Feng Shui and Water Features Feng Shui (translated literally means wind and water), dating back over 5000 years, is the ancient Chinese art of positioning objects for harmony and balance in the environment. Water plays an important part in this traditional belief. Water is equated with the flow of Chi which is the energy or life force of the universe, believed to be present in all living things. Where Chi flows freely and accumulates there is health, abundance and prosperity. Where Chi stagnates there is illness and decay. The positive flow of Chi is vital to a garden and its movement throughout should be free and uninhibited. Barriers to Chi must be removed and in cases where this is impracticable Feng Shui cures can be employed to allow for the smooth flow if Chi. On the flip side Chi flowing too fast through a garden is just as unsettling. Water can be used to slow down or speed up the flow of this powerful life force and can be introduced to your garden via a pond, fountain, water feature or waterfall. There are a few simple principles to follow when establishing a water feature in your garden: • The best position for a water feature [more..]

Many people enjoy gardening and caring for their lawns as a hobby, making a beautiful outdoor space with one's own thoughts, ideas, and work is very rewarding. Making a beautiful landscape garden design can be difficult for new gardeners or for some experienced gardeners as well.Making a landscape garden design implies grafting a plant for each walkway, garden bed, tree, rock, and blade of grass to create the perfect outdoor space. This can seem like an overwhelming or daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. There are very basic forms that can be followed to make the space seem just right without taking so much work that it isn't fun anymore.Themed GardensMost landscape garden designs are based on a theme of some sort; it could be birds, relaxation, fragrance, a favorite plant or flower, a favorite color, or just about anything else. The point of a theme is to create a pattern and point of interest with in the landscape garden design to hold the viewer's attention.This can be accomplished subtlety or with obvious focal point. The key is pattern and repetition. The human [more..]

AestheticsRecently, one of the most popular backyard designs is adding a water pond or a fish pond to the yard. These projects, however, can only be achieved in sprawling and huge yards that has walkways and large areas.But if you are really certain to have your own fish pond and yet you do not have a large back yard, there are design ideas that can be incorporated to hopefully place your pond in it without having to take up too much space and dominate your yard. Let your pond serve as the focal point of your back yard. Place it in the middle or in one corner of the yard if you have a small space. Make it appealing to the people walking around the house.LocationIf you wish to place it in the corner part of the yard, raise the pond a little higher so that the fish will seem as a surprise to the visitors. But if you want to place it in the center, it is best if you place the pond at ground level or a little above it.Fish TypesMake sure that [more..]

Electricity and Water Features Water and electricity DO NOT MIX and since most water features require an electricity supply it is crucial to take precautions to ensure the safety of anyone in the vicinity of the feature. Since it is much easier and also SAFER to install the electricity before construction of your water feature is complete, this should be done in the initial stages. The need for safety in outdoor electrical installations is apparent, thus, all electrical work must be carried out by a licensed electrician. Before any electrical work commences check that the electrician: • Is licensed (ask to see the licence) • Will provide you with a Certificate of Compliance NEVER use makeshift wiring for outdoor installations, it is simply dangerous! Pond Pumps Incorrectly installed or damaged 240 V electrical water pumps in garden ponds, may create a serious electric shock risk in and around the pond, resulting in injury or death. This is because the risk of electric shock is higher in the presence of water. A 240 V pond pump should be: • good quality and be purchased from a reputable retailer • protected by an Safety Switch (RCD), that is tested by means of the [more..]