With the autumnal equinox making her debut this week, I can't help but crave the fiery colors that come along with this season. As my children watch from our window our punctual maple next to our backyard waterfall starts to unveil her seasonal splendor. Oooh's and ahhh's fill our living room. A touch of magic is in the air and the questions start from my eldest daughter. "Daddy, how did you do that?! Did you paint the leaves while I slept? Oh, thank you. You used my favorite colors!"

Since we live in Southern California, we spend ample amounts of time in our yard all year round.  Because of this we chose an assortment of plants, shrubs and trees that show their beauty at different times of the year. As the seasons change some plants grow dormant while others are coming out of their shell.

Try the following in your landscape  to add some autumn splendor:

From Left: Baby's Breath, Sedum Angelina, Japanese Red Maple, Barberry Shrub

This half acre lake in Vista CA has created its own natural ecosystem that attracts a wide array of fish and birds.

Spend the afternoon fishing or boating in your own backyard.

Check out this raging waterfall in Vista!

When San Diego Ponds is looking for inspiration we take a day trip to one of the many diverse gardens and water features open to the public. We recommend you do the same. You will be awe inspired. Take note on the elements of style that you enjoy. San Diego Ponds can work with you to design the perfect water feature to match your inspiration.

Self Realization Fellowship - Meditation Gardens - Encinitas, CA

Quail Botanical Gardens - Encinitas, CA

Gardens of Balboa Park - San Diego, CA

I can not emphasize enough the importance of properly aerating your pond water. Pond water must circulate to maintain healthy oxygen levels. If oxygen levels drop there will be unpleasant and possibly deadly consequences. Low levels in pond and lake water can cause a number of issues.

The two main problems that occur are algae blooms and  fish kills. Algae blooms are unsightly and once set in motion hard to stop. It is so much easier to prevent an algae bloom than to eradicate one. Algae blooms further strip essential oxygen from your pond and lake water making it uninhabitable therefore, if things get bad a fish kill will follow. Fish require certain levels of dissolved oxygen in the water to survive. Without healthy levels they will in fact die.

So, how can you properly aerate your pond or lake? The answer is simple. Creating a waterfall that empties into your lake or pond is both visually pleasing and gets the job done. Other popular and effective ways to aerate your pond or lake include; fountains, spitters, and both floating or subsurface aeration devices depending on the size of your body of water.

San Diego Ponds installs every type of aeration device from small container ponds to lakes. We will build it or fix it.

The Koi Club of San Diego is hosting their 23rd anual Koi Show at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.  February 12 - 14 2010. Check out the link below for more information.

Koi Show Del Mar Fairgrounds

Koi shows are a great way to network with experts of the Koi industry. Come check out  some of the most beautiful Koi in the world.

Hope to see you there!

Have a "stay-cation" in your own yard. Imagine being able to disconnect from your every day routine as you lounge by your water feature and enjoy the sounds of splashing water, birds singing as the soothing sounds of nature take you away.

San Diego Ponds specializes in the design and construction of  tropical water gardens.

With the first day of spring less than a month away it's time to start thinking about cleaning up your water feature. Aquatic plants will start to come out of their winter slumber and flourish.  Fish and other aquatic animals will start revving  up and growing as well. Clean pond water will help both your aquatic plants and animals thrive. Here are a few tips on spring cleaning your pond or water feature:

• Clear topical debris with your net.
• Some aquatic plants will need to be trimmed of dead foliage.
• Remove excess sludge and excess debris from bottom of pond.
• Do a partial water change.
• Clean your filters.
• Add beneficial bacteria to  jumpstart the biological process for the next season.
• Don't forget to dechlorinate any water used in your water changes.
• If your pond or water feature has a uv light this would be a great time to clean the lenses and change out the bulb.
• Don't forget that it is important not to overfeed your aquatic animals. Any excess food left in the water will both get trapped in your filter and make for dirty water.

If you take the time to follow this short list we promise you will be rewarded with a beautiful water feature that you will enjoy for years to come!

San Diego Ponds  provides annual pond cleaning services. Give us a call or use our form to contact us, we will contact you shortly to schedule an appointment.

Add a splash of drama to your pond or lake with a floating fountain. Floating fountains are an excellent option when it comes to aerating your pond or lake and by now we all know how San Diego Ponds feels about aerating your water feature, an aerated body of water is a happy healthy body of water.  San Diego Ponds found a great product called Toba Fountains. Their product is completely wireless battery operated and is controlled by remote. Their floating fountains have an assortment of spray and light patterns that can be changed with a click of a button. Some of the most popular spray patterns are; the bubbler, bell shaped, geyser, ring, tulip or the multi-tiered.  There is an option to place your fountain on automatic which gives you a water light show any time you wish. Hey, who wouldn't want a taste of Vegas in their own backyard? Think of what your house guests will say when they have their own private water show at your next party. It will surely be the talk of the town.

Check out Toba Fountains today!

www.tobafountains.com