“Backyard Water Gardens and Landscapes” are an all-inclusive review of what you should know about how to make a backyard water garden, from design, to creation, to maintenance, to storing, and of course, stocking with fish and plants. In this book you will be shown step-by-step how to design your own water garden or landscape pond. With detailed descriptions of supplies you may need and a wealth of photographs of various garden configurations, “Backyard Water Gardens and Landscapes” is not just another gardening text, but is a clear-cut, concise, and easy to read guide for almost any beginner to landscape gardening.

The book begins by letting the reader know that Backyard Water Gardens and Landscapes are “the most complete overview and introduction to backyard water gardens and landscapes.” After a brief introduction on the basics of landscaping with a few examples, “Backyard Water Gardens and Landscapes” go into the topic of design. There are nine chapters that include the overview and design of a simple landscape pond, a bridge across a river, a waterfall, a fountain, landscape ponds, waterfalls, koi ponds, and more. Each chapter contains clear pictures, with some showing actual plants and fish in the garden and others merely suggestive scenes. Obviously, this book would not work well for beginners, but could be a great addition to anyone’s bookshelf.

Following that is an account of various techniques used with Backyard Water Gardens and Landscapes, including building a deck, liner stones, natural stone and brick patios, a retaining wall, and more. Each of these techniques has been described in detail with pictures and with easy to understand lay-out. There are also several plans provided to help you decide on the best materials to use and to select the best style for your yard. Beautifully illustrated, this is a truly comprehensive and all-inclusive manual on backyard water gardens and landscapes.

A good book on backyard water gardens should have several different designs for water gardens, including small pond designs, bridges, waterfalls, and large water garden structures such as fountains. Also, there should be several pages devoted exclusively to explaining how to make your own small pond. This includes detailed instructions on how to construct a small pond using nothing more than common materials found at home. Along with blueprints, photographs are included. The book really provides everything a homeowner needs to learn about making a small pond, including the steps to take to make your very first one.

If you are considering incorporating an aquatic plant in your garden, “rylics and aquaculture” provide a very thorough explanation for selecting plants that will thrive in your climate and conditions. Included are descriptions of a wide range of plants, both hardy and easier to care for, that may be suitable for ponds may require additional attention in terms of size. Aquatic plants come in many forms, including epiphytes, semi-aquatic plants, and more. Many of the latter are unsuitable for larger ponds because they need more sunlight and moisture to survive. Additionally, some require specialized conditions, such as a certain pH level or light patterns. However, most of them can survive in most climates.

Some exotic plants are available, but you should know that they usually require a lot more care than plants in most other habitats. Koi, for example, are notoriously susceptible to algae growth. While their ornamental fish cousins do not typically require any special care in this regard, koi do. Koi also produce scales that are harmful to fish and your pond. In addition, koi love to get in and out of the water. Exotic plants can be quite beautiful, but the cost of having one planted in your backyard may not be something you want to pay out of pocket.

The only way to avoid algae growth in ponds is to have a professional water garden designer do the job for you. A professional landscaper will take into account the location of the pond, the size of the garden, and the types of aquatic plants that will be suitable for your backyard. They will then provide you with plans and designs to help you build a beautiful koi pond. Having a pond of your own is also a great way to teach children about the importance of conservation and caring for aquatic life. If you have a large family, then you might want to think about having a pond not only for the enjoyment of your family, but also for educational purposes.

Backyard water gardens also allow you to view a few different kinds of amphibians without directly getting up. Since the pond is shallow, most amphibians like to hide under the shade. Some shy species may even hang out where they can view the sun directly from under a shade. However, all amphibians enjoy sunshine on occasion. So your backyard pond is a good place to sit and observe any species of your choice while you garden peacefully in your backyard pond.