Find Big Joy In Your Own Little Pond
I always wanted to live where I had ready access to a nearby creek, spring, or pond. So far, it hasn’t happened. Instead, I’ve had to create my own water features, on my own property. Why do I do it? A few hundred gallons of water, some plastic tubs and liners, and a few water plants ― what’s the point? For me, it's simply this ― my waterscape soothes me. I am lulled ― mesmerized, really ― by the gurgling of miniature rapids and waterfalls, melodious water sounds that at least partially drown out the constant stream of urban annoyances ― droning lawnmowers, barking dogs, the roar of traffic.
But there is more. I love to observe my miniature aquatic ecosystem going about its business, seemingly oblivious to the encroaching urban landscape. To make the water feature more ecologically authentic, I try to use native plants like arrowroot, sedges, horsetails, lotus, and cardinal flower. I am proud of my stand of Thalia, a wetland plant native to the Missouri Bootheel with small violet flowers hugging a corkscrew stalk.
And then there are the critters. I especially like the dragonflies and damselflies that come back year after year: iridescent blue ebony lacewings and massive, bomber-like green darners perching on the tips of my sedges and spike rushes. Obviously, these creatures are drawn to my pond and plants. But unbeknownst to them, they are also repaying me for my efforts, honoring my landscaping choices simply by visiting.
With the hard work done (building the water feature), I can sit back and relax and enjoy a brief respite from the harassing cares of city life. But the work is never truly done. I have a filter system, and pumps, which must be maintained. As water plants grow and expand, they must be separated and repotted. The overabundance goes into the compost pile, so their mucky organic remains are never wasted.
My time spent on maintaining the pond is also not wasted. The satisfaction, and joy, to be derived are the biggest rewards. I love showing off my water features to friends, and encouraging others to build their own mini-aquatic ecosystems. If you choose to build your own pond, consider this advice ― start small. And before starting, check out easily accessible instructional resources, like those at thisoldhouse.com. For a great guide on Missouri natives, refer to Water Plants for Missouri Ponds from the Missouri Department of Conservation (and on Amazon Books). Before long, you can find big joy in your own little pond.
But there is more. I love to observe my miniature aquatic ecosystem going about its business, seemingly oblivious to the encroaching urban landscape. To make the water feature more ecologically authentic, I try to use native plants like arrowroot, sedges, horsetails, lotus, and cardinal flower. I am proud of my stand of Thalia, a wetland plant native to the Missouri Bootheel with small violet flowers hugging a corkscrew stalk.
And then there are the critters. I especially like the dragonflies and damselflies that come back year after year: iridescent blue ebony lacewings and massive, bomber-like green darners perching on the tips of my sedges and spike rushes. Obviously, these creatures are drawn to my pond and plants. But unbeknownst to them, they are also repaying me for my efforts, honoring my landscaping choices simply by visiting.
With the hard work done (building the water feature), I can sit back and relax and enjoy a brief respite from the harassing cares of city life. But the work is never truly done. I have a filter system, and pumps, which must be maintained. As water plants grow and expand, they must be separated and repotted. The overabundance goes into the compost pile, so their mucky organic remains are never wasted.
My time spent on maintaining the pond is also not wasted. The satisfaction, and joy, to be derived are the biggest rewards. I love showing off my water features to friends, and encouraging others to build their own mini-aquatic ecosystems. If you choose to build your own pond, consider this advice ― start small. And before starting, check out easily accessible instructional resources, like those at thisoldhouse.com. For a great guide on Missouri natives, refer to Water Plants for Missouri Ponds from the Missouri Department of Conservation (and on Amazon Books). Before long, you can find big joy in your own little pond.