Is it Too Late to Add a Pond to Your Backyard This Summer in Middleton and Waunakee, WI?

Is it too late to add a pond to your backyard this summer in Middleton and Waunakee, WI? Summer fun isn’t over, and even the cooler days of fall can be a wonderful time to enjoy a backyard pond. Here are some ideas for ponds and why they make wonderful additions to your outdoor living space.

Related:3 Water Features to Pair With Your Pond in Cottage Grove and Middleton WI Areas

A Koi Pond

What’s more relaxing than watching colorful koi swimming around your pond? A koi pond will need a filtration system to keep a healthy amount of oxygen in the water, but otherwise koi ponds are relatively low-maintenance. Koi are cold-hardy fish. With a little planning and the right pond, koi can survive the Wisconsin winter! The pond can contain gorgeous aquatic plants, and the shores can become a botanical garden of sorts with a variety of reeds, grasses, aquatic and shoreline plants, rocks and boulders, and even a pebble beach or paver patio where you can sit and enjoy watching your fish swim.

A Waterfall and Pond

A waterfall is a stunning focal point in any setting. It can be designed to fit into a small corner of the backyard, making it a versatile addition to your space. The design possibilities are nearly endless: water can cascade over boulders, over stone ledges, or any combination of natural or manmade obstacles that give each waterfall a completely unique look and sound; and the size and shape of the pond will further add to the ambience. You could line the waterfall and pond with plants for a lush, exotic look. Or, use linear shapes for a simple minimalist pond that exudes serenity. Be sure to add comfortable seating nearby so you can relax to the incredibly soothing white noise of your waterfall.

A Backyard Creek

A long artificial creek that meanders through the landscape and empties into a pond (which houses a recirculating pump to return water to the top of the water feature) is always fun for kids of all ages. Add natural elements such as boulders and plants, a stepping stone path that lets you walk along the creek, a fun feature like a bridge and a comfortable bench beside the pond to complete the look. This is another design that can beautify an awkward or otherwise unused part of the landscape such as a side yard.

A Modern Zen Pond

A backyard pond can be naturalistic or completely modern, as you prefer. A pond also doesn’t have to be round, or kidney shaped, or even square. It can be L-shaped, U-shaped, or whatever you like. “Floating” stepping stones could allow you to cross the pond in the center and get a completely different perspective on what’s happening in the pond (this is particularly wonderful if you have koi, or tortoises in your pond). A series of small decks give you the perfect vantage point to enjoy the water. Add visual interest and dimension with a mix of flat aquatic plants such as lily pads, and taller reeds and grasses.

A Pond with a Bubbler

All ponds need pumps to circulate the water and keep it from getting stagnant. One fun way to do this is to install a bubbler in the center of the pond. Some bubblers only shoot water a few inches above the pond’s surface while others create a more dramatic show by shooting water vertically several feet into the air. Placing an LED light fixture at the bubbler makes for a great light show after dark.

Related: Incorporating Wildlife-Friendly Water Features In Your Pond in Waunakee and Sun Prairie WI Areas