Decor for the Outdoors - Building Water features

How To Design And Build A Water Feature
with Mark Snow and Bill Meakin

Learn the secrets of building a professional quality water feature. Whether you're a landscape professional or a homeowner, this 2 hr. DVD covers the essentials and much more.

How to Design & Build a Water Feature
Starring: Bill Meakin, Mark Snow

Learn the secrets of building a professional quality water feature. Whether you're a landscape professional or a homeowner, this 2 hr. DVD covers the essentials and much more.

Aquascape - Waterfall & Stream Construction
Aquascape Designs

Tips from the pros along with video instructions
Use as a reference guide as you build your own Stream & Waterfall
Create a waterfall mid-stream and properly design & place a stream in proportion to the surroundings

The Complete Guide To Disappearing Waterfalls DVD

This step by step DVD is designed for both the Do-It-Yourselfer and Professional Installer. This video is packed with tips and insightful information which guarantees you'll build it like a Pro.

ARTIFICIAL ROCK DVDS

How to Make Artificial Rocks and Boulders

This title is one of the two foundation DVD's in the Artificial Rockmaking Series; Artificial Rocks details the construction of Solid Artificial Rock combining materials for fake rocks in recycled rubble infill, concrete and a final mortar surface.

Making Artificial Rock Waterfalls
with J. Erik Kinkade

This video is a step-by-step, complete process of constructing a medium sized artificial rock project for a backyard waterfall using the standard frame construction method.

In this part of the website I will go through a procedure that I use when I am about to start a new project
I have always been the type of person that gives anything a go so what I will try to do here is to run through my thought process of how I tackle a new project.
There are basically four steps that I work through to achieve what I am after:

Step 1: Getting ideas
            It's pretty hard creating something if you don't know what you want
Step 2: Learn from experts
            Tips and tricks from experts are invaluable, this is what they do for a living
Step 3: Source materials
             It really pays to source what you need before you start building as it gives you an idea
         of how much its going to cost
Step 4: Create
            Once you have all the above you are ready to go

Or
Step 5: Hire a pro
             If this sounds like too much hassle, it might be time to bring in the professionals

Imitation is the sincerest of flattery

First of all it's always easier to create something if you already have a idea or a picture of what you want. Once you have found a water feature you like, you can either copy it or use it as a starting point to go on from.
Below is a list of different sources that I use for inspiration.

1.The Internet

There is an absolute wealth of information and ideas out there, you just have to know where to look.
Below is a selection of links to free sites that have 1000's of images you can use for inspiration

Or if you would rather not spend hours digging through these sites you could always check out this subscription site

Over 4,000 landscaping photos covering topics such as:
- Fountains & Ponds
- Patios & Decks
- Swimming Pools
- Rocks & Stones, and more...

2. Magazines

3. Your local library

Full of good free information

Massive selection of magazines covering a multitude of topics

This is where huge savings and time can be made. If you're lucky enough to have a friend who's an expert in pond and waterfall construction pick his brain for all the ideas you can think of or better yet get him to do it for you.
For the majority of people out there who don't have this luxury there are other avenues we can follow.

1. Purchase a dvd showing you how to do it

Personally, I have always been more of a visual person so if I need to learn something new I tend to learn better from DVD's or videos. Below is a list of available DVD's on the Internet focussing on constructing waterfalls and ponds.

2. Good technical books

One advantage a book has over a DVD is that it can cover far more topics in more detail especially on the technical side of things compared to the more hands on approach of a DVD.

Hopefully you're at a stage where you now know what you want and feel confident enough to make your own water feature.
Even if you still feel a bit unsure just remember you're doing this for your own place and not a paying client.
So if you make a mistake it really doesn't matter.

Some of products you may require
-pond liners
-pumps
-pond filters
-hosing
-artificial rocks
-fish feeders
-pond care equipment
-plants