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. 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. Enhance the Beauty of Your BackyardThe 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. Provide a Home for WildlifeA 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. Create a Relaxing AmbianceThe 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! Increase Property ValueFinally, 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. Turn your backyard from Mundane to Magical today! OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY: HOW TO ENHANCE YOUR POND WITH EASY ADD-ON FEATURES BACKYARD PONDS ENHANCE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE GREAT WATER FEATURE IDEAS In today’s economic climate, especially, we’re all looking for ways to improve our quality of life, and to get the most value from our home improvements. Some people are even foregoing traveling and eating out in favor of cocooning. A pond or water feature is a wonderful and valuable home improvement that provides hours of enjoyment while asking only minutes per week of maintenance. AND it’s environmentally friendly and responsible! Feels CoolerBelieve it or not, having the sight and sound of water in your yard makes it seem at least 10 degrees cooler than the actual outside ambient temperature. This is something that our clients report to us all the time. And in our Phoenix summers, that’s a big bonus! Gathering SpotA pond is great place to gather around – instead of the TV for a change. There’s no better way to bring the family together, whether that’s engaging the kids or just talking with your spouse. When you have friends and family over, they will gravitate to the pond as the natural focal point in the yard. So much to see with moving water, lush plants, and graceful fish. With underwater lighting, a pond is a whole new world, extending the viewing pleasure into nighttime – another bonus in Phoenix summers. Adds Life to YardPlants in general add life to a landscape, and adding a pond or stream into the mix really makes the whole yard come alive with sight and sound! If you enjoy wildlife and cool native and migratory bird watching, there’s no better option – build it and they will come. Digital DetoxAfter a techno-crazy day at work, come home and decompress to the sight and sound of water, lush plants, graceful fish, and just the general feeling of AAAAHHHHH! Leave the phone and computer in the house and let your mind rest. Meditative & HealingMeditation next to a pond will take you to a whole new level. By its very nature, water in the landscape is soothing to the senses. Watch out, tho – it can put you to sleep pretty easily! In fact, during the time of year when we can have our windows open, sleeping to the sound of a waterfall or babbling brook will aid in deep, restorative sleep. Living water is a big part of any healing garden. Good for the EarthWhen considering different landscape and home improvement options, “green” is the language of the day. An ecosystem pond or stream does not require chemicals to maintain. It does not require the use of a lawn mower or blower, which items create noise pollution. It does not require fertilization, which poisons our groundwater. It is truly earth-friendly. And wildlife digs it! It offers our native and migratory birds and wildlife a respite in the face of urban sprawl. Pet-Approved!And let’s not forget our beloved pets! All our pet-owning clients will tell you that they’ve ditched the smelly slimy outdoor water dish that they used to have to clean out constantly because their furry friends would much rather have the fresh organic water right out of the pond or stream. This creates a higher, healthier quality of life for them, as well. Check out what The Pond Gnome’s clients have to say about how their quality of life was improved. And we highly recommend that you experience the atmosphere in person by visiting one of our public displays, booking an appointment to visit our private showroom, or attending one of our open-to-the-public events. OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY: SHADE-TOLERANT WATER LILIES FOR YOUR POND TOP 10 REASONS YOU NEED A POND SUSTAINABLE PHOENIX PONDS Trees really naturalize the look of a pond. They help provide shade for the fish and plants, giving them respite from our brutal Phoenix summer sun. They add to the general cooling effect of having a pond or water feature in your yard. They provide areas for native and migratory birds to hang and between drinks and baths and to serenade you with their pretty songs. And they provide shade for you to enjoy sitting next to your pond. But not all trees are appropriate for next to a water feature! Some have invasive roots that will seek out and destroy your pond. Some drop copious amounts of litter into your pond (which, if you have a skimmer basket isn't fatal, but can be a pain in the butt). Some grow in a manner that will heave your pond or water feature -- and maybe even your patio and walkways. And, no, the plant nursery won't always tell you these things. So, which ones are good, and which ones not so much? Trees That Work Great Next to a Pond or Water FeatureAll trees drop debris. Having a skimmer on your pond is the easier way to deal with that, and you may have to empty it more often during some times of the year. And, frankly, most trees really should be planted 10' or so from the pond's edge to avoid issues. You can absolutely have it closer, and many people do; you may just need to be prepared to deal with a partial rebuild from time to time, depending on the tree's growth. If you want a tree next to your pond, here are some good choices:
