Archive for September, 2011

  By Kyle Brown

Sales Associate/Design Consultant

When considering a water feature, there is always a long list of reasons homeowners are afraid to “take the plunge” so to speak.  Water features have a long list of benefits to the home, homeowner, and the environment.  Not to mention, they look amazing and can provide hours of relaxation and enjoyment.  I am going to expose a few wives tales that seem to always accompany the water gardening industry and hopefully they will make you feel at ease when considering your water feature purchase.

Myth #1:  A water feature may decrease the value of my property.
Exposed:  This is very false, water features not only increase the property value, but a properly designed and correctly placed water feature can be a huge asset in selling your property!  For every dollar you spend on a water feature, your property value will increase $3.10!  So, for instance, if you were to spend $5000, you can expect your property value to go up an average of $15,000! That’s a great return on investment!

Myth #2: A water feature is a lot of maintenance; all my time will be spent tending to the pond.
Exposed:  False!  A properly functioning ecosystem will take care of itself.  Beneficial bacteria should be added to the feature to maintain the eco system, but this is the only regular treatment necessary.  Algae will happen, it’s inevitable, but even then it’s a breeze to take care of, treating with algaecide or SAB (String Algae Buster) will clear up the problem right away!

Myth #3: They don’t make a water feature that will fit in my yard.
Exposed:  False again.  Water features come in all shapes and styles.  From ponds, to pondless waterfalls or bubbling rocks, even decorative urns and fountains, it is a guarantee that some sort of water feature will fit on your property.

 Myth #4: I will have to take my fish inside if I want them to live over the winter.
Exposed: Incorrect.  Fish will over winter in water that is two or more feet deep.  Only the top 12” approx. of water will freeze and the remaining space will allow sufficient space for the fish to live.  The only necessity is that a hole remains in the ice so that gas exchange can take place.  This can be achieved by running the pump year round or by using a floating de-icer.

Myth #5: I will have to pay someone a lot of money to install a water feature.
Exposed: No Way!  Tussey Mtn Mulch offers several do-it-yourself seminars per year.  Here we will teach you how to install a beautiful backyard ecosystem by yourself.  We also offer our easy to use Create A Pond series.  Here you can buy a package containing everything you will need to create a beautiful water feature; these packages can be purchased for you to install or it can be installed by a professional at a very reasonable price!

So what are you waiting for?  Go on and get your feet wet in water features today!