In Michigan, fall means nature is at its peak. It only happens once a year, it only lasts a few months, and the vibrant colors usher in the beauty of the season. But with great beauty comes great responsibility! Don’t “leaf” your landscaping to the wayside as winter approaches. Falls leaves have an appeal – they coat your yard with
A pond, waterfall, or fountain instantly becomes the focal point of your landscape — but the surrounding plants are what truly complete the picture. The right plant choices can soften stone edges, frame cascading water, add seasonal color, and create a natural transition between your water feature and the rest of your yard. Without thoughtful planting, even the most beautiful
The increased heat of summer weather increases the chances of adverse effects on ponds and lakes. Sunlight and air temperature contribute to rapidly increasing water temperature which negatively impacts a pond’s ecosystem. Thermal stratification causes warm water to rise which depletes oxygen from lower parts of the pond. Low amounts of oxygen in the pond puts the health of fish
Ecosystem ponds can be easy to understand if you have a good grasp of what components go into a basic, functioning ecosystem. An ecosystem pond works with Mother Nature to provide food, shelter, and safety to the wildlife around it. It also provides you with a natural, low-maintenance piece of paradise. It is important to remember that every piece of
Maintaining a koi pond is a rewarding and fulfilling hobby, and many of us grow more attached to our koi than we’d like to admit. Don’t let your work go to waste by letting predators get to one of your koi. Raccoons and herons are the most prevalent koi fish predators, so here’s how you can protect your koi from
Before you panic upon seeing a buildup of algae in your pond, keep in mind that algae are a completely normal part of any organic pond ecosystem. A small amount of algae in your water feature is perfectly okay! In fact, it’s a sign of a healthy ecosystem. Algae only becomes a problem when the growth becomes excessive and difficult
Waterfalls are often considered the most beautiful aspect of a landscape. In addition to their aesthetic, pondless waterfalls serve a valuable purpose in ecosystems by aerating water for aquatic life and recirculating beneficial bacteria that keep surrounding water algae free. Could a waterfall survive without a pond? Absolutely! These unique features are known as pondless waterfalls What Is A Pondless
As a potential client, imagine being presented with a landscape design for your home and feeling like you cannot visualize the final product. Unfortunately, this situation happens more often than not. Traditionally, landscape designers present their plans as a 2D blueprint which shows an outline of their home and property and includes symbols that represent the proposed plant and hardscape
With spring right around the corner, you may soon notice some changes in your pond. Your fish will be slowly coming back to life and you may even be able to see some plant growth. When you understand the transition that your pond makes from winter into spring, maintaining a healthy pond will be easy! You may be starting to
When temperature starts to plummet, pond owners may ask themselves, “How do I keep my pond running properly?” Follow our winter tips to keep your pond operating during cold weather. Keep a hole in the ice As temperatures drop you may notice the surface of your pond forming ice. Fear not! Your fish will be okay provided your pond is
While ponds may be clear in the fall and lush in the summer, winter is a beautiful time for your water feature as well. There are some things to know to keep you pond in its best condition. Proper winter care also ensures an easier spring pond cleaning. Prune yellowing leaves off all of your plants. Your lilies – tropical
Fall in Michigan is simply spectacular. The colors, the crispness in the air and the lack of bugs make this a perfect time to enjoy your pond. How to keep your pond in tip-top shape for fall? Read more to learn our recommendations: Install Pond Netting If you net your pond yourself, make sure to do it before the leaves
There are good reasons to get a pond, good reasons to not get one and then some reasons that are not true. There are quite a few pond myths out there and so we are going to bust them, one by one. Read on for more… Any contractor or landscaper can install a pond Not true. Just like a roofer
With their sparkling blooms and beautiful shades of greens and other colors, aquatic plants make a water garden complete! There are certain things to consider when designing your dream water garden, so here are our top five tips: Play with Colors Start with colors you like then take into account the type of lighting your water garden gets during the
How, When and What Do I Feed My Pond Fish? Pond fish are one of the best parts of owning a pond. No matter what kind of fish you have, from shubunkin to goldfish to koi, the feeding process often the best of part of being pond owners. Due to its excitement and feel of bonding of the fish, people
Water is the essence of life. It moves us and creates a sense of tranquility and peacefulness that we are drawn to. When designing backyard ponds and waterfalls its important to answer 4 major questions: The first question is how do you want to interact with your pond? Your outdoor space is an extension of your home and it should
We have all been affected by 2020 and the continuing health concerns of Covid-19. The CDC urges us to stay home as much as possible especially those at high risk. Basic entertainment we are used to is no longer basic. Going out to restaurants, movies, parties, and other social events are now very limited and restricted. There is no better
Nothing is more frustrating to a Pond or Water Feature owner than dealing with a leaky pond. Here are 5 steps you can take to find a leak in your water feature before calling a Pro. The First Step is to turn off the pump and let all of the water flow down to the reservoir or Basin. If you
Algae is the number one complaint of Pond owners. Whether its a green film or in the from of string algae, this invasive plant can take over the beauty of your pond and cause maintenance headaches. If Algae dominates it will rob the pond of oxygen, as well as the sights colorful fish and rock work on the pond floor.
Thinking about adding an addition to your home, a place where you can relax and enjoy time with friends and family? Does it entail the the ambiance of elegant lighting and possibly a fireplace? Does it involve exquisite colors, plant life, and possible the sounds of running water? Did you know that a home addition outdoors can be not only
Have you ever noticed “Protected Natural Wetlands” sign while walking your dog or riding your bike on a trail in the woods? The reason the DEQ (Dept of Environmental Quality) protects these spaces is they serve as a natural wetland filter of our water resources. Water runs slowly through river stone and cattails, and is filtered through the root systems
So you have decided that this is the year you are doing that amazing outdoor landscaping project. You’ve got your budget set aside and you and your spouse have been dreaming of an amazing outdoor patio with a fire pit, beautiful landscaping beds around it, some lighting, and a pergola. You are open for other suggestions to make the space
Have you ever seen a large pond in a condominium complex, home development, or a business park that has a green film and excessive weed growth on its shoreline. Perhaps you have a pond near your home and you think to yourself, “if this pond could only be cleaned up up of all the algae and cattails it would be
One of the greatest things about Michigan outdoors is the ability to enjoy evenings in your backyard fire pits with family and friends.
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