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If you are someone who is interested in designing and maintaining your own landscapes and gardens, adding a pond to your garden is worth considering. A garden pond is a striking addition, offering a relaxing and soothing ambience to your outdoors. A garden pond or any water feature can definitely become the focal point of your garden and take pride of all the compliments that you receive from the guests. If you are planning to add a pond to your garden, you need to look into certain considerations, such as the type of garden pond, the location and size of the pond, and any additional water features such as fountains that you may want to add. This article intends to explore the advantages and features of pre formed ponds, a very popular and easy to installtype of pond.

Pre formed pond – an Ideal Choice for Beginners

A pre formed pond is often preferred by those who want to install a pond for the first time. Pre formed ponds are pre-made plastic or fiberglass ponds that you can simply insert into the ground after digging the ground in the shape of the pond. Compared to other forms of garden ponds such as pond liners/liner ponds and concrete ponds, adding a pre formed pond in your garden involves less labor costs, a shorter construction period, and reasonable maintenance expenses. A pre formed pond, in simple terms can be described as an instant and quick to install starter pond. They are available in a variety of sizes and shapes such as square, rectangle, circle and a range of other organic shapes.

Preformed ponds are favored by many house owners since they are the easiest way to bring a water feature into the garden or patio. Digging the ground of the garden in the shape of the pre formed pond shell is only the major work involved. All other necessary attachments and accessories are usually available with the pond kit making the job easy. Rigid liners with plant shelves come integrated with the pond. A pre formed pond kit may also contain a pump, a filter, water conditioners, etc. Adding a pre formed pond to your garden is not only easy but is affordable too. Since these ponds are highly durable and weather resistant, there is less tension about possible damage or other issues.

Before making your final choice regarding pond type, analyze what you expect from a garden pond and identify the reasons for your desire to install one in the first place. You may wish to combine a pre formed pond with a rock effect cascade or waterfall to add another element to your overall look. Whether you choose a geometric shape for a simple modern look or an organic shape with plants to go for a more naturalistic look there is a preformed pond to suit your needs. Defining your intention will itself solve your confusion regarding selecting the right type of garden pond. 

If you are someone who is interested in designing and maintaining your own landscapes and gardens, adding a pond to your garden is worth considering. A garden pond is a striking addition, offering a relaxing and soothing ambience to your outdoors. A garden pond or any water feature can definitely become the focal point of your garden and take pride of all the compliments that you receive from the guests. If you are planning to add a pond to your garden, you need to look into certain considerations, such as the type of garden pond, the location and size of the pond, and any additional water features such as fountains that you may want to add. This article intends to explore the advantages and features of pre formed ponds, a very popular and easy to installtype of pond.

Pre formed pond – an Ideal Choice for Beginners

A pre formed pond is often preferred by those who want to install a pond for the first time. Pre formed ponds are pre-made plastic or fiberglass ponds that you can simply insert into the ground after digging the ground in the shape of the pond. Compared to other forms of garden ponds such as pond liners/liner ponds and concrete ponds, adding a pre formed pond in your garden involves less labor costs, a shorter construction period, and reasonable maintenance expenses. A pre formed pond, in simple terms can be described as an instant and quick to install starter pond. They are available in a variety of sizes and shapes such as square, rectangle, circle and a range of other organic shapes.

Preformed ponds are favored by many house owners since they are the easiest way to bring a water feature into the garden or patio. Digging the ground of the garden in the shape of the pre formed pond shell is only the major work involved. All other necessary attachments and accessories are usually available with the pond kit making the job easy. Rigid liners with plant shelves come integrated with the pond. A pre formed pond kit may also contain a pump, a filter, water conditioners, etc. Adding a pre formed pond to your garden is not only easy but is affordable too. Since these ponds are highly durable and weather resistant, there is less tension about possible damage or other issues.

Before making your final choice regarding pond type, analyze what you expect from a garden pond and identify the reasons for your desire to install one in the first place. You may wish to combine a pre formed pond with a rock effect cascade or waterfall to add another element to your overall look. Whether you choose a geometric shape for a simple modern look or an organic shape with plants to go for a more naturalistic look there is a preformed pond to suit your needs. Defining your intention will itself solve your confusion regarding selecting the right type of garden pond. 

Growing your own fruit and vegetables is a huge leap towards making your life greener and healthier. It is a great money saver because you get fresh produce at nearly half the cost you would otherwise have to pay to buy from your local market. If you are using organic farming methods, it will help in preserving the soil nutrients while cutting down on the use of toxic pesticides and chemicals.

It is possible to grow almost all varieties of fruits and vegetables in your garden without taking too much of time off from your other routine activities. All it requires is a working knowledge of which soil works best for a set variety of plants. The climatic conditions prevalent in your place and the rainfall are also factors that need to be taken into account when you plan to grow your own fruits and vegetables.

The amount of space that you will be able to spare for your food garden is another important aspect. The more space you are able to use, the more varieties of plants can be produced. Garden planters can be used to create food garden within a limited space in your backyard. It also helps restrict the growth of invasive plants and enables you to move your plants from indoors to out whenever you feel the need to do so.

Pots and planters can be used to lend a touch of style and elegance to your planting area. They are available in a variety of shapes and sized and can blend effortlessly with other elements in your garden. They are highly functional and extremely good for improving the looks of your garden without having to spend too much. Planters with self watering options are available at affordable rates. Planters are available in a variety of material. It is important to decide on the one that’s right for your garden.

Teak planter are a good option to consider for growing vegetables and fruits in your garden space. Apart from lending style and space to your garden, they are easy to handle. They have a slatted base to allow drainage. If you don’t know where to find them, look online to get access to a wide variety of excellent planters in various colours and designs.

A 4 Tier greenhouse is the best way to propagate seeds and grow plants. It is the perfect option to consider if you have space constraints but still wish to grow your own fruits and vegetables. 

Every Friday we run a simple competition on our Twitter page where our customers and friends can all take part. This past Friday we asked everyone 'what there all time favourite gardening tip was'. We received some excellent tips and ideas from hundreds of people.

With Spring right around the corner, many of us will start planting within the next few weeks so we thought it would be a great idea to put some of your gardening tips to share with everyone. 

