Product Description

Product Description
The popularity of water features is growing and so is the demand for good, easy-to-understand information on them. Unlike larger garden ponds, container garden ponds are more widely available in a kit form. The Super Simple Guide to Container Garden Ponds allows potential owners of these water features to educate and prepare themselves properly by providing complete and accurate information on:

---Combating algae problems---Preventing mosquitos---Homemade units---Informal and formal features---Wall-mounted features---Suitable plant and fish species---Using bamboo in your features ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Thanks for trying, t.f.h.!
This book is done in a very entertaining and informal style, complete with cartoons and fun "sidebar" graphics (such as camera film, sticky notes, notebook paper, and paper clips). It's an introduction to the hobby, so readers shouldn't feel overwhelmed by the information; it introduces just some of the fish species and plant species hobbyists will run into. The price is quite reasonable, and this title is easily found (mine was purchased from a pet store).

However, there are some not-so-good points to the book that potential purchasers might want to weigh:

1) As the other reviewer mentioned, the book needs far more photos than it has--especially photos of the plants and fish.

2) The editing done on this book is probably its greatest downfall. One example is that commas are improperly placed, or not used when they need to be (an obvious instance is the second to last sentence in the author bio., viewable by clicking to see the back cover on Amazon). Unfortunately, editing errors are rampant within the book. At times, I had to read sentences multiple times before I understood them.

3) Some of the vocabulary is confusing and not adequately explained. For example, the author considers weathered whiskey barrel ponds to be formal, and he calls porcelain ponds and waterfalls informal.

I hope t.f.h. will release an updated and expanded edition. The topic is fascinating, and not enough stellar books exist on the subject yet. This one could definitely be one of them if some improvements were made in editing and content (expanded instructions and photos). I do want to say to t.f.h., thanks for trying!

Not enough info
I found this book frustrating. It gives great information about setting the pond up, but not much information about keeping a pond functioning properly. For example, it lists one solution for fixing aphid problems, but doesn't show pictures of what they look like so you have to guess if an aphid infestion is really what you have. I was disappointed it had so little information about dealing with plant and fish problems that inevitably come up after awhile. I also think it would have been helpful to have added more pictures of the plants it suggests using in container ponds. I guess I would say this book really is a super simple guide to container garden ponds, but unfortunately it doesn't cover or simplify many of the complexities that arise after it is completed. ... Read more

Product Description
By bringing what H. Marc Cathey, president of the American Horticultural Society, has called "a new wave of naturalism" to America, James van Sweden and his partner, Wolfgang Oehme, have revolutionized American landscape design. Van Sweden and Oehme are internationally renowned for their public projects and private commissions: responsible for the Hudson River Park in New York City and several gardens of the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., they have landscaped the properties of celebrity clients such as Oprah Winfrey and David Brinkley, as well as many more modest gardens for private homeowners.

According to van Sweden, no garden is too small to benefit from the soothing, sensuous qualities of water. Gardening with Water, the first in a new series of books to be written by van Sweden, covers everything from birdbaths and small fountains to waterfalls, swimming pools, lily pools, and water edges. Writing for professional and nonprofessional gardeners alike, van Sweden begins with an overview of influences -- from Frank Lloyd Wright's "Falling Water" to palace gardens in Kyoto, Japan -- before surveying close to a hundred of his own projects to illustrate how he and Wolfgang Oehme introduce water into their garden designs. Several chapters are devoted to practical questions: what to plant, where to plant, whom to contact, and how to build. Clear instructions are supplemented with numerous illustrations, extensive diagrams, and a detailed glossary of trees, plants, and flowers (including Oehme and van Sweden's trademark grasses). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Pond Book
Informative, easy to read, This is my "bible" when dealing with my pond and aquariums.

"User friendly", how-to manual for aspiring pond builders
Robyn's Pond Book by pond development expert Robyn Rhudy is a practical, "user friendly", how-to manual for aspiring pond builders and pond keepers regardless of their previous skill and experience levels. From providing a home for types of frogs, to regulating bacteria, nitrogen, water additives, to the raising of fish, Robyn's Pond Book covers just about everything there is to know about gracing one's yard with an aquatic special touch. If you are contemplating any kind of pond to enhance the appearance of a garden, backyard or landscape, or as a personal and rewarding hobby, then begin your planning and effort by reading Robyn's Pond Book!

just the right information you need.
Robyn has done a great job.It is text book style writing with enough information to keep you going.The book is not a fancy pictorial manifesto.It is simply put in words what is needed for anyone to start a pond project or maintain one.Good info on aquatic life.However, she could do better on cover design and color, but just the cosmetics.I recomend it to anyone who is interested in ponds and fish.She has many internet links listed in her booksite where you can find many pictures and information.Robyn's Pond Book is an
excellent reference book. ... Read more

Product Description
Riotte explains siting a pond, maintaining water quality, troubleshooting, stocking with fish, plus plenty of old-time fishing lore and scrumptious fresh fish recipes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Ponds
This was an excellent book for information on our pond.We will find it and the references inside very useful!

