This is the time of year when many of us relax and spend more time indoors. The holidays are over, and it is a good time to kick back and watch some sports, read a book or two, or rent some movies that you have been meaning to see. Throw another log on the fire and let Old Man Winter howl outside. Who are we kidding?  This is Georgia, and winter is just something we read about or watch on the evening news.

Garden ponds have become so popular that most people, if they have not given in to the urge to install one in the yard, know someone who has, and have spent some time near one. It is difficult not to be captivated by the sight, sound and smell of water in a backyard setting, and every year more and more people are adding a water feature to the outdoor environment of their homes. In addition to the pleasure it brings to the homeowner, a well-designed and landscaped garden pond increases the desirability of the home and adds considerably to the resale value.

If this is the year that you take the plunge and become one of the pond people, now is the time to start. A good beginning is a visit to a water garden supply store or a home improvement store to buy some books on the subject and start gathering ideas. Many of these books will make installing a pond seem like a simple project that you can undertake yourself. Think again. It may be that installing a pond is something you can handle, but for most people it is a more complicated project than they want to tackle. Even if you have a working knowledge of plumbing, hydraulics, water dynamics, electricity, and landscaping, as well as an affinity for heavy digging, it is a good idea to discuss the project with a pro before you start. People who have built hundreds of ponds know the answers to questions most of us haven’t thought of yet. Like that hole you are going to dig. It contains a lot more dirt than you might think it does. What do you plan to do with it?

People who build ponds for a living are often asked to take over projects begun by homeowners who find they have bitten off more than they can chew. Other business comes from people who have built their own ponds and love them, and now want more.  Whether it is a waterfall, a cascade, a brook that runs into the pond, a bigger pond or a group of ponds that connect to one another, they know it is time to call a professional.

When it comes to remodeling a kitchen, adding a bathroom or a spa, or building a deck, most people have a professional builder do the job and rely on their knowledge and experience to do the job right. A garden pond is something that you want to be proud of, as well as enjoy, and is something that will add to the value of your home. Why not let an expert build it and know that it will do all that.

David Robinson at Atlanta Water Gardens, Craig Luna of Luna’s Lillies and The Pond Doc in Alpharetta are three good choices.

Atlanta Water Gardens         404-235-0739

Luna’s Lillies                           770-991-3112

The Pond Doc                        770-663-6325