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Show 998. THE DAILY Friday; March 20. n w mo By JENNIFER PLANTIER Copley News Service Just about any garden comes to life with the addition of a carefully chosen water feature. For some gardeners, an elaborate pond is naturally the centerpiece of their garden paradise complete with bloomwaterlilies and other aquating ic plants, fish, frogs and other life forms that make up these balanced water environments. Others can live without the plant and animal life, but they enjoy the sight and sound of moving water in their midst. Whatever your preference, it has become easier to incorporate water into your gardens design, either on your own or with the help of a professional. Depths of design Careful planning is the first and perhaps most important step in the creative process. Gardeners must always consider the function the water feature is meant to serve. Will it be a medium for growing aquatic plants? Will it produce a relaxing trickle of flowing water? Or should it act as a simple reflecting pool for contemplation? Choose a location on your property where the pool can be enjoyed most frequently, usually within view of the house, and make it easily accessible. Keep safety in mind when planning any body of water. Your city and neighborhood will probably have specific laws governing their construction, so look into them carefully. You may be required to fence the pond or entire yard to protect young children. Build guard rails on decks or bridges that overlook water and make sure any electrical service lines (for pumps, etc.) are buried underground and connected through a circuit breaker. Never rely on extension cords in the presence of water. The basic style of your water feature will need to fit in with that of your home. Formal homes with simple, geometric landscaping will require a more formal, symmetrical water feature possibly a pond or water garden with a fountain. More casual homes may call for sa informal free-forpond, while a large property or ranch with native plants and trees suits a larger pond with natural wildlife incorporated into the design. Choose your site by considering the lay of the land, and try to minimize the amount of necessary excavation. Also check the drainage in the area, as you don't want your pond to collect contaminated rain runoff Construction clues construction process begins with the excavation of the land to the depth, size and shape of the water feature. For large ponds or water garThe actual dens, you will need to make arrangements for the topsoil you dig out. The pond's upper edge should also be determined to be perfectly level. The remaining hole should then be surveyed for sharp objects and lined with sand. The materials used to construct garden pools have improved in recent years, making it easier for gardeners to do the work themselves rather than hire lionK 'Magazine HEA a filled with water. After filling, smooth and trim the liner overhang to a edge, then pin the edges and install coping (sod, rock, pavers, flagstone, etc.) to blend it into the landscape. your goal should be to achieve a healthy balance naturally. Youll want a variety of plants, including stunning, fragrant waterlilies and exotic letuses. or shallow-wate- r Marginal such as iris and lobelia, plants, grow around the edges with roots in the water and foliage above the surface. These plants are anchored in pots of soil that sit on the floor of the pond. Floating plants do not need to be planted in soil and provide shade for water creatures. Oxygenating plants compete with algae for nutrients in the water, absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen for the water. They are also valuable tools for cleaning the water of toxins from fish waste and providing food and shelter for the fish. They should always be planted two weeks before introducing any fish into the environment. Swish jar a few times, pour out the wata; rir.se with fresh water two or three times, drain thaoughry and Pour a tablespoon or 2 of sprout seeds into ajar. Fasten nylon netting (use an old, clean pair of nylon stockings) securely over jar opening with a rubber band. Fill jar with water and set in direct sunlight for six to eight hours. Guests and Pests If your plan is to create a water environment that includes plants and animals, layjaronitsside. Repeat rinsing step twice a day for a few days, and you will have a jar full of sprouts, ready to eat or store in the refrigerator. POE Ssc it M Wsst O (p.i.) Korui, Pnvi sdjassot ta taiview Caascaity M - -- - - - . I ar from ordinary, but CLOSE to everything: TWin. to UVSC 4'imin.toBYU ,J I t C mill A v. I iMMiarciftr Mall "lvi viiitioj Un on't buy a 0jSDQ when you can have: t I Fenced pciialt rear yard Storage Shed Covered Parking Cuntomized From Elevation Ask for Cleo or- 373-377- Clubhouse with ii pool and Zapaa, we.ghlroom, conlerence room and inor- e- John - Brokers 4 374 0066 7 GEORGETOWN ft Ctt4 rur IS i 360-981- aod iiUCTM aM MM "J) t M .it. Iu N huiil JIUI,.ili.VSnk"i.l. aly.lnl A.I'.R.k.'HN I' 1 1. Villi .74, IM4 4.W.Ilv,2.WViO prico I . MIUH. rm J high-densit- -- v A For the best view ofyour world ; ;!;'.";.: MASfrfNNED . r mm ?v ,ht Exit 282 71 " (C01) 'Prices (etlK tum.u.uOi 7G3-127- Q t turns subject to ctongt I prior ule. VUtt Our Wb!tt At www.watthomet.com I Herald Online www. heraldextra . c om COMIvWlTY v. ( UJefdbu feprinQS . 11 Here's how to grow easy sprouts professionals. Flexible pool liners of PVC and Butyl (rubber), as well as new y polyethylene are all nontoxic and relatively easy to install in the next stage. Once the liner is spread over the excavation, any heavy pumps, filters, fountains or plant containers are placed in the bottom before the pool is W'' Page i Ji fr Hj KtiSSS new homes group WARDLEY BETTER HOMES tt GARDENS - |