When it comes to gardening, we want to get it right. Here are 10 top gardening tips from our followers on Twitter. 

1. It is a good idea to place bird feeders in your garden and keep them stocked up on fresh bird feed throughout the season. Providing bird with fresh clean water is also a advised. Having birds in the garden will help reduce the number of insects and slugs who will sabotage your crops. 
2. If you are into vegetable growing it is advised to never put your 'show leeks' out until June. The reason for this as we all live in the United Kingdom where weather is slightly unpredictable and we may see a late freeze during the Spring season. 
3. When growing vegetable it is advised to move plant plots and planters from year to year to make best use of natural nutrients provided by the surrounding soil. 
4. In preparation for growing this season, a top tip is to place your small seed pots on a quick was cycle in the dishwasher in order to disinfect the pots. 
5. Try to not fuss too much about your growing strategy. Leaving things to grow with out preening too much increases your success rate more than being to controlling. 
6. The use of egg shells to deter slug's, simply placing them in the soil will protect your plants and vegetables. 
7. Placing some old carpet with pre cut holes on top of a flowerbed and then covering it with soil. Planting on top of this helps to reduce weeds & retain moisture.
8. Another top tip for vegetable growers is to grow your carrots inside of containers. This will reduce the chance of your crop being attacked by fly's and other insects. 
9. Give Summer-flowering clematis a hard prune. It sounds a little drastic, however the plant will put on rapid new growth during the Spring season. 
10. Take advantage of the discount stores, it is possible to have a beautiful garden even on a limited budget. Online garden centres are able to offer lower prices on garden accessories than your local or standard stores. 

There we have it, 10 selected top gardening tips from our loyal followers on Twitter. Come and join in on the conversation this Friday where we will have a new question and a new prize up for grabs.

UK Water Features has everything you need for your garden in one online gardening store. Stocking a large range of gardening accessories, planters, greenhouses and much more. 

Kelkay is one of the most respected names in the garden features market, and when they announced the launch of the Kelkay Easy Fountain many suppliers across the UK were extremely eager to get on board. With everyone now a days having such a busy and hectic schedule, we tend not to have that much spare time to sit down on the weekends and build a water feature from either scratch or from some lengthy instruction manual. With the development of the Kelkay Easy Fountain this problem was instantly solved. Now everyone has the time to install a easy fountain becasue of the simplicity of the install. May sound a little cliché however, it is as easy as 1, 2, 3. 

Kelkay entered the market over 9 years ago with a mission to change, stimulate and inspire the garden centre industry.

By applying "retail solutions" to previously neglected categories such as garden aggregates, decorative paving, Kelkay then created promotional point-of-sale, merchandising units and display stands, resulting in a dramatic rise in popularity on these garden categories.

These successful retail solutions have also been applied to fountains, garden features and garden ornaments. In fact today's market sees the Kelkay easyfountain® range the UK's number 1 brand of garden water features.

*This is an image that was sent in from one of our customers, it is the water pump boy and girl water feature*

The Kelkay Easy Fountains are all made from durable resin-stone, are self contained, with no need for a permanent water supply. The Easy Fountains are all easy to unpack and assemble and best of all they need no tools and no experience. One of the most popular Easy Fountains is the Kelkay Friendship Fountain. This is truly a remarkable water feature and add a simple yet very elegant look to any sized garden. With the inclusion of the safe low voltage lights inside the water feature, it really comes to life at night. 

So as mentioned before, they really are as simple as 1,2,3 to install 

1:Unpack your new garden water feature from its packaging by simply removing it from the box and taking of the protective wrapping.

2: Fill the self contained water tank with water

3: Plug your beautiful new water fountain into the mains

Then all you have to do is sit back relax and admire all the hard work that you just put into installing that lovely water feature in your garden.

Here at UK Water Features we stock the entire range of KelKay products including the 2011 KelKay Easy Fountain range. 

UK Water Features has a huge range of garden summer essentials ranging from garden lighting, garden buildings, bbq's and water features. 

Having a water feature in your garden can create a relaxing and tranquil atmosphere where you can sit and enjoy your lovely garden. If you are one of those hands on people, who prefer to get the satisfaction of starting from scratch on a project to achieve a sense of accomplishment with the outcome then creating your own water feature is actually not that tough.

The concept of flowing water transforms the ambience of a garden. It doesn't really matter where the source of the moving water is coming from this is all personal preference. Whether it’s a garden pond or a spectacular flowing cascade water feature, the end result is the actual the sight and sound of flowing water that provides triggers a response of our senses. An important factor to consider is the actual placing of the water feature as once it is placed and water is flowing, you really do not want to be moving it around all that much. A couple of perfect ideas to consider are areas of your garden that is partially shaded, sheltered from wind and of course where the water feature can be appreciated by yourself and others.

What you need?

All in all it is actually quite simple and there is no need for you to be a garden designer or some sort of water feature specialist in order to construct. All recycling water features, i.e. those that circulate their own water feature. As with many self contained water features that recycle from a reservoir via a pump through a decorative feature, they are actually mostly constructed in a similar way whether they be freestanding, flush with the ground or even a wall-mounted feature.

To create a basic garden water feature of your very own the essential building kits consists of: a reservoir, which is filled with water; a submersible pond pump (plus attachments if you are creating a fountain effect). Obviously you’ll also need some sort of tools for digging out the hole (if the reservoir is below ground), and a spout with extra hose if the out-flow is elevated above the reservoir, and a nearby electricity supply.

A note to remember is that even though the submersible pump recycles water, the reservoir will need topping up every now and then (especially during days of warm or windy weather). Water features generally use pumps which run off low-voltage electricity. Remember though that they all need to be plugged in in-doors and always use a residual circuit breaker (RCB).

It is possible to create a simple water feature with a small budget. So unless you are thinking of creating a luxurious cascade water feature with expensive rocks or millstones then this may be a double if not more. To keep things simple, here is a shopping list to create a lovely yet simple water feature in your garden.

�� Small pump
�� Butyl pond liner and reservoir tank or pebble-pool reservoir
�� Steel mesh
�� Cobbles

First dig in your reservoir.

