There’s been a new addition to my garden in recent weeks. It gurgles and bubbles pleasantly, adding a relaxing ambiance to my deck. Here’s my review of Laguna’s Deck Pond and some advice for enjoying fountains and other water features in your garden…
Photo copyright Kevin O’Connor
Photo copyright Kevin O'Connor
This story began a few months ago, when I was invited to attend P. Allen Smith’s first Garden2Blog event in late-April. One of the activities involved us working in teams, competing against each other in assemblying and decorating a Laguna fountain in record speed. Well, I was on the winning team of talented folks, which meant we each won our favorite Laguna water feature.
Photo copyright Kevin O'Connor
I selected the deck pond, because I liked the sleek design, which matched my garden deck very well. As you can see above, the faux concrete finish means the pond pieces are lightweight and easy to manage.
Photo copyright Kevin O'Connor
Even a non-mechanical person like me can assemble this attractive fountain quickly, and that’s one of its best features. In the corners, you’ll see two underwater lamps from Laguna, which add romantic lighting in the evenings. When we first assembled the fountain, a lot of cottonwood was flying around in the air, which kept clogging the pump. Fortunately, the pump is easy to clean. Now that the cottonwood is no longer flying, the fountain pump is working well.
Photo copyright Kevin O'Connor
The fountain’s simple lines lend themselves to minimal details. So, we opted not to add water plants. Instead, we placed a potted plant on top, alongside some stone birds and little rocks we’ve collected along the way.
Planted in the background (upper left to right) are a butterfly bush, snow in summer and feverfew under a solar lantern … along with a native elder tree, with heucheras, calendula and lettuces underneath. In the distance is an ‘Apothecary Rose,’ which enjoys a rich heritage and explodes into brilliant pink blossoms once a year.
Let It Flow: Four Fast Tips for Fountains
Location, Location, Location: Don’t make the mistake of sticking your fountain in a faraway corner of your garden. Put it nearby the house, so you can enjoy the sounds through an open window.
Be Kind to Your Pump: Keep water levels high enough so you don’t strain your pump. You may need to clean the pump regularly, especially during high-pollen times.
Fight Mosquitos: Standing water can be a breeding ground for mosquitos. Consider using a biological mosquito control product that kills developing mosquitos in bird baths and fountains, such as this one from Ecological Laboratories. Always follow instructions carefully.
Flow in Right Direction: For good fortune, have your fountain flowing towards your home, not away from it, according to this Feng Shui expert.
Learn More: Laguna Ponds; Trouble-Shooting Water Features
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Very cute. Love their other products, to. Do you have to store this over the winter?
Hi Debbie: In colder climates, I recommend you empty the pond and either cover or move the fountain pieces somewhere protected for longer life. I would also definitely move the pump equipment into a dry, protected space. Good luck with whatever fountain you select, and thanks for stopping by. Teresa
I love the fountain you are sharing . It is hard to believe you can put this together all on your own. It looks fabulous. ENJOY!
Thanks Bren. It really is quite easy to assemble, and the components are lightweight and durable. The Deck Pond is a convenient way to have a nice water feature, without a lot of effort.
Here are winter preparation tips from Damian Hall (who represents Laguna Ponds): “The winter storage preparations for Laguna ornaments and decks ponds are really simple and easy. The units are built to withstand the elements and can be stored outside if needed. Just drain the units and store in such a manner that they will not fill up with water due to snow or ice build up. The deck ponds can also be ‘moved’ inside for the winter so you can enjoy the water feature year round. “
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