when dashing for food. Koi will even swim up on lily pads to get food that got trapped there. Koi Pond in the Butterfly Haven
Creative Commons License photo credit: goatling

Koi are very smart, and can be trained to eat out of your hand. But this takes time and patience. They are by nature bottom rooting and feeding carp but quickly learn to eat floating dry food. The food typically runs $1 to $2 per pound. They also like fresh fruit and vegetables. Some people feed Koi bread but I think the chemical in bread would not be good for the Koi fish

You can also buy floating found floating feeding rings to add to the enjoyment of watching Koi in the pond. They learn to “hang out” around the feeding ring.

Koi fish will add so much to your backyard pond and are very friendly. There will be many articles on how to set up aKoi  pond and  koi care at the Backyard Oasis so check back in to find more koi articles.

To ensure that they have the right environment set up for healthy living you may want to check out this e-book on Koi Ponds and Koi Care. There is also a free e-course you can sing up for .

Posted by Denise at 9:38 pm  Tagged with:

Backyard Projects for the Backyard Oasis

 backyard oasis  No Responses »
Mar 172009
 

With the gardening season almost here, but not quite, I am in a creating mood. I found a few you tubes that have wonderful ideas for you backyard. The first is a Terrestrial Water Bowl.  It’s perfect for that small space backyard, patio or balcony. They say its a 5 minute project.

The next you tube video is all about planting in planters or containers and making the best use out of small space. This is perfect for apartment dwellers and balconies. The ideas they have for planters and containers are quite creative. Use of window boxes, driveways space and other overlooked areas are discussed.

It’s amazing how bowls, containers and planters will make use of those small spaces and unused areas in your backyard or on the patio. The addition of flowers and herbs, trees and vegetables will help create your own oasis for relaxing and enjoying friends and family.

Posted by Denise at 11:09 pm  Tagged with: , , ,

Choosing Plants For Your Koi Water Garden

 Backyard Pond  No Responses »
Mar 162009
 

Your Koi water garden is finished and now the fun begins as you select garden features and water plants. Water plants help to create a relaxing feel and look to your water garden and turn it into a beautiful backyard oasis. Koi
Creative Commons License photo credit: shoe the Linux Librarian

Water plants add a final decorative touch to your water garden but they also help maintain the biological balance your garden needs to thrive and stay healthy. Plants help to control the balance of the water and keep the water cleaner.

Your water plant selection will be based on your likes and dislikes and also on the climate conditions you live in. When choosing your plants your local pet store, garden center or Koi dealer should be able to answer your questions about water plants. The internet and library will also have available information to help you.

Lotus Plants

Lotus plants are beautiful plants that give a tropical look to areas where they grow. For this reason they are very popular in Koi water gardens. Lotus plants have beautiful blooms, an artistic to the way they grown and move in the wind and a fragrance that adds another dimension the backyard oasis. For those of you who live in areas that have temperatures lower than 65 degrees will have to make arrangements to over winter the lotus if you decide the grow the plant.  Lotus life
Creative Commons License photo credit: tanakawho

I move my lotus plants into the house in the winter. I group them with my other tropical plants and get to enjoy their beauty in my zone 5 climate all year long. You may want to consider moving them to a greenhouse if you don’t have room in your house.

The lotus plants do require soil but grow semi submerged in water. They will also require a large amount of sunlight so may not be a good selection for a shady water garden.

Water Hyacinths

Water hyacinths have become very popular in the last few years because of their simplicity and ease to maintain. They do not require any type of soil or planting. After you bring them home you just place them in the water and lightly anchor them so that they do not float all over the pond. Water Hyacinths are extremely pretty and help to control both algae and blanket weeds.

Water Hyacinths are very invasive and will take over your pond and possible your yard if you allow them. They have been known to cross over fences and take over the neighbors yard, so proper control and care must be taken with these plants.

There are also plants that you add to your water pond by sitting just under the water but leave in pots. This gives you more control over adding and removing the plants and they usually are focal plants that add beauty to you garden oasis area. Your Koi dealer or garden center will be able to help you select these water plants.  Morning Glory
Creative Commons License photo credit: sherrattsam

Underwater Plants

Underwater plants live below the water line and often go unnoticed. They help battle algae, put oxygen back into the water, feed your fish for you and offer a place for you fish to hide and relax during the hot summer days.