Next cover the reservoir with heavy gauge steel mesh and supporting timber if needed.

Attach a pipe to the outlet of the pump, and pass it through the mesh to the fountain head.

Position the head and arrange some stones so that the head is held in place and can’t be seen.

The flow rate will need to be adjusted by a valve on the outlet pipe of the pond pump so that water sprays out of the fountain, washes over the stones and back into the reservoir.

To build a raised water feature could potentially be a little more expensive depending on the actual fountain head that you decide on. This kind of water feature could also be constructed in a day. To construct a raised water feature you will need:

�� Medium-sized pump
�� Reservoir tank
�� Steel mesh
�� Fountain head
�� Cobbles
�� Length of hose

In order to construct this kind of water feature the reservoir needs to be big enough/deep enough to hold water feature pump. If free-standing, you could choose an attractive container such as a water tank or large ceramic pot. If not then it can be concealed behind a low wall or behind an arrangement of flowers

Place the new water feature pump in the tank and attach a long piece of flexible hose to the outlet pipe.

Cover the tank with a piece of steel mesh and thread the hose through it. (Same as before)

Then run the flexible hose up to the fountain head.

Disguise the pipe work by running it behind a batten attached to a fence post.

If the water feature is built against a wall, embed it into the brickwork.

Cover the steel mesh with a layer of decorative garden pebbles.

Adjust the flow rate so that water sprays/flows into the reservoir.

Choosing the correct pump really depends on what your intentions are. With such a wide range of water feature pumps available, it will certainly be to your benefit to doing a little research on which pump will suit your water feature.

One final note, as we know water and electricity are a potentially lethal combination, so when conecting our new feature to the mains don't forget to make sure that any mains supply to the garden is protected by an RCD, preferably at the house fuse box.

Sit back, admire your new water feature and relax in your garden. Job well done!

UK Water Features has a huge range of garden summer essentials ranging from garden lighting, garden buildings, bbq's and water features. 

As the summer weather finally starts to shine upon us we are all thinking about making the most out of this very temperamental weather and with the weather forecast set to be a good one for the next week now would be a good time to enjoy the weather on our back gardens. As some of may well be a little limited on space back there here are a few little tips that can enhance your garden and make the most of the space that you have got.  Irregardless of what sized garden we have it is so easy to make the most out of the outdoor space that we do have with a few simple additions a little maneuverering and a little playing around.

Let's get started. I know we are all thinking "Let's have a BBQ!" well it certainly is set to be a lovely weekend for one. However if

your garden is in fact limited on space then remember that to host a great BBQ for a few friends and family there is no real need to have a huge BBQ. A simple BBQ like a flat bed2 burner is ample for a small party. Get out of the mind set of thinking that the 'bigger the better' and opt for the smaller BBQ that will fit nicely in a corner somewhere.

For those with smaller gardens, there really is no need to panic and start thinking that there is just not enough room to fit everything that you want. Well ask yourself this Do you need a full fledged patio set with a massive umbrella? In most cases you probably don't. The good thing is there is certainly room for some seating. After all a seating are in your back garden is essential. Think a little on the smaller side and add garden furniture that has enough seating for your family and maybe a friend or two. The Illinois Round Sunburst Teak Table & 4 Chairs is a fantastic little garden furniture set that will not take up too much room in the garden, giving you more room to play with.

Now if your small garden isn’t quite big enough a large flower bed or decorated area, it is still possible to brighten it up with some strategically placed garden accessories such as garden gnomes, birdbaths or even a small water feature. It is even possible to brighten your garden up with some strategically placed potted planters or some beautiful hanging baskets that are off the garden floor preventing any unwanted clutter.  

With the summer not quite hitting the highs right now, the evenings are still a little on the chilly side. So if you are planning on  entertaining outdoors or if you are fond of the lazy summer evenings on the back garden then it is certainly a good idea to consider a chiminea or firepit. These can be placed in around or near a small garden furniture set. Many of the newer models are a lot more versatile so they can be moved around the garden when needed. Once finished simply place them back in a corner in you garden for another day. Keep in mind though, many of the designs are very decorative and offer a lot unique ad traditional look/feel to your garden, so you don't want to store it away somewhere where no one can see it.

Your garden may be small, but you need to tell yourself this "If I move this over there this will create a little more room here for this". When creating room inyour garden and making the most out of your space it really is as simple as trail and error. Move things around and play with the space that you have got.

Well with what looks like the worst of the cold grim winter weather behind us, and the fresh spring weather sweeping in now might be a good time to do a spot of water feature “spring cleaning”.

The harsh winter weather may have paid a toll this year on your water features. While you were in doors sat by a toasty fire all winter, your water features were outdoors in the cold wintery snow.  A properly designed and built water feature will suffer no weather issues so as it is maintained properly beforehand. However if you are an owner of water fountain of any sort, and your water feature was left all winter uncovered by a winter protector then you may notice some minor cracks in the actual feature. This could have happened for a variety of reasons with the main one being a water feature which was not been correctly covered causing the water inside to expand which has caused the water feature to crack.  

If you are wondering what to do with the water in the feature before winter, the best option is to completely drain it. Once it is fully drained then use a suitable water feature protection cover to cover as much of the surface as possible, preventing any cracks.

If you are unfortunate and do stumble on a few hairline cracks in your water feature, they may well be fixable with a few easy steps and a little patience. The use of a sealant called epoxy may be able to repair any small hairline cracks.  

If your water feature has picked up a few leaks over the winter season, there is no need to worry. Simply get your hands on some sort of spray seal. What this does is simply heals over where there is a leak. The spray seals are perfect for fixing any sort of minor leaks from any gaskets or pipes from the horrendous winter month’s wear and tear. Good thing is, is that they will repair cracks or leaks in just about anything. Essentially you are doing the job of an experienced repair man. Usually there are two types available, one being black and the other being clear. Generally the black spray is used for interior leaks and the clear spray is for exterior leaks. This is simply due to the visibility of the sprays. 

Algae are another water feature damaging element that you need to avoid. This is the time of year where algae will start to grow. With the temperatures increasing this provides a perfect breeding environment for this bacterium. 