Not Very Helpful
I found that this book would have been helpful for pond plants or if I needed a recipe to cook something I had raised in a pond, but I wanted information on keeping fish in a pond.Specifically I was interested in catfish, and silly me, I 'judged the book by its cover.'This book provides very little helpful infomation on raising pond fish as a hobby.If you're interested in spending several thousand dollars to commercially raise fish such as trout, then this book has something to offer.Otherwise don't bother.

A poetic account of country living.
This is a beautifully written book!It contains many whimsical anecdotes on the process of building a pond, also much practical information on plants, fish, frogs, turtles, and ducks.Having just built a pond, I found this book just the ticket.It doesn't have much about the actual digging and construction--that information is best obtained from your local Soil and Water Conservation Office.But I highly recommend this book if you're building a "real" pond (not one of those plastic pool things).

Bad Rodale Books revisited.Where's the meat?
Mostly touchy feely pointless antedotes.At most one page of useful information. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
One of the most comprehensive books on marketing. Any landscaper can read this book & start getting all the customers he can handle. Everything you need to know about cost effective marketing & advertising in the water gardening industry. From the trenches to the boardroom; How to advertise, promote and grow your water gardening business. Plus a bonus CD "Create A Paradise", your own backyard retreat. Plus. brochure "20 Pond Myths Exposed". ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Prairie Garden, published by Manitoba Prairie Garden Committee on January 1, 2002. The length of the article is 1330 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Pond water quality. (Gardening In General).
Author: Ken Land
Publication: Prairie Garden (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 2002
Publisher: Manitoba Prairie Garden Committee
Page: 85(4)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Product Description
Books in Barron's profusely illustrated Water Gardens Handbooks series show amateur gardeners how to build the water garden of their dreams. Handsome designs and ambitious projects can be carried out with surprising ease by gardeners who follow the author's clear, step-by-step, photo-illustrated instructions. Details include suggestions and advice for stocking water gardens with fish and embellishing them with aquatic and waterside plants. Emphasis is placed on low-maintenance water features that offer maximum beauty with a minimum of fuss.This handbook's projects for beautifying a backyard water garden include paving and edging the pond perimeter, using different colored pebbles for decorative purposes, adding ornamental statues, constructing bridges and decks, and more. Approximately 175 full-color photos. ... Read more

Product Description
This text provides ideas on how to transform your garden with the use of various types of water features. Both formal and informal ponds and pools have been included, as well as streams, bog gardens, wild gardens, and a range of waterfalls, fountains, bridges and stepping stones. This book features: a comprehensive introductory section for the pre-planning stage of each project; a variety of projects with step-by-step diagrams and instructions; a list of materials needed for each project; and a section on how to enhance your construction with special lighting. ... Read more

Product Description
A complete guide to one of the hottest gardening trends.

This guide shows water gardeners how to build a pond, add fish and aquatic plants, and keep it all healthy. The book offers:

• Beautiful photographic examples of water gardens
• Easy-to-follow illustrated instructions for setting up a pond
• Tips on selecting fish and plants, plus pictures of common species
• Advice on keeping the pond clean and attractive

Customer Reviews (5)

Healthy home for our Koi
Great information about keeping a healthy pond for our two beautiful Koi.Lots of information and beautiful pictures.

Excellent Overview of Pond Care
This gem of a book contains all the information a new pond owner needs to maintain a healthy, happy water feature.It's very readable, well-organized, and succinct.

A New Zealnd Pond
I used Interpet Products available from my local garden centreand I decided to check out some of the books advertised with their products and so ordered the "Your Healthy Garden Pond".
I have read this book and found it a very useful reference,easy to read and with good illustrations. I would recommend it to anyone with a small garden pond.

Must Read for a Healthy Pond
This is a very good book for those who already have a pond. It does not get into the design and construction of ponds, but concentrates on maintaining the pond you have. This is exactly what I was looking for. I did not need to design or construct a pond; however, I did need the knowledge to maintain an existing pond, and this book fit the bill perfectly.

