According to an article dated 12/19/22, Zillow data identifies the top five home trends to watch, including the return of mirrored walls and closed floor plans. 
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Backyards are mentioned 22% more often in for-sale listings compared to 2021. The humble backyard, once overshadowed by chef's kitchens and walk-in closets, is the new luxury for today's home buyers. Backyards are now highlighted in 1 out of every 5 Zillow listing descriptions. "The rising popularity of outdoor features suggests the pandemic has changed the way we want to live for good, priming the backyard for a 2023 evolution," said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow's home trends expert. "When the pandemic forced all entertaining outdoors, homeowners reclaimed their backyards from the kids or the dogs. Now they're rethinking how that space could serve as an extension of their home in new, creative ways."

​This growing trend in backyard landscaping involves the installation of ponds. Ponds are not only a beautiful addition to any backyard, but they also serve several practical purposes.
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​The first and most obvious reason to install a pond in your backyard is to enhance its beauty. A pond creates a serene and tranquil atmosphere, providing a place for relaxation and meditation. The water and aquatic plants offer a peaceful environment that is conducive to contemplation and reflection.
Moreover, the fish and other wildlife that live in a pond can add an extra layer of visual interest to your backyard. A pond can also act as a natural focal point, drawing the eye to the center of your backyard and creating a sense of unity and cohesion.
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A pond can provide a habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. Fish, frogs, turtles, and birds (native & migratory) are just a few of the creatures that may make their home in your pond. As a result, a pond can become a hub of biodiversity in your backyard, supporting a wide range of species that you might not otherwise see.
Not only is this great for the environment, but it also adds an extra layer of interest to your backyard. Watching the wildlife in and around your pond can be a source of endless entertainment and fascination.

The sound of running water has long been associated with relaxation and stress relief. By installing a pond in your backyard, you can create a calming and peaceful environment that can help you to unwind after a long day. The gentle sound of water can be soothing and therapeutic, promoting relaxation and reducing stress levels. Everyone wants to live or vacation near the water. Don’t wait all year for that vacation – take one every day!
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Finally, installing a pond in your backyard can increase the value of your property. A well-designed and maintained pond can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your backyard, making it more attractive to potential buyers. Moreover, a pond can be a unique and eye-catching feature that sets your property apart from others on the market.
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​Turn your backyard from Mundane to Magical today!

​Phoenix ponds are a beautiful addition to any backyard or garden. These ponds are typically designed to have a tropical look and feel, with lush greenery and colorful fish swimming in the crystal-clear water. If you have a Phoenix pond, it's essential to provide your fish with the best food possible to help them thrive. In this blog, we'll explore the best fish food for Phoenix ponds.

​Pellets are the most popular type of fish food for phoenix ponds. These pellets are usually made from a combination of protein, vitamins, and minerals that help promote healthy growth and development. Pellets are also convenient because they can be stored for long periods and don't require refrigeration. They come in different sizes, which is important for different types of fish to be able to eat.

​Flakes are another popular type of fish food for Phoenix ponds. Flakes are easy to digest and are typically made from a variety of ingredients, including fish meal, soybean meal, and wheat flour. Flakes also come in different sizes, so you can choose the appropriate size for your fish, and they can be easily crushed up to accommodate smaller fish.

​Frozen or live foods are an excellent source of nutrition for your fish. Frozen foods include things like brine shrimp, bloodworms, and krill. Live foods include things like insects, worms, and larvae. These foods provide your fish with a variety of nutrients, and they also promote natural foraging behavior. However, live foods can be more expensive and require more effort to obtain. Most ecosystem ponds provide some of this naturally, it just needs to be stirred up from the bottom.

​Fruits and vegetables are an excellent addition to any fish's diet. This diet will also help to keep the water cleaner vs. the high-protein store-bought fish food. They provide essential vitamins and minerals that are necessary for good health. Some of the best vegetables for fish include peas (these can be frozen), lettuce, and spinach. Fruits include melons and oranges. 

​Finally, treats can be a fun addition to your fish's diet. Treats can include things like freeze-dried shrimp, krill, or other seafood, as well as Koi Krunchies. However, treats should be given sparingly and should not be the main staple of your fish's diet.

​In conclusion, providing your Phoenix pond fish with a balanced diet is essential for their health and well-being. Pellets and flakes are the most common types of fish food and are convenient and easy to use. Frozen or live foods can provide additional nutrients and promote natural foraging behavior. Vegetables are an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, while treats can be given sparingly as a fun addition to your fish's diet. By providing your fish with a balanced diet, you can help them thrive in your Phoenix pond for years to come.

​As winter begins to fade away, many pond owners start thinking about getting their Phoenix ponds ready for Spring. Proper preparation is essential for ensuring that your pond is healthy and beautiful throughout the season. Here are some tips on how to get your Phoenix pond ready for Spring.

 

​The first step in getting your pond ready for Spring is to clean up any debris that has accumulated over the winter. Hopefully, your skimmer has done most of this for you, but it’s a good idea to net out anything that may have sunk to the bottom. Use a net to remove any leaves, sticks, and other debris that may have fallen into the pond. This will help prevent any organic matter from decomposing in the water, which can lead to poor water quality and algae growth.

​Spring is also a good time to check the equipment in your pond. Inspect the pump, filter, and any other equipment to make sure they are working properly. If anything needs to be repaired or replaced, take care of it before the Spring growing season begins. 