What is algae you ask? Well, Algae are a large and diverse group of eukaryotic (complex-celled) photosynthetic organisms. The green algae are primitive members of kingdom Plantae, though other types of algae are outside the kingdom entirely. Land plants evolved from green algae about 500 million years ago. The algae are a paraphyletic group, meaning they did not descend from a common ancestor. Algal groups have independently evolved several times in life on Earth, representing a beneficial strategy adopted by parallel evolutionary paths. (Just a little science and history for you).

A simple way to prevent this nasty bacteria forming is the use of an algae stopper. Simply spraying your water feature with this repellent will aid in preventing algae from growing.  A few key things to consider when using an algae stopper are that they are not suitable for fish or other marine life; they are not harmful to birds or any other animals and will also prevent a slime build up inside your water feature.

So remember not to worry if you do notice a small crack in your water feature. Take the appropriate action and don’t forget to cover it next year when the temperatures drop again, but let’s not think about the cold weather summer is next!

UK Water Features

For those who are trying to live a green lifestyle, a solar water feature is an ideal landscaping solution. These water features are designed to operate in climates that do not always have copious amounts of direct sunlight. There is nothing greener than allowing Mother Nature to power your garden water feature.

Choices abound in the solar water feature market. One of the most novel solutions offered in the solar water feature market is that of the removable solar panel. Purchasing a solar water feature with a removable solar panel allows the owner to place the solar panel in an area that receives significant direct sunlight even if the water feature itself does not receive adequate direct sunlight. This allows the owner more choice in where to locate the solar water feature within the garden.

By recirculating water, solar water features conserve water while also saving money. Harnessing the energy of the sun to power the water feature allows the owner to constantly recirculate the water at absolutely no cost. By keeping the water moving, the solar water feature reduces algae growth and thus reduces the need for algae removal products. This reduction in chemical use makes solar water features an excellent and earth-friendly green choice.

In summary, solar water features create a lovely and tranquil oasis while still being an entirely green choice for eco-conscious gardeners.

For a large range of wall fountains, indoor, self contained and solar water features, please visit our shop

Adding paved areas to your garden area will enhance its appearance and reduce maintenance. The paved area will not need to be weeded and watered, just swept as needed. If the paved area installation is well done, you will not need to repair or replace it for twenty or thirty years.

The size of your garden and how you want to use it will guide your decisions. Do you want a paved path meandering through the garden, a paved patio area for entertaining or perhaps, you would like to pave the whole area, very low maintenance, and add large container gardens for color.

Once you have decided on the use, you will find paving materials and aggregates in many different colours and shapes available in concrete, cobbles, brick and natural stone. Concrete is the least expensive choice; stone the best choice for a natural look.

Material chosen; plan your design. A small garden with a pond or fountain as a focal point, small areas devoted to greenery and flowers and a patio covering the rest of the space, with perhaps a garden table and chairs and some pots filled with seasonal flowers placed about, would be lovely.

A large garden could be divided into different areas; an entertaining area, children play area, lawn and flower gardens and a kitchen garden, all with a unifying theme, are a few suggestions.

If you are going to be enhancing your garden with a solar water feature, you need to establish how often you would prefer to use it. It is totally fine if you plan to run your solar water feature only on sunny days, but if you are planning to run it on days when it is cloudy, I’d suggest you to also purchase a battery pack. By adding a battery pack, you will be able to use your water feature whenever you would like to. If your solar water feature is not going to be installed in direct sunlight, it is recommended you attach a solar panel in order to receive an adequate amount of sunlight to power the water feature.

When it comes to choosing a water feature, they come in many different varieties. For those of you that are deciding on the type of water feature you want, they are available in terra cotta, slate, stone resin, copper and ceramic. The best solar water feature to choose is the one that can function in climate for your area. Many types of water features, like stone or ceramic, will crack in extreme cold temperatures. The best type of water feature to use in cold climates is metal and resin. Also, to ensure your solar water feature is protected during the winter, you will have to remove it when it is cold and put it somewhere like the garage.

For an indepth range of water features please visit our site

As a busy person, you will find a self contained water feature to be an ideal choice for your garden or patio. Sold in many shapes and sizes, these water features set up in minutes. Self contained water features allow busy people to add an interesting and peaceful area to a garden or patio while necessitating minimal expenditure of time and effort. Above ground ponds are a particularly useful self contained water feature. Requiring no more than a level spot to sit on, these ponds set up in minutes but provide instant peace and tranquility to any garden.

As self contained water features are recirculating, they are quite simple to clean and maintain. Occasional use of an algae stopper is necessary to prevent the water in your water feature from turning an unpleasant shade of green. If hard water is an issue in your area, you will need to occasionally employ a limescale cleanser to prevent buildup in your water feature. If you expect freezing temperatures, it is best to drain your self contained water feature and take it indoors if at all possible. If this is not possible, you can purchase a cover for your water feature to protect it from the freezing temperatures.

In summary, if you are a busy person, purchasing a self contained water feature will allow you to add a tranquil area to your garden without forcing you to spend countless hours installing and maintaining this valuable addition to your landscaping. A self contained water feature is truly the ideal choice for busy people.

Many people enjoy the exercise and fresh air that an outdoor garden affords. And the rewards for such efforts are the peaceful greens of foliage and the myriad pleasing colours of flowers. But whether you have acres of garden or a tiny cottage patch of flowers, there are always those pesky weeds with which to contend. Rock aggregates are the perfect way to keep weeds down and accent your favourite garden plants at the same time.

While there are many types of mulches available on the market, rock aggregates are becoming more and more popular with gardeners these days. Small stones, pebbles, gravel for walkways and larger stones are available, as well, for accent pieces in and around the garden pond. Every colour of rock is available to enhance the colour of the plants you have chosen for your plantings. Rock aggregates can also be used as paving stones as edging for flower beds or as paving stones for pathways. And crushed rock and crushed glass of many colours will add a touch of class to your outdoor garden scheme. Unlike mulch, rock aggregate materials do not need to be replaced as often, and do not biodegrade as quickly as mulch.

Nothing beats rock aggregate for a low maintenance garden as a mulch, path or basis for a garden pond.

