| One of the things that many times stops home | | | | water and, later, stocking the pond with fish. |
| owners from attempting to take on their own | | | | Put in some water lilies and, if that's the only thing |
| landscaping project is fear. Look through the books | | | | you get done the first year, who cares?! This will be |
| on landscaping and read some of the suggestions and | | | | dramatic and will definitely bring you lots of relaxation |
| it can scare a person to death. | | | | as well as pride. Plant it near where you spend most |
| Fear not! You definitely need to read up and look at | | | | of your time. Don't hide it away at the back of your |
| pictures before you begin a project, but remember; | | | | yard. |
| this is your backyard and you are free to do with it | | | | When the pond is finished, pick areas around your |
| what you want. | | | | yard and plan the location of your plants. Notice the |
| The main thing to be concerned with when planting | | | | sunshine at different times of the day. That's what |
| different plants is to make certain of their growing | | | | will determine the location of your plants in each area. |
| requirements. Do they require a lot of sunlight, a mix | | | | Unless you have a lot of time and money, you |
| of sun and shade, or mostly shade? Other than that, | | | | probably won't be able to plant your entire backyard |
| let's get started. | | | | in one season. Start with one area and till it up. Plant |
| The biggest and most dramatic feature you can add | | | | a few plants and space them out somewhat. This will |
| to your backyard is a pond. Put in a waterfall and | | | | give you a chance to mix in some plants next year. |
| enjoy the relaxing sounds of water while you sip | | | | You can see what the plants look like and decide if |
| lemonade and read a good book. | | | | you need more color or some hostas or some more |
| If a pond is in your plans, do this first. It will be the | | | | of the same plants. Next year, you can add or |
| focal point and you can begin your plantings later. | | | | subtract plantings as needed. |
| A pond is not hard to build. Plan your layout and get | | | | One more important point. Plant short plants in front |
| some white spray paint or chalk and layout your | | | | and taller plants in the back. |
| design. You can use one of the plastic pre-shaped | | | | Start with a few sections now or one section and |
| pond kits if you like, but you can never really get the | | | | add more each year. You'll be amazed what you can |
| natural look that you can with a liner. | | | | accomplish in four or five years without breaking the |
| The hardest part will be digging. The tedious part | | | | bank. You'll create a backyard haven made especially |
| may be laying out the liner to try to remove most of | | | | for you. |
| the wrinkles. The fun part will be filling the pond with | | | | |