These plants can be found in bundles at your Koi dealer or local pet store. Most underwater plants will not need additional support during the winter. Once placed in the water garden you may not think twice about them again. But check the growing needs of the plants when purchasing them

Although these water plants are rarely seen the benefits they add to your water garden and for the fish make them well worth purchasing.

Water plants will add that final tropical feeling to your backyard oasis paradise and your Koi fish will enjoy them. Just remember to let you plants adjust to their new home for two to three weeks before adding your Koi.

Posted by Denise at 9:34 pm  Tagged with: , , ,

Five Steps To a Perfect Koi Pond

 Backyard Pond  2 Responses »
Mar 152009
 

The Backyard pond adds to the feeling of the backyard oasis paradise. Babbling water, water plants, night lighting and pond decor can create an entire different atmosphere to a portion of your backyard. Adding Koi fish can add color and entertainment to your pond area. But as with all backyard projects they take thought and  planning to be successful. wr-100_0392
Creative Commons License photo credit: pondelegance

Set Up The Perfect Pond and Koi Environment

If this is your first Koi pond you need to plan your backyard pond area to be pleasing to the eye, fit into  your backyard oasis design and it needs to be set up properly. You will need to consider the ponds size, placement and type of pond.

Koi, are a very colorful variety of carp, they grow very fast and require a bigger pond than other backyard fish. So if space is a concern you may want to consider a different fish species. It’s also best to limit the amount of Koi you buy as they breed quickly.

Take your time and research building a pond. If it seems like it’s a job you might not like, leave it to the professionals. Building your pond will save you money but if it’s installed wrong it will cost more to fix the problem. You can always save money on decorating the pond and adding a waterfall or fountain yourself.

If you decide to hire a professional to install you pond check references, get several price quotes and remember that you have the final say. Listen to their suggestions about light, location and size as they have installed many ponds, but your decision if the one that counts. Also remember that the lowest price may not be the best.

Koi Care

Learn as much about Koi and their upkeep as possible. Pet stores and people who have raised Koi will be able to advise you about their eating habits, pond requirements, and seasonal needs.

Selecting your Koi

Once you pond is installed you will need to add water plants. Water plants add beauty to a pond plus benefit the fish. It will take about two to three weeks for you water plants to become acclimated to the new pond so don’t purchase your Koi until the plants have adjusted to the pond.

When selecting Koi look for healthy fish with colorful patterns. Also buy a few to begin with. This will help you get used to the care they need plus they really do multiply fast and grow rather large. Overpopulating your pond will create illness; an unhealthy pond environment and you will have the job of finding homes for your unwanted Koi.

Common Koi Pond Problems and their prevention

Koi can have certain viruses and illnesses such as Kio Herpes Virus and KHV. Buy only healthy looking Koi from a reputable pet store or Koi dealer. Also quarantine the Koi from you other fish for a while when you first bring them home. Your dealer will be able to give you a quarantine time.

Test the water in your pond once a week. Kits can be purchased from a pet store. You are looking for high bacteria levels, air quality and checking the health of your pond. Ponds with toxins and an unhealthy environment will show signs. The water plants will also often look unhealthy. Kauai Koi Pond
Creative Commons License photo credit: Mr.Thomas

Feeding Your Koi

Check with your pet store or Koi dealer for that to feed your Koi fish. They will be able to help you feed them the proper amount of food and types of food. The temperatures and time of year will affect how much your fish will consume. Koi can be fed fruits and vegetables. Some people use bread and store bought treats but I tend to want to feed fish food with as little added chemicals as possible.

Koi add color and fun to a backyard pond. They add additional entertainment if they are trained to eat directly from you hands. This takes time and patience, as the fish need to learn to trust you.

The backyard pond helps create another area of relaxation to your backyard oasis and the addition of Koi fish and water plants just adds to the tropical oasis feeling that makes your home an escape from the world.

Posted by Denise at 8:31 pm  Tagged with: , ,
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