UK Water Features - UK's leading water feature and garden supply website

Stainless steel is a practical and beautiful material for garden water features. It is durable, easy to clean, and resists algae growth. Stainless steel is much easier to clean than traditional concrete, which both algae and moss tend to grow on. It is so much more enjoyable to spend countless hours walking in your garden viewing stainless steel water features than it is to spend all your time cleaning stone and concrete water features with brushes.

The beauty of stainless steel is in its reflective shimmering quality which is brought out by the shimmering water flowing over its surface. Wet stainless sparkles in the sun, and reflects the shapes and colours around it, with a glorious brightness and lustre. Stainless steel water features can be exceptionally beautiful, in a contemporary garden.

Stainless water features comes in a variety of finishes, styles and sizes. Orbs and cylinders are very popular forms, but there are also basins with spray founts, series of bowls and basins, and even cubes. Freeform modern stainless sculptures are an attractive alternative as well.

Some stainless steel water features can be placed in small ponds while others are free standing and self contained. Stainless Steel water features can be placed in stainless steel reservoirs and pebble grids, to help keep your garden clean and tidy. When the garden is not in use, stainless steel water feature pumps can be shut off by remote control, to avoid wasting power.

Using clever mirrors and reflections from contemporary designed water features can make your garden look bigger as well as enchanting. Mirrors are used in many modern buildings such as supermarkets, apartments, and gardens all over the world to make them look better, contemporary and also larger.

In the modern UK housing market space is at a premium and many gardens and outside spaces are smaller and compact. People find that if these spaces feel too cramped they are unable to enjoy the space to the full.  In such cases adding a contemporary chrome or stainless steel water feature will take up space but actually makes the garden feel larger.  It will give the mind a sensory focus, the light reflected by the water as well as the materials used in the feature and the sounds of the water bubbling or trickling will instantly relax a busy or stressed mind.

When enhancing the space of a garden you need to make sure that mirrors reflect the most attractive aspects of your outside space. This will help make mirrors bounce back the natural light that helps illuminate the features of your garden.

Mirrors are even used to balance out walls that aren't level or to create a fake window. This same concept can help take an unattractive fence and make it into something truly breathtaking. Gardens are unique to the individual and are often an expression of their owners.

There are certain things that take an outdoor space up to the next level, and a water feature is definitely one of them.

Landscaping companies are more than aware of the perks of a water feature and charge a small fortune for their services. However, it's more than possible for a handy homeowner to build their own bespoke water feature themselves for a fraction of the price.

There are a variety of kits available locally and online, but it's also possible to build a water feature with little more than a basic pump and some other simple supplies.

A water feature consists of a water tight base to hold the water, a pump and hoses for movement and circulation, and rocks, a sculpture or shells for the water to flow over.

Select an optimal spot in the garden. Dig out a bed for the water tight container. Line the hole with liner and insert the container. It should be snug. Arrange the rocks and tubing throughout, creating a pleasing structure. Silicone caulking works well to secure the tubing. When caulking is dry, submerge the pump and hook up the tubing. You now have your own bespoke water feature.

Choose decorative rocks or a sculpture that appeals to you and you will create a work of art that is uniquely yours.

Creating your own water feature at home is as simple as going to the store, pickup a pump and making the water feature yourself. The hardest part in making a water feature is choosing the water pump.

Water pumps are rated by LPH or litres per hour. The trick with choosing the right water pump is to measure accurately the lift you will require. The lift is defined as the number of feet the pump must move water vertically. Lift is measured from the pump to the exit spot of the water. If the pump is submerged one foot and must pump water through a line up a three foot tall statue then the lift is four feet. Most pumps have a grid on their packaging that indicates how many gallons per hour a pump will flow at X number of feet. It is important to choose a pump that is not too small or the water will not rise up the lift and fall. It is equally important not to choose a pump that is too large because the water will shoot beyond the reservoir. The ideal pump should turn over the water volume of the reservoir 3-4 times per hour.

Reservoirs can be constructed out of any material that will hold water. Flexible pond liners work really well. A sturdy plastic or metal screen should be placed over the reservoir and decorative rocks placed on top of the screen. The centre piece of the water feature will also rest on the screen so make sure the screen is stable or a base may be needed for the centre piece. The goal is to keep the water free of debris and the rocks should keep leaves, etc out of the water. The rocks also make it easier to refill the reservoir.

The next step is to connect the water pump with flexible tubing and attach the tubing to the centre piece. If using an open urn type centre piece then fill the urn about 1/4 full with small gravel and use rigid tubing for your uplift.

The rest is up to the designer. Let the creativity be your guide.

~UKWaterFeatures.com

Maintaining water features throughout the year with the change in weather and season is challenging task. Water can soon get clogged up. It is important to maintain your landscape water element properly for its running. There can be countless problems that can be a result of water features, especially when someone utilizes dirty or contaminated water. Special measures should be taken to solve problem and to avoid trouble.

Basically, two types of algae, string algae and notorious plankton algae affect the pond by making its water green. Sunlight and nutrition are two factors behind their growth. Providing shade to the pond by using above or besides the growth of plant can provide cover to the surface and reduces sunlight to get into it. Use of these covers can stop sun light to get into and thus reduces algae growth. Cleaning of the water timely will reduce the presence of nutrients.

Winter protection covers for fountains are available for outdoor fountains and in ground swimming pool. These covers help to protect these pools from the effect of cruel weather. They are made up of durable material and also have additional feature such as weather resistant surface coating which increases their durability and strength. Algae stopper anti algae treatments are very effective in reducing algae growth. Fountain cleaning products prolong the cleaning period of the fountain and ponds and make cleaning faster to provide fresh water.

Mostly everyone likes to decorate for Christmas and for many a Christmas tree is a must but, sometimes it is hard to decide whether to purchase a real tree or buy an artificial tree.

Buying a real tree has several advantages in comparison to an artificial tree. When you buy a real tree, you can enjoy the fun and adventure of going to an outdoor fair or garden centre where they are selling lines of trees, and enjoy the wonderful aroma of fresh trees. When you’re there looking at them, you can also touch the trees to see which look and feel the freshest. As you wander through the trees you can enjoy times in the past when you did the same thing—maybe with your loved one or parents and once again relive the memory of that time.