​This is also a good time to change the oil in your pump, if appropriate, as well as clean the filters. If your pond needs a complete drain & clean, there’s still time to get that done, too. If you have pond fish over 6” long, you need to get this done before the water begins to warm up for maximum fish safety.

​As the weather warms up, your fish will become more active and will start to eat more. Start feeding them high quality fish food that is appropriate for their species once the water gets above 55 degrees. Feed them small amounts at first and gradually increase the amount as the weather gets warmer. Remember, water temps follow nighttime temps, not daytime temps, so don’t start too early.

​Beneficial Bacteria can help break down organic matter in your pond and prevent algae growth. Add a bacterial supplement to your pond to help keep the water clean and clear.

​Spring is a great time to plan for any new plantings or changes you want to make, after the last danger of frost has passed. The water should be warm enough by April that they will survive the transplant procedure with confidence. Make sure to choose plants that are appropriate for your climate and that will thrive in your pond's conditions.
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​By following these tips, you can get your Phoenix pond ready for Spring and enjoy a beautiful and healthy pond all Summer long. With a little bit of effort and planning, you can create a beautiful backyard oasis that you and your family can enjoy for years to come!

Did you know that 45% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, but only 8% of them actually keep their resolutions? It probably comes as no surprise that the top three resolutions for 2023 are to exercise more, followed by eating healthier, with losing weight coming in third.
Saving money and spending more time with friends and family were hot on the heels of the top three, according to the Statista Global Consumer Survey. But why stop at making resolutions for your personal well-being? Why not make a few resolutions in 2023 geared toward your pond and/or outdoor living space? Home is where the heart is, right? Here are five pond resolutions for you to consider making this year that are sure to improve your pondering experience!
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When you understand how all the components of your water feature work together, you’ll be better equipped to make knowledgeable choices to maintain a healthy pond. We have tons of information here on our blog dedicated to ponds in Phoenix.
You can also learn about the pond ecosystem (and more) at www.aquascapeuniversity.com. Some of the classes are free and you can study at your own pace! You can also learn about the ecosystem of a pond when you download our free e-book, How to Keep Pond Water Clean and Healthy. Just keep in mind that everything in these resources may not apply to us here in Phoenix. If you have questions, just ask us!

Take a critical look at your pond and determine if you need a full clean out. You can choose to do it yourself or hire The Pond Gnome to do it for you. If your pond doesn’t need a full or partial clean out (filter cleaning), make sure you understand which water treatments to add once the weather starts warming up.

Sometimes pond owners get excited about their new pond and they forget about transitioning the water feature into the rest of their landscape. Consider adding a few marginal plants to soften the edges of your pond, and then take it one step further and consider adding a few plants just outside of the pond to naturalize it. Visit our Aquatic Plants Page for pond plant ideas.

You might think you know your fish pretty well, especially if you’ve named them and visit them daily. But do you know the basics of fish health care? Consider things like thinning out your stock if the fish have babies. Cramped living conditions aren’t good for your fish, or your pond for that matter. Learn our three basic tips for proper fish keeping.

​It’s always fun to add new elements to your outdoor living space, like a new deck or patio set. But have you ever thought of adding something to your pond? The new addition could be as simple as a waterlily or fish, or it could be a bit bigger like a new spitter, or a bridge to traverse your stream, or even creating a new lighting scheme with color-changing lights. Some pond enthusiasts like to tweak their waterfalls from time to time, which can change the sound of the water in the garden. If you want to add something really exciting to your pond that creates ambiance, consider a fire and water feature. Whatever you decide, adding something new to your pond will give it a fresh twist.

​Crawdads. Crayfish. Crawfish. Mud bugs. Yabbies. All of these names refer to a 10-legged “mini lobster” that inhabits many of the fresh water ecosystems on our planet outside of India and Antarctica.
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​Crawdads come in a wide variety of sizes and colors. Of the nearly 600 known species of Decapods, 30% are listed as endangered, and very little is actually known about another 20%.  The fish tank trade ships them all over the world with different marketing names like “blue lobsters.” They are an important part of the natural food chain in their NATIVE environments, providing food for raccoons, birds, predatory fish, snakes, and last year people consumed an estimated 75,000 tons of them! To each their own.

Here in Arizona, they are NOT native, but rather were originally imported by early settlers and currently listed by our Arizona Game and Fish Department as “highly invasive.” They are omnivorous and voracious competitors to most of our native freshwater species here. They have decimated the aquatic plant life in many of our mountain streams and they do serious damage to stream banks, causing some major erosion issues.
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We do NOT recommend keeping them in your Sonoran Desert backyard pond for a several reasons:

1. Most of them are prolific and short-lived.  Once you have an established population, they are difficult to eradicate, and the dead ones will sit behind your rockwork and stink up your yard, as well as providing food for algae blooms.
2. Gardening your aquatic plants is no fun with mudbugs pinching your digits every time you try to divide an aquatic plant. They’re just not cooperative when it comes to gardening.
3. They will catch and kill your pet fish every chance they get. Yikes!
4. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has them listed as “invasive and unwanted” in our Great State 48.  Aquatic pets like crawdads have a habit of escaping into our wild ecosystems and wreaking havoc.
5. Many species of crawdads are diggers and will spend endless hours working on a way to get that 3’ deep tunnel they are programmed to build into your pond membrane system. It will be difficult for them to get through most high quality liners like EPDM or RPP; however, with the tools Mother Nature gave them, they very well may get through anything.

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FROGS IN A PHOENIX POND
PONDS FOR BIRDS & BUTTERFLIES