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HOME OCTOBER 2020 4 Tips to enhance your backyard with water features (StatePoint) — Planning to enhance your backyard? Experts say that the sights and sounds of water features make them one of the most impactful additions to consider when doing a project next spring. "Water features not only increase visual interest, but the bubbling sounds add a sense of calm to any outdoor space," says landscape designer, Doug Scott, of Redeem Your Ground in Atlanta. "They also attract birds, butterflies and more, literally bring- ing life into your backyard." So, how do you select the right water fea- ture for your yard? According to Scott, here's what to consider: ■ Fountains: With a wide range of shapes, sizes and options to complement any space or budget, fountains are one of the most common types of water features for homeowners across the country. They're also relatively easy to install and maintain. "Fountains create the sights and sounds my clients are looking for and they do it in a way that accommodates their potential space and budget constraints," says Scott. ■ Water gardens and fishponds: Water gardens are gardens of plants that live in and around water. Best when incorporated into a natural setting, they enable home- owners to add such vibrant plants as water lettuce, water lilies, horse tail, blue iris and sweet flag to their landscapes. Much like water gardens, fishponds are best incorpo- rated into a natural setting, and contain many of the same plants. "The added bonus of fishponds is that you'll be able to enjoy the beauty of koi and goldfish, while providing them a home," says Scott. Scott cautions that when compared to other water features, fishponds do add expense and necessary periodic mainte- nance. Beyond stocking the pond, you'll need a pump to aerate and circulate the water, as well as vegetation to create oxygen and provide a natural food source. Addi- tionally, you must provide adequate protec- tion for the fish from the land and air pred- ators that will likely pay your pond a visit. On the plus side, fishponds will attract an abundance of non-predatory wildlife to your yard. "Although adding a pond or water garden is more involved than just buying a foun- tain and plugging it in, the life it'll bring to your family outdoors is limitless," Scott says. ■ Waterfalls and streams: Waterfalls and streams create a meandering setting that helps you connect one space of your yard to another. Functionally, they also help manage draining. However, due to the engi- neering required for successful installation, Scott highly recommends most homeown- ers work with a professional on such a proj- ect. This minimizes the chances of things going wrong. To learn more, check out the new Exmark Original video, "Done-In-A-Weekend Pro- jects, Go With the Flow," in which Scott dis- cusses the various benefits, maintenance needs and other considerations of each water feature type. The episode can be found by visiting Exmark.com/Backyard. Exmark's Backyard Life is part of a unique multimedia destination focused on helping homeowners make the most of their back- yard. While visiting the site, you can also access other Exmark Original Series, including "Prime Cuts," "Done-In-A-Week- end Extreme Projects" and "Dream Yards." Installing a water feature in your yard is an effective way to add vitality and beauty to the space. However, it's important to understand the long-term maintenance requirements of your specific project. Statepoint The sight and sound of water can give your backyard a big boost.

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