Then, of course, once you bring the real tree home, you water the tree and then bring it in the house for decoration. This is the best part because you can decorate your real tree any way you want. This is your tree—your selection-- and as you put the ornaments on the tree, you can once again enjoy the aroma and beauty of a real tree. In addition, real trees release a good amount of oxygen into the air and real trees are renewable—they can be recycled and that is eco-friendly to the environment.

When decorating your home for the holidays it is important to always keep safety at the forefront. The holidays are a wonderful time filled with family and friends but no holiday is fun if you are in the hospital with a broken arm. That is why it is wise to never try to do all the decorating by yourself. Always have a second person there to steady a ladder when climbing onto the roof to attach the Christmas lights or when you are on that step stool putting that star on top of the tree.

Another important safety tip to remember is to never overload your outlets. With all the LED christmas tree lights and outdoor Christmas lights you will be putting up, it would be a good idea to invest in a quality power outlet strip to avoid potential fire hazards from having too many things plugged in. Always remember to turn all the Christmas lights off when leaving the house for extended periods of time or when you go to sleep.

Outside Christmas lights are pretty to look at but can easily become too hot and start a fire. Always make sure when you are putting out your Christmas decorations not to block hallways. In case of an emergency it is important to have a clear exit path. If you follow these important safety tips you are sure to have a great holiday season.

Rock salt is a great way to thaw ice. It is very beneficial to use on roads in the wintertime. Many roads become very hard to travel in the wintertime making it hard for people to get to where they need to go. Rock salt helps to make roads easier to travel so that people can make it to work during wintertime.

Roads and paths become very slick in the wintertime and rock salt is beneficial in making it so that people will not fall down and get hurt. This helps to save on potential danger especially for at risk people, such as the elderly. Using rock salt is wise for business owners as well as it can help to make the entrance to the office premises both accessible and danger free for its employees.

Rock salt can also be used in areas where ice might build up in the garden. Sometimes ice builds up next to the house and sprinkling rock salt on it will melt the top layer of the ice so that it can be chipped away and removed.

Rock salt has many uses and will melt ice in the wintertime. Buy bulk rock salt bags at UK Water Features

Again a blog post from an avid christmas fan!

I am one of those people that really gets into the Christmas spirit. I love the Christmas lights, the baking, the tree trimming and especially the house decorating! This year I have decided to take it to the next level and have come up with the top decorating ideas for your Christmas displays.

I already have some pretty extensive decorating going on so I had to be really creative in coming up with new ideas to add to my collection. The first thing that I thought of was my nativity scene and how lovely it would be to feature several nativity scenes from different cultures. I also realised that although I have wreathes in my windows, my curtains were unadorned so I added simple bows done in red to spruce them up a little bit.

I also wanted to make sure I did not forget about the outdoors so I added some lights to my outdoor water fountains and added some giant plastic candy canes to my garden. I also decided to do an outdoor tree in addition to the one inside so I purchased a plastic tree complete with LED christmas lights and will set it up in my garden. I will use red and white lights on it.

This is a guide from one of our employees about their first christmas in a new home...

This is the first year that I will have a garden to decorate for Christmas and I am going all out. I am going to do the traditional outdoor Christmas lights strung along the porch and in the trees but I have been researching some other creative ways to decorate outside. I have an outdoor fountain that has a little cement boy on it so I will start by putting a Santa hat on him!

I think it will look hilarious and adorable. I will also get a traditional nativity scene including several animals and a manger. That will be the focal point of my outdoor decorations. I will set this up under the biggest tree in my garden because I have found these beautiful outdoor Moravian Christmas stars. They came in several colours but I’ll chose white and red for mine. They really illuminate the nativity and make it look almost holy. I also purchased one of those light up topiary animals that you see everywhere. The one I will get does not move but there are several varieties that are electric and will make the reindeer's head bob up and down to make it look like he is eating. My outdoor decorations are really coming together and I think this is the year I will be finished on time.

Christmas lights are popular throughout the holiday season because it gives life to our decorations.

Tips that should be helpful are knowing what kind of lights you are using and the size of the area to decorate. If you are decorating outside be sure to get the lights that are for outdoor use. Shorter strands are helpful when replacing a strand that has broken. Measure the area to make sure you have enough strands to completely fill the area intended.

When decorating inside, make sure that you use lights that are for indoor use. If you have a real tree make sure that it is watered daily. Add lights to the focal points of the inside of your home, this will make great conversation for your guests. One thing to keep in mind and that is to not overload your lights or extension cords. If there are to many lights plugged into the same outlet, this could be hazardous.

If you are interested in lights that change with the music, there are control units that can be purchased or information on the web for the do it yourself.

If you have a light that is not working, just hold the lights up and look through each one. If there is a bad bulb you will see it. This way you are still able to use that whole strand of lights.

In the winter of 2009, it was one of the coldest to hit the UK for decades and the cold winter snap not only made commuting to work and going to the shops difficult but for some people it made it impossible. Even simple things like going to take the rubbish out proved too much as the snow on the drive ways and paths made it treacherous on foot. Some good samaritans did help out the vulnerable people but often found themselves short on tools such as snow shovels and rock salt (which even the UK government seemed to have trouble in getting their hands on).

This year at UK Water Features we have more winter provisions from rock salt to help to grit your paths and driveways, to snow shovels and even sledges to have fun if the snow comes again. So don't wait until the snow and cold front hits, order now and avoid the panic buying of last year and be ready for when the snow hits this winter!

An outdoor display of Christmas lights can be bold with large light bulbs or discreet with tiny light bulbs. Some people still use their medium size light bulbs to some advantage. What is particularly attractive is a single colour display of either clear or blue coloured bulbs. Red bulbs are rather garish and few people go in for a single red colour bulb display for Christmas. Hiring a professional Christmas garden light decorator is much easier lately, than in previous years. One can avoid the sometimes hazardous task of stringing outdoor lights for Christmas by using one of these home decorating services.

