For thousands of years, virtually every culture and age has recognized the aesthetic qualities of water as well as its importance in sustaining life. The practice of gardening with water has been modified and refined to suit many needs and tastes. Today for gardeners and landscapers alike, garden pools can open up a whole new world of possibilities. There is virtually no limit to the styles and sizes of garden pools. Whether it takes the form of a simple container fountain bubbling peacefully on a patio, a pondless waterfall cascading down a hillside or a large pond stocked with colorful koi and a variety of plants, water features in a garden can be a welcome addition to any space.

Fish are the focal point of many garden pools. They also serve a practical purpose by helping to create an ecological balance in a watery environment by feeding on algae and insect larvae. Plants also serve an important role. Algae thrives in sunlight, so it is wise to deprive them of it. Plants covering some of the surface of the water will compete with algae for available light.  Plants covering some of the surface of the water will compete with algae for available sunlight.      Oxygenating plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen for the use of other plants and fish. Just make sure that plants cover less than 50% of the surface area of a pond when sharing the area with fish.

A well crafted garden pond can create a radically different change in scenery from the immediate surroundings. How could a walk over a rustic wooden bridge or water lined pathway not affect your mood pleasantly? A variety of styles bring different feelings and emotions but as a whole the presence of water creates a feeling of peace and serenity. Getting back to nature, slow down long enough to breath in your peaceful surroundings and exhale calmness. 

Vanishing waterfalls and ‘endless’ streams are the hot new must have backyard accessory. Now using the latest technology you can enjoy the sounds of a water feature with less maintenance. Building a waterfall without a pond is ideal for businesses, schools, and homeowners who want the sights and sounds of a waterfall or stream but do not want the liability or maintenance associated with a pond. Using natural stone, pond-less waterfalls and streams are a beautiful way to add life to your landscape. Since vanishing waterfalls and streams are devoid of any pooling water it is unnecessary to keep the water pump running 24 hours a day. Many businesses and homeowners enjoy placing their waterfalls and streams on timers so the water feature can be enjoyed during specific hours. When the waterfall or stream is not running the water collects out of sight in the underground reservoir leaving a beautiful dry stream and rock garden to enjoy. San Diego Ponds can design a vanishing waterfall or stream to blend into your surrounding landscape with a number of style options such as a desert oasis, mountain scene, jungle-scape, or contemporary architecture.

So often when designing our Southern California landscapes we will test nature by trying to mold our environment into something it is not. We try to form our desert into a lush green landscape style that requires a massive amount of water to survive. San Diego Ponds works with our arid climate to enhance the natural beauty that is indigenous to this area by coupling natural stone and wood with drought-tolerant plants.

The Xeric Garden is a prime example of how drought-tolerant plants and a water efficient irrigation system may be allied to conserve water, yet create an attractive landscape. The term xeriscape comes from xeros, the Greek word for dry. Combined with scape which literally means a picture or a view of a type of scene, we have the term for a dry landscape. Many people have a negative association with this word, thinking that all xeriscapes are hot, hostile and very thorny. Some associate the term with minimal plant material and lots of rock. Actually, xeriscaping is  very attractive, quite lush and extremely colorful.

A xeriscape garden can feature numerous plants introduced from Australia, South America, Mexico, and the Mediterranean. A large variety of plants indigenous to the four desert regions of North America flourish in Southern California as well.

Xeriscaping utilizes several principles that make the design unique and water-wise. First and foremost, the design should embrace the concept of an oasis. The cool, lush areas that require the highest use of water should be placed near the area where one lives. The further away from the oasis, the less water consumptive the landscape.

Next is the limitation of turf areas. Place modest quantities of turf in areas where it will be used for cooling the environment, for play and recreation. Don't forget the utilitarian need for animals. There is no sense in placing thousands of square feet of turf grass out where no one will use it. Often, less water consumptive landscape materials such as groundcovers or mulches may be utilized in place of thirsty grasses.

Of equal importance is the irrigation system design. Most modern systems are very efficient, utilizing the latest in technology. Bubblers or drip emitters are placed accordingly for trees and shrubs, allowing for low volume, deep soakings. The design for turf areas should allow for completely separate valves. The irrigation controllers should have independent scheduling for turf areas and those which contain trees and shrubs.

In addition to efficient irrigation design, the landscape should make use of some amendments to improve the capacity of the soil to hold water and nutrients. Mulch covers on the soil surface help to reduce erosion, retain moisture and minimize the fluctuation in soil temperature.

The use of water efficient plants does not necessarily mean drab gray plants with lots of thorns or just cactus. The "green industry" has spent a considerable amount of time and money to introduce lush, colorful plants from all over the world. Many are well adapted to our desert conditions.

Xeriscape gardens and landscapes provide for many of the basic needs of wildlife. Trees, shrubs and groundcovers provide a variety of foods such as seed, fruit and nectar. Insects attracted by various plants also become food for birds and reptiles. Wildlife also seeks the shelter that many plants render. Plants afford protection from predators and the elements and provide nesting sites for birds.

No matter what you call it: desert landscaping, water efficient landscaping or xeriscaping, just remember, if you live in the desert or arid region, it is the right thing to do! Make the most of your landscape and you will enjoy it for many years to come!

We live on a spring fed lake that takes up approximately a 1/2 acre of our land. It is the first thing you see when entering our property and is the main gathering area when we entertain. It brings us indescribable amounts of happiness; a place for quiet reflection, family boating, fishing, bird watching and so forth. As it is a natural lake the water clarity fluctuates due to algea blooms and other natural variables. We have two aeration systems that have been in place for a number of months now and this  has improved our water clarity to a certain extent but we want more!

This week we went to work on a bog filter at the far end of our property next to our lake. This system pumps water from one end of the lake to the bog filter which is essentially a shallow water garden where it filters through many layers of rock, gravel and plant material. The clean filtered water then spills over the top, cascades into a waterfall then returns back to the lake.

We are anxious to see the results and are dreaming about the day we can put that rope swing into use. Cowabunga!!!