It covers:
* Water quality - the nitrogen cycle and what tests you need to perform
* Filtration - types of filters, filter media, cleaning filters
* Algae and plants - types of plants and how to grow them, how to contain algae
* Fish - the different types of fish suitable for a pond and how to diagnose problems
* Pond cleaning - when and how to clean the pond
* Seasonal maintenance. - fall and winter preparations

Also this book is illustrated with many full color pictures so you can see clearly what the author is talking about.

Super explanations
Borrowed this book from the library but have to buy it. It's a good reference and does great explanations. Real helpful for a novice like me.
... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Great beginner's pond book
I was looking to create an ecologically sustained system in the pond I built in my backyard and this book was a great help about diverse topics.Pleasant to read, and great picture ideas too!

Wow one stop pond book
First off let me just say this book is absolutely amazing! If you are building a pond for fish, turtles, birds, and other wildlife I'd recommend getting this before you buy any of those other pricey versions. Even if you're simply building a garden pond for plants theres still much you could learn from this, such as how to rid your plants of pests without harming wildlife (even how to keep small fish and plants safely together to reduce mosquito populations). It starts from the building of the pond being very in depth with the different types of construction methods, what to put on the bottom of your pond, how to design and everything. Then it moves on to selection of species to choose from with detailed profiles of most of them, and then the types of ponds best suited for them (well it only goes to goldfish pond and Koi pond but it explains a bit how different types of fish would survive in such ponds). And it explains various filtration methods and maintenance to keep fish healthy and the pond well maintained, it also has another section soley devoted to fish illness, treatment, and such. Then it goes on to describe different turtle species the types of ponds they require and their health issues. Lastly it talks about wildlife and how they are attracted to/effected by ponds, and our importance in preserving certain species such as frogs that come visit, and how to prevent predators from decimating fish populations. All and all very informative book, beautiful pictures, it dosent get too much better then this really unless you want something that's SUPER detailed about each individual animal (ie Koi, turtles, etc..), and want pictures step by step detailing pond construction and maintenance. My only fault with it was that it didn't give a more deatiled listing of plants to choose, and it didn't overly detailwhich individual plants were best for what. However that overlooked strongly recommended if I could give it more stars I would.

EARTH, WATER AND BEAUTY.
Creating a water garden is yet another way to attune oneself with nature.This water garden concept is actually apond.Author Helen Nash provides clear basic instructions onhow to both build and maintain a pondwith livefish,turtles or birds. You no longer have to envy the tranquility of Jane and Henry Fonda's"On Golden Pond" shimmering screen images.You may be inspired to begin building your own pond as soon as you finish reading this book. Ms. Nash has crafted a fine book for those who appreciate the beauty of nature.Leave the tension in the workplace. Come home to the peace and tranquility of a living pond in your very own backyard. ... Read more

Product Description
This guide seeks to give inspiration on what to do with ponds as a productive source of interest. It is backed by practical guidance on how to create the right environments for different projects and how to manage a pond to the greatest all-round advantage - not just for commercial gain, but also for ecological reasons or simply for the pleasure of having a garden pond. The topics covered include pond history - monastery stewponds and village duckponds - followed by instructions on how to create ponds and the basic equipment needed. For the more ambitious, ponds as a feature in parks, nature centres and sporting venues are described. The book is designed to be used by those wishing to create both large and small ponds. There are ideas on the types of plants suitable both for ornamental purposes and for selling. The natural wildlife is discussed with suggestions on how waterfowl can be encouraged, together with ideas on income and marketing techniques. Fish farming with freshwater fish such as trout, carp, shellfish, crayfish, ornamentals and angling stock is also covered.Valerie Porter is also the author of "The Complete Book of Ferrets", "Keeping a Cow" and "The Guinness Book of Dogs". ... Read more

Product Description
Volumes in this new Tankmasters series present aquarium enthusiasts with the facts they need to create beautiful and healthful environments for fish and other aquatic life. Dazzling color photographs with detailed, informative captions and step-by-step instructions will quickly turn beginners into capable aquarium hobbyists, while providing advice and ideas that will inspire experienced fish keepers to add variety and interest to their tanks and ponds. Handsomely laid-out pages present essential information at a glance. An outdoor fishpond adds real beauty to any yard setting. This book covers all important aspects of pond maintenance: construction, choosing the right fish and aquatic plants, and maintaining the pond through all seasons of the year. More than 200 color photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