If you hire a home decorator to string your Christmas light displays, he will probably have suggestions for you. If you plan on stringing your outdoor Christmas lights yourself, the usual pattern of outlining your home's roof and extending the decorative bulbs to your front bushes, maybe including a focal tree in your decoration is still attractive and relatively simple to do. What you should do is to make sure that your lights are coupled properly since you will want to use a single outdoor electrical outlet to plug them in when you are done stringing your outdoor lights. And always use designated outdoor electrical bulbs when planning your outdoor lights for Christmas.

Adding a special touch like a Santa Claus with sled and rein deer is a very Christmas scene that does not require much labour and will look good during the whole Christmas season.

Halloween has had many influences, and is truly an ancient holiday. It was originally a Celtic Holiday, but even the Roman's had celebrations to the God Pomona about the same time. The Celts favourite God was the Sun God. It was the Sun God who gave them the warmth to be able to grow their crops. The Celts would celebrate the end of the reign of the Sun God on November 1st. This would usher in the season of cold and darkness.

On October 31st after the crops were harvested. The Celts would extinguish the fires in their homes and go to the dark Oak forest. The Celtic priest also known as a Druid would begin a festival, and the Celts would dance and offer food and animal sacrifices to the Gods. At the end of the festival the Druid priest would give the villagers an ember. The Celts would take the ember home and begin a fire. This fire would ward off the evil spirits. This festival began known as Samhain. Later after the Romans conquered Britain it was mixed in with the festival to the God Pomona, and later with the Catholic holiday Hallowmas, and all SaintsDay.

In the 19th century the holiday became more of a secular event, and the traditional ideas of Halloween came about. Today we celebrate Halloween with costumes, sweets and decorations. One interesting and unusual decoration is the Chinese sky lantern. These come in many colours and designs, are readily available online and in brick and mortar stores and will help to keep your Halloween festive. Why not decorate your home with a chinese flying halloween lantern?

There are many benefits of using LED lights over traditional Christmas lights. LED lights are much more environmentally friendly than traditional Christmas lights. They are long lasting, and use a fraction of the energy that traditional Christmas bulbs do. Many individuals are now switching to the LED bulbs, for this reason.

There are many styles and varieties of LED lights available. An individual need not be concerned about finding a colour or style that will work for them. LED Christmas light are available anywhere Christmas lights are sold. They are relatively inexpensive to purchase and will last much longer than traditional Christmas lights as they have no filaments.

They do not get hot like traditional Christmas lights so they release less heat into the atmosphere, and conserve on your electric bill at the same time. There is no need to replace these bulbs. They will last for years. Individuals also don't have the difficulty with the whole string of lights being out because of one light. These lights frequently offer a lifetime guarantee which stacks up very favourably with traditional Christmas lights. LED lights are a responsible choice and one that makes a great deal of sense in today's world. Buying these lights is beneficial not only for the homeowner, but also the power company and the Earth at large. So, this Christmas consider the responsible choice of LED lights.

It may be hard to find a definitive guide for Garden Winter care. This is due to the fact that gardens are as unique as the people who create them. There are many different types of gardens, but applicable to all of them are some pretty good steps for making sure your garden is maintained throughout the winter.

If you have an indoor garden then winter preparations is not as important of a thing to worry about. This is especially the case if your garden is climate controlled. If this is the case your only real concern is to make sure everything stays at optimal temperature through the cold winter months.

If you're like most people and have a garden that is outside then you will encounter a few problems with the cold winter months. The main concern of an outdoor garden is the possibility of freezing. If you happen to get a frost or snow your garden may be done for.

If possible you should move plants of yours inside, which may require transplanting them into temporary vessels. But, if this is not possible there are other alternatives. One thing you might consider is a heater in your garden if at all possible. If by chance you're in an area that doesn't often get frost you may be able to get by with covering your plants with a sheet or blanket throughout the harsh, cold times.

If you've gone to all the trouble of maintaining a garden then it should be just as important for you to ensure its longevity. A primary way to make sure your garden is here for a long time to come is by taking the appropriate steps toward winter care for your garden.

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The end of autumn is a time of preparation for many gardeners and landscapers. It is common knowledge that most plants will not survive the winter months, but what many people don't know is neither will the water features in your garden. It may seem like they would not be harmed since the water is constantly moving, but this is not the case for most water features, even smaller ones.

Before the first cold winter snap, it is important to go ahead and empty out your water feature and move it to a place that is warm and dry. No matter the material your water feature is made of, the stress of freezing temperatures on the fountain and pumps is too much for them to last long. While it may seem like a quick fix to simply pour antifreeze or some other warming agent into the fountain, these chemicals are often dangerous to animals and the environment. It is not recommended to try this "quick fix" because it could have devastating results.

If you are unable to move the fountain to a better location, it is still necessary to empty it out and make sure it stays dry throughout the entire winter. Even if a cover is used, water may leak into it and potentially cause damage. Don't think that your water feature is safe from the winter cold, because you may regret it come spring!

Autumn brings many new colours, birds, and flowers to your garden at home, along with some new chores like raking leaves and preparing your water feature for the winter. An important thing to remember about your water feature is that you can't just leave it all winter, unless you happen to live in a very warm climate all year long.

If you have a concrete or any type of stone fountain, the best advice for the cold winter months is to empty the fountain out completely and bring it indoors before the first winter frost. Simply emptying the fountain may not be enough, as stone tends to expand and contract with varying temperatures. This could cause the fountain to crack, especially if there is still water in it. Adding antifreeze to your fountain may seem like a quick fix, but that is dangerous to pets and wildlife.

If the fountain is too big or you simply don't have room for it inside, then still protect it by emptying it out, removing all pumps and hoses, and putting a cover over it. You might also want to check it from time to time to ensure no water has leaked into it.

If you follow these basic instructions, you can be sure your fountain will be in good shape when it's time to use it again, and you'll get years of enjoyment out of your outdoor water feature.

There is just nothing like trying to get Christmas decorations up at the last minute and find that you can't find what you wanted, so why not prepare for Christmas by buying your festive lights earlier. The ideal time to purchase Christmas lighting of course would be right at the end of the season or even as soon Christmas is over. We can't always do that but we can get started early for best selection.

