Water Gardens

Given a design problem to solve, we use great creative exercises to deploy a solution. Exploration of new concepts, and with new materials leads to greater understanding of the world, as well as the our ability to show how we feel about it. By learning more about what looks right and mastering materials, we can be more expressive.   

Patricia Allingham Carlson

Designing and creating a model of nature with water, dirt, life and a few supplies.

Water Gardening.

David Carlson Allingham

Our Ponds: A short pictorial history

Current Pond: Deluxe

1999: 3500 Gallons

3 feet deep

Construction

This pond features:

A gravity feed filter. Water from the bottom and skimmed from the surface moves thought the filtration to a sump chamber. Filtered water is pumped to the waterfall. This method requires very little pump maintenance. The filter is cleaned every two years.

In pond marginal planting area, and direct lily and lotus planting area. No shelves for plant pots. The excavated areas are filled with soil after the liner is installed. The soil is then covered with river stone to prevent fish from stirring up the dirt.

 

Details are in production.

This is where we started:

Version 1:  Economy 1986: 125 Gallons

20 in. deep

Water gardening started as an expansion to bonsai and soon took center stage.

The hobby was starting to catch on introduced by a few garden centers.

Construction:

     PVC liner 8 mil

     Stone from a nearby creek.

     Homemade filter made from a 10 gal plastic storage container.

     300 gal/hr pump.

The growth of water garden popularity has helped bring prices down. The water lily in this pond is a hardy variety priced at $45.00 each when this pond started.

Version 3:  Refined 1990   425 Gallons

26 in. deep

The addition and desire for koi warranted a larger pond. Plants in the background are the bonsai collection.

The brick patio expanded because the pond became the favorite place to sit. A knock-down greenhouse enclosed this 12 ft x 18 ft area during the winter for year round enjoyment. The pond was heated by a nearby compost heat exchange running from a low volume pump. Water temperature never fell below 43º F during 0º weather. The trade-off was having to turn the compost if it cooled.

Construction:

     PVC 32 mil liner.

     Stone from a nearby creek.

     Homemade filter made from a 30 gal plastic storage container.

     600 gal/hr pump.

Greenhouse:

    3/4 inch galvanized electrical conduit.

    50 ft wide, 100 ft long, 6 mil clear plastic. The plastic only lasts one season

    Sandbag anchors for perimeter. Very important during windy conditions!