All aspects of a garden pond are covered
Profusely illustrated throughout with spectacular, full color photography, Garden Ponds author John Coburn provides a complete and "user friendly" reference guide to developing and improving a pond as part of the overall home-based landscape. All aspects of a garden pond are covered, including vegetation, fish, preparations and planning, siting and design, construction, pond surroundings, and general maintenance. Garden Ponds is a complete and highly recommended resource for creating a unique and beautiful pond that would be a year-round delight, enhancing any property, and admired by any visitor. ... Read more

Product Description
Formal gardens are always designed with an eye to symmetry and proportion. This book instructs on how to achieve these qualities while also integrating water features into the garden. These handsome, instructively illustrated "how-to" books cover a wide array of imaginative water garden concepts. Exceptionally attractive designs and ambitious projects can be carried out with surprising ease by gardeners who follow the author's clear, step-by-step, photo-illustrated instructions. Details include suggestions for stocking water gardens with fish and embellishing them with aquatic and waterside plants. These practical books emphasize low-maintenance water features that offer maximum beauty with a minimum of fuss. Approximately 175 full-color photos. ... Read more

Product Description
Ponds and water gardens make up one of the fastestgrowing sectors of the aquatic hobby industry. "The Pond Owner'sProblem Solver" provides clear solutions to 450 of the most commonproblems in creating and maintaining ponds and water gardens. Thisbook is divided into four parts: the main types of ponds; individualfish species; aquatic plant species; and advice on care, maintenance,and legal aspects of animal and plant species for the wildlifepond. For pond and water garden enthusiasts.

John Dawes, a freelance author, editor, and aquatic consultant, is aninternationally renowned authority on fish, aquaria, and outdoorfishkeeping. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The pond owner's problem solver
This book was in excellent condition.It came in a timely manner. Thaank you. I would recomend this company.

Great book for pond owners
Published first in 1998 in England and reprinted and published by Tetra Press in 2002, Dawes talks about all the newest pond gadgets except the new bead filtration. Bead filters are so new and so very expensive that normally the backyard pond owner need not be concerned with them unless the pond is a koi pond used for raising show quality koi. Dawes offers up good pond set up ideas, different styles of ponds, where to site a pond and how to design one. He talks about the pros and cons of lined ponds, concrete and performed ponds.

Fish and feeding

Fish, from food and feeding to breeding and health management are discussed along with the differences between Koi and goldfish. He advocates fish feeding, but cautiously. I have some problems with goldfish feeding, so do not agree with the book when it comes to fish feeding. Other fish, temperate, cold water and tropical are looked at by Dawes. . He shows pictures of sick fish and even microscopic photos of parasites. He gives the fish owner a great way to diagnose sick fish.

Pond plants

Pond plants are discussed at length, from the importance of them to how they reproduce and how to propagate them. He talks about planting your pond, how to keep your plants healthy. Shallow water marginals are differentiated from deep water marginals, surface plants from floating plants from submerged plants or oxygenators.

Water quality and pond maintenance

In his final chapters he discusses water quality and how to manage it. He also talks about winter, spring, summer and fall maintenance.

Questions/answers and sidebars

During each chapter, he answers specific questions about the subject covered in that chapter. He also has sidebars throughout the chapters covering advantages and disadvantages of his ideas. These sidebars alone are worth the cost of the book.

I do disagree with Dawes on his building instructions. I have always suggested and built all ponds at least 4" above the surrounding grade so run off from roofs, roads and nearby lawns could not get in the pond water. His directions from the performed pond to the liner pond involve making sure the ground is level all round before installing rocks. This makes the pond entirely too difficult to build and takes much too long. If the pond is built up, the liner is folded over the first course of rocks and a second course is placed on top, no leveling is necessary and no run off can happen.

I really like his ideas about using a bog garden as a filter, but do not like the idea of making shelves in the pond. If shelves are built, more surface is exposed to the sun and algae are more likely to grow.

Dawe's book has pictures of ponds that will make you want one by next week. His photos will give you great ideas about your own pond design.

It is obviously a book written by someone who has extensive knowledge of ponds, fish, aquatic plants and pond mananagement.

With all Dawes' pictures, illustrations, specific advantages/disadvantages of each method, his book certainly is worthy of being in every pond owner's library.

I give it four fish

out of a possible five, only because I disagree with his building methods. You may prefer building this way.

This would make a great gift for the pond owner in your life.

big help
this book was very useful for giving me tips regarding how to stock a pond with fish and keep the water healthy and clean. ... Read more

Product Description
A very detailed and beautifully photograghed handbook deplicting aspects of all types of gardening, starting from the very basics to the more advanced technices. ... Read more