Christmas is just not Christmas anymore without the christmas lights that we expect to see everywhere we go during the season. I know that I like to go around the neighbourhood and town to see the lights that everyone else have up on their homes but I also like to have a pretty tree inside my home.

If I want to have the best looking tree we have ever seen I need to make sure to purchase the lights before they are all gone and that means shopping early. I know what it is like to put off buying the decorations for another time or waiting for the price to go down. I usually don't get the lights I was hoping to find and wind up wishing I had gone ahead and bought when I saw them the first time. Christmas should not be a time for disappointment.

British winters can be bitterly cold, and your body won't be the only thing feeling the temperature drop. Your outdoor water features will be at stake, and you must take important steps to protect your expensive investments. Of course, it isn't always necessary to shut down your water features for winter, as they often compliment a snowy backyard like no other. However, if your water features are habitat to fish, you will want to invest in a pond de-icer. Pond de-icers not only keep your fish warm and alive, but also ensure your water does not freeze.

Remember, most pond fish won't be able to digest their food past 12.8 degrees Celsius. If you live in an area that experiences hard freezes, you should definitely consider moving your water features indoors. If this is too much trouble, you have the option of draining your water features and storing them somewhere such as your garage or shed. Of course, some things are just too large and bulky to manoeuvre inside a home, so if you have no other options and are concerned your water will experience a hard freeze, you should drain the water from your fountain, ensuring the pipes do not freeze. If you feel it's necessary, purchase a large, durable blanket to protect your investment or better still a fountain water protection cover from the harsh weather.

People think about pest control usually after they have a problem, but the best solution is to implement a pest control plan to keep bugs and mice out of the home or garden before finding out that they have a problem.

The benefits of using pest control procedures inside the home are obvious. Putting down a barrier of insecticide outside the home and around the baseboards keeps many kinds of harmful insects from entering the home. Similar logic applies to the garden, but it is not possible to keep bugs outside of an outdoor garden entirely. Implementing a plan for the garden can keep away harmful pests. Planting marigolds around the edges keeps many leaf-eating insects away from an outside garden.

The second part of preventing unwanted creatures from getting into your plants is finding a way to keep unwanted mammals out. A fence placed around the outside of the garden is a good start, but it will not be an effective rabbit, mice, and ground hog deterrent unless it extends at least a foot underground to deter most burrowing animals. Other devices to consider are pest repeller plugs which repell rodents and insects from your home but at the same time being safe for your cat and dog

Using pest control ultimately saves a person money, and if he or she grows vegetables outside their home in a small patch, it protects the final crop.

One of the critical aspects of lake management is to ensure that the lake has a proper amount of oxygenation. Oxygen is vital in promoting the healthy growth of beneficial organisms and to retard the growth of detrimental organisms. Oxygenation promotes the growth of aerobic bacteria, which clean up the bottom of the lake by eating the sludge which forms at the bottom of most lakes. Optimal oxygen levels also promote the growth of larger lake inhabitants like fish and arthropods. Many harmful organisms, such as anaerobic bacteria and harmful algae thrive in an oxygen depleted environment and overgrowth of these organisms can cause the lake to become overgrown and become foul smelling.

The best and easiest way to increase oxygenation in a lake is through an aeration mechanism. The simplest, yet a very effective way to aerate a lake is to provide a stream of air bubbles to flow through the lake water. Any simple compressor that provides airflow through an air hose will deliver a large amount of aeration to your lake. Installing a fountain or waterfall feature will also increase the oxygen content of the water in the lake, while providing visual and auditory stimuli for the public to enjoy.

Adding a pre-formed pond to you garden will not only give your backyard an added sense of serenity, but it will also attract various forms of wildlife. Squirrels, frogs, salamanders, and birds will soon begin to frequent the area, allowing you to watch the beauties of nature from only feet away. Choosing an ideal location for your future pond is a must. If possible, choose a location that receives close to 5 or 6 hours of sunlight per day. Do not place your pond directly under a tree, because cleaning a pond full of leaves and other debris can become very unfavourable. If you prefer a more natural look for your pond, consider edging the pond with rocks collected from a creek bed. Adding fish to your pond can be a nice finishing touch however, it can also be a deterrent to the frogs, salamanders, and other animals who wish to take a swim. Depending on the type of wildlife you wish to encourage to your pond and garden, you may wish to add stones and water lilies within the pond to aid smaller animals, and if a build-up of algae occurs, snails will do the cleaning job for you.

The heat of summer is on its way and the sun is powering your solar fountain in your garden. How do you care for a solar fountain? Does it require any maintenance? Do you have a care guide to looking after a solar fountain or you completely on your own with its care?

When caring for a solar fountain remember to check the solar battery that the sun charges. Sometimes the solar battery inside a solar fountain can have a loose connection and the battery will not store the suns energy which in turn will make your solar fountain run sluggish or even stop working. Make sure you clear away any leaf debris from the solar charging area so the battery can keep charging during the day so it runs at night also.

With a care guide you can follow simple instructions from most yard solar decorations. Remember to have your solar fountains where it can get at least six to eight hours of sunlight so it work through the night also on the reserve solar battery. Checking the hose connections is a wise idea to make sure that nothing has clogged the water from flowing through the circulation pump.

You’ve create the perfect garden, a wonderfully serene environment to relax in after a hard day’s work and entertain friends. You’ve now come down to the finishing touch, the garden lighting and don’t want to go to the expense and hassle of hiring an electrical contractor. There is an alternative and a way to Install Your Garden Lights Easily and efficiently, you can use the power of the sun with solar lighting. Solar lighting is free to run and the quickest and easiest way by far to light up the beauty of your garden.

I know you’re thinking that we don’t get enough sun in the UK for solar lighting however many of today’s solar products include rechargeable batteries, enhancing performance for even the most inconsistent UK weather conditions.

You can choose from a wide array of styles like traditional hanging lanterns, which can hang on your home to light a flowerbox. Adding spot lighting is as simple as driving a short plastic stake into the ground and letting the power of the sun do its thing. Some UK companies offer the ultimate in lighting ease with simple decorative and portable glass lamps and string of lights that can be placed on a table or strewn on a wall. With today’s battery enhanced solar lighting, adding garden lighting couldn’t be easier.