Having a koi pond can be a wonderful addition to any backyard or garden. However, can be an expensive and time-consuming hobby that requires a significant investment of resources, including money, time, and effort. This is especially true if you don't include low-maintenance as part of the design process. As such, the question arises: is having a koi pond considered to be a luxury?
Luxury is a subjective concept, and what may be considered a luxury for one person may not be for another. Some people may view a koi pond as a worthwhile investment that brings them hours of joy and relaxation, while others may see it as an unnecessary expense (some people feel the same way about a pool).
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​First and foremost, building a koi pond requires a significant financial investment. Depending on the size and design of the pond, the cost of materials, labor, and equipment can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on whether you’re building it yourself, or hiring a professional. Additionally, maintaining a koi pond can also be expensive, depending on how it's designed and built, as it requires a constant supply of electricity to run pumps and filters, as well as regular water testing and the purchase of high-quality fish food -- unless you have a pond built specifically to be low-maintenance.
Aside from the financial aspect, a koi pond also requires significant time and effort to build and maintain. Building a koi pond can take several weeks or even months, again depending on whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring a professional. Once the pond is built, it must be regularly cleaned and maintained to keep the water quality high and the fish healthy.

​Despite the cost and effort required to build and maintain a koi pond, many people view it as a worthwhile investment. For those who enjoy spending time outdoors, a koi pond can provide a sense of peace and relaxation. Watching the colorful fish swim gracefully through the water can be a calming and meditative experience, and many people find that caring for their koi brings them a sense of fulfillment and joy.
Whether or not a koi pond is a luxury depends on one's individual circumstances and priorities. While it is true that building and maintaining a koi pond requires a significant investment of resources, including money, time, and effort, many people view it as a worthwhile investment that brings them joy and relaxation. Ultimately, the decision to build a koi pond should be based on one's personal preferences and financial situation.

​It also depends on the type of koi pond that is designed and built. There are literally hundreds of ways and thousands of choices in equipment, liner, etc. Here at The Pond Gnome, we choose to work WITH Mother Nature, not against Her. In keeping with this philosophy, we use Aquascape equipment and keep our water crystal clear using only natural bacteria and enzymes. We can do the latter because we create a complete ecosystem within the pond, and the koi (and/or other pond fish) are an integral part of this. Our clients are some of the happiest koi pond owners we know!

​So, if you’re considering a koi pond as a respite to a techno-filled world, check out what The Pond Gnome does, and give us a shout with any questions or concerns you may have. We even have occasional events and tours where you can experience a bit of living the pond life for yourself.

​The crash of ocean waves, a babbling brook, the pitter-patter of rain on the roof — many people swear by these watery sounds to help them fall asleep and stay in la-la land. Why does flowing "agua" have such a powerful and popular drowsing effect?
Humans are undeniably connected to water. Part of the answer lies in how our brains interpret the noises we hear — both while awake and in the dead of night — as either threats or non-threats.
Certain sounds, such as screams and loud alarm clocks, babies crying, and cats or dogs barfing can hardly be ignored. Yet other sounds, like the wind in the trees and waves lapping the shore, we sort of tune out.
"These slow, whooshing noises are the sounds of non-threats, which is why they work to calm people," said Orfeu Buxton, an associate professor of biobehavioral health at Pennsylvania State University. "It's like they're saying: 'Don't worry, don't worry, don't worry.'"
Louder noises in general, as we've all experienced, tend to be harder to sleep through. But perhaps even more important than volume is the character of a sound in how it can trigger the brain's so-called threat-activated vigilance system -- and jolt us from slumber.
"The type of noise defines if you will wake up or not, controlling for the volume, because the noise information is processed by our brain differently," Buxton said.  
For instance, although the sounds of crashing waves can vary considerably in volume, with quiet intervals followed by crescendos, the waves' hubbub smoothly rises and falls in intensity. That's in stark contrast to a scream or a ringing phone suddenly piercing a silence, reaching peak loudness almost instantly.

​Another reason watery sounds can help us sleep? Non-threatening noises, especially when relatively loud, can drown out those sounds that might otherwise raise red flags in the brain's threat-activated vigilance system.
"Having a masking form of noise can also help block other sounds you don't have control over, whether someone is flushing a toilet in another part of the house, or there are taxis or traffic outside — whatever the acoustic insult is," Buxton said.
All of this makes it understandable as to why water-themed sleep aids have proved so popular over the decades, across media ranging from cassettes to compact disks to MP3s to the mobile device apps of today.

​The best sleep aid of all, in our humble opinion, is having your windows open to hear an actual waterfall or babbling brook. If you happen to live by the ocean, then that will suffice in a pinch. LOL!
So, if you really want a better night’s sleep, consider adding some live water to your outdoor environment where you can open the window at night and enjoy the real thing, instead of your sound machine.

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!

A Spring pond is yawning and stretching (figuratively, of course) and getting ready to burst forth with life. The plants that were dormant and dull all winter start shooting out some new growth. This is when the old growth can be trimmed/thinned away to allow the new growth into the light. And algae is always the first weed in the garden, so there's some of that to deal with.

A Summer pond is growing aquatic plants like nobody's business! You have to stay on top of it, or your aquatic plants will eat the pond. It's an active time for water gardeners. And what better place to garden in 115 degree heat? Your Koi and goldfish are ravenously devouring food and constantly begging for more. This is the time of year you train them to eat out of your hand.

Aquatic plants are starting to slow their roll as the water temps begin to dip. You still need to tend to them, but not quite as often as during the summer. Koi and goldfish begin to go into their dormant season, as well, and you stop feeding them the commercial fish food.

During our "winter" months here in Phoenix, most of your aquatic plants are dormant, and your Koi and goldfish are generally hanging out at the bottom of the pond, clustered together for warmth. There are some cold-water loving plants, like Iris, that will give you some winter color. However, most of your plans will look a bit chlorotic during this season. Some areas of the Valley even have light freezes, so you might see some ice around the edges of your pond in the morning. 

​Water is Arizona wildlife’s most important resource, and it’s vital for more than just quenching thirst. Fish and frogs live in or near water their whole lives. Birds use water to keep their feathers clean and free of parasites, bees use water to cool their hives, and larger animals use water to cool down their bodies.
Arizona is in a cycle of long-term drought, which means there’s less available water for animals and a bigger fight for their survival. Urban sprawl has taken out many natural wetlands and catchment areas that our wildlife used to be able to depend on. As temperatures here rise, their search for water becomes even more crucial.

​Arizona Game & Fish Department and their partners use trucks and helicopters to haul water to remote sites and keep 3,000 catchments full. These partners are mostly individuals volunteering. You can help them out by donating at SendWater.org, or volunteering your time.

​As a pond or water feature owner, you are already helping! Keeping organic clean water in your yard invites our native feathered friends and the visiting migratory birds to quench their thirst and bathe. If you live in a neighborhood with a NAOS area, the wildlife living within counts on your water feature to survive alongside our human-built habitats. Bees count on your water feature to gather water to take back to cool the hive, ensuring their survival (and we all know how important they are!).
By having an ecosystem water feature, you are actually helping to replace our disappearing wetlands. You’re one of the good guys!

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