Trees to Avoid Next to a Pond or Water FeatureYou'll want to avoid planting any riprian tree within 20' of your pond because they tend to seek water. However, these trees are great in your landscape for attracting native birds to your yard, and tend to discourage the pesty birds like pigeons. Some examples of trees to avoid within 20' of your pond are:
So, choose wisely, and enjoy having a personal backyard haven to decompress, de-stress, and simply enjoy! OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY: WHY BACKYARD PONDS HAVE HEALING POWER BACKYARD LIGHTING IDEAS HOME SCHOOLING WITH PONDS HAVE A POND WITH ISSUES?Container water gardening is a rapidly-growing garden hobby and provides a whole new opportunity for an exciting group of plants. Not to mention, you can even add small fish to your aquatic container, thereby creating your very own mini pond to enjoy without having to pick up a shovel. These mini ponds are fabulous for folks who don't have a whole lot of space, like condos and townhouses, etc. Plants are what makes your container water garden a garden. They add interest, texture, and a splash of color to the spot you choose for your mini pond. They also help keep the water clear of algae, while providing perching spots for birds that seek out the water. To make choosing plants easier, we’re sharing our list of favorite aquatic plants for mini ponds. And what’s more – you can add any of these plants to any pond, large or small! Dwarf PapyrusCyperus isocladus Feathery heads on sturdy green stalks create a striking vertical element in container water gardens. Dwarf papyrus enjoys a little shade but can take full sun, too. Use this charmer as an annual in colder climates. Parrot FeatherMyriophyllum brasiliense Feathery lime green foliage on vibrant red stems creates a mat that will spill over the edge of your container. It grows 3” to 4” tall and is a great choice for both small ponds and container water gardens. Place it in full sun to part shade. And keep it pinched back to make it grow fuller. Pickerel RUSHPontederia cordata Add a bit of height and color to your mini pond with the impressive pink or purple pickerel rush plant. This easy-to-grow aquatic plant rewards you with bright blue flowers atop lush green foliage. Prefers full sun to part shade and grows 24” to 30” tall. Taro, Green or BlackColocasia ‘Fontenessii’ Glossy green leaves on deep purple stems add a stunning effect to your container water garden. Each leaf is a work of art atop 36” high stems. Choose Taro when you want an especially tall plant for your container. Enjoys full shade in Phoenix. Available in standard green or black (pictured below). Yerba MansaAnemopsis californica Looking for a smaller plant that blooms all summer? Look no further than this dainty white flower with a cone-shaped center. As they age, the flowers get pink spots. This plant is actually an Arizona canyon native plant. The Native Americans use it in a tea form to relieve digestive issues. Water LettucePistia stratiotes Soft and velvety, this floating plant performs best in shady to partly sunny locations. Each “flower” sends out shoots to create more rosettes. If your container gets crowded, simply thin them out. Helvola WaterlilyNymphaea ‘Pygmaea Helvola’ Helvola is the smallest of all the hardy waterlilies with delightful 2” to 3” star-shaped blooms and heavily mottled 1” to 2” pads. Prefers full sun to partial shade and blooms all summer long This is by no means an exhaustive list, but these can get you started off on the right foot. Check out our page on pond plants for your backyard! OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY: CREATE A BACKYARD SANCTUARY WITH JAPENESE WATER FEATURES WHY BACKYARD WATER FEATURES HAVE HEALING POWER PONDING: KEEPIT SIMPLE, NOT STUPID READY FOR YOUR OWN BACKYARD WATER FEATURE?Beginning a landscaping project is the first step towards creating the outdoor sanctuary you have always dreamed of having. Japanese-inspired gardens offer a distinctive tranquility in all seasons. A lovely Japanese theme can be created through the strategic inclusion of Japanese water features. These water feature ideas can be applied to any outdoor space and add a soothing air of tranquility to your backyard garden. Fun fact: a "Zen Garden" does NOT include water. It is a "dry landscape" garden, usually relatively small, surrounded by a wall, and is meant to be seen while seated from a single viewpoint outside the garden. Japanese Water Feature Essentials Since Japanese garden design typically aspires to mimic natural growing conditions, Japanese water features are generally rustic or rough-hewn. However, like anything else in a planned garden, the rustic appearance is carefully cultivated. The following are the four primary features typically found in a Japanese garden:
Japanese Ponds & Waterfalls Of the four primary water features included in traditional Japanese gardens, ponds and waterfalls are most likely to be found in backyard gardens. These features are very flexible in terms of size and design and are generally simple to create and install. Like any garden water feature, these require some basic maintenance. This is especially true of ponds with goldfish. Japanese goldfish, or koi, are kept healthy through regular pond upkeep. Koi pond maintenance needs depend in part on how large the koi fish are, how many are in the pond, and what additional plants and animals are present in the water feature. OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT ENJOY: GREAT WATER FEATURE IDEAS BUILD A POND YOUR NEIGHBORS WILL ENVY SIX PONDS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE |