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Bringing Water To Your Landscape

If you think now is not the time to contemplate water gardens, think again. There are a number of ways to add the element of water to your landscape and each requires a certain amount of planning. In addition, you’ll find much of what you need in the way of supplies to be relatively cheap during this time of the year, making now an even better time to start planning.  Adding a fountain or pond to your landscape does more than just create an attractive centerpiece. Running water has long been used in Eastern-inspired gardens to create an atmosphere of relaxation and tranquility. The sounds of moving water have been shown to induce a calming effect, perfect for an outdoor gathering spot or the merchant who wants to make his customers feel comfortable and relaxed. 

Choosing Your Spot
First, survey your landscape. How much room do you have to work with?  How will the fountain or pond work with the rest of your landscaping? Fountains come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from the grand and elaborate - ideal as a centerpiece in a large open area - to the small and simple, perfect for a patio seating area or garden path. The right fountain for your landscape depends greatly upon the space you have available and the look you’re wanting to achieve but regardless of what type of fountain you choose, be sure to have an electrical plug in the vicinity so you can see your fountain in action. If it’s a pond you want to install, you’ll need to determine not just the size and shape of the pond but factor in the backdrop as well. Will you want a small waterfall? A flower bed? All of these aspects need to be considered as you map out your pond. And like the fountain, you’ll need an electrical outlet close by if you want to use a pump to keep the water moving. When choosing your spot, look for an area that’s fairly level, protected from runoff and free of trees. Your trees will shed their leaves, which will then fall to the ground below. If your fountain or pond is directly beneath the tree, you’ll spend more time removing leaves than enjoying your new garden décor. 

Aquatic Life
A pond gives you the option of bringing nature into your design. You can add various animals, including fish such as koi, turtles, frogs and other aquatic wildlife. You should note however, that many of these will eat your plant life so keep that in mind when planning your pond.  

Plants
When choosing plants, you’ll obviously want something that can handle a little more moisture. Fountains can (and often do) splash onto the ground below so if you’re planning to have a bed close by, you’ll want something that likes a wet soil. If you’re choosing a pond, there are plenty of colorful plants that can live right in the water, including vallisneria, dwarf sagittaria, water lilies and the lotus. The first two plants - vallisneria and dwarf sagittaria - are submerged plants, meaning they live below the surface. The latter two float on top of the water, creating a wonderful, eye-catching effect. Another good plant to have in your pond is anachris. Typically found in pet stores, this nutrient-rich plant helps to reduce algae’s food source and keeps your pond healthy. 

How well you have to pack a shipping box depends on how fragile its contents are.

The first rule for any kind of shipping is to make sure the contents of a packed box does not move. In all cases, however, the packed box should have a solid feel.

First, gather your materials.

Use a new one-piece box rather than one with a cover. It should be large enough to hold the gifts plus a few inches on all sides for packing.

Buy strong, see-through shipping tape. It pays to invest in a tape machine such as those sold by UPS.

Use packing such as newspaper or bubble wrap. For a kid's box, you might use a few packs of loose candy or popcorn to help fill some of the spaces.

Pack items so they are held in place with cushioning. To protect a fancy bow, put an empty plastic container on top of it.

Pack very small gifts in a padded envelope inside the large box. Don't put the shipping label over the seam of the box. Cover the label with clear tape to protect it.

It pays to insure expensive gifts or send them by registered mail.

If shipping by UPS, first check to see what hours they accept boxes.

If finding the right box and packing it sound like too much of a task for you, visit a box shop.

It costs more to ship, but the gifts are packed correctly and the address and zip code are checked. They do the shipping and all you have to do is pay.