10 Jan 2017
Pond lighting can make any boring pond very appealing at night, Highland NY

Pond Lighting

Having pond lighting install adds many advantages to your backyard retreat. Pond lighting not only can make a place more visible but there are many ways you have pond lighting usage, by illuminating the perfect spot you can make that a special place to spend it with your love one. READ MORE

10 Jan 2017
A Small decorative tree tier waterfall is perfect for main entrance, New Paltz NY

Decorative

If you are planning on landscaping your backyard or any part of your property and have a small area to work with and would still like to incorporate a small water feature in the landscape, it can be possible with one of our many varieties. READ MORE

10 Jan 2017
A pondless waterfall by a sitting area in this home New Paltz NY

Pondless

Pondless waterfalls are becoming more popular and are being incorporated in landscaping, but in reality water features have been part of human history. Having a pondless waterfall is undoubtedly the most amazing featured to have in your landscape not only it will beautify that special area in your home but it will became the main focal point to gather with family and friends to enjoy for hours, while giving you the relaxation much need it after a long day at work. Pondless waterfalls are and essential component in healing, being near a water feature can stimulate our minds helping to be more creative at the same time it will relax any anxiety do to over stress from everyday work environment.

 

 

Pondless® Waterfalls are simply a re-circulating waterfall and/or stream without the presence of a pond. You can enjoy the sight and sound of running water without the maintenance of a pond.

The waterfall is undoubtedly the most beautiful and favored feature in a water garden. If space is lacking in your yard or you have safety concerns with a pond, go Pondless®! The name basically explains it all. It’s a waterfall and stream, without the pond. So why would you want a waterfall without a pond? The truth is that a Pondless® Waterfall isn’t for everyone, but it can be a great alternative for someone who isn’t quite sure if a pond is right for their family.

 

10 Jan 2017
Large bowls fountain are perfect for any landscape, Highland NY

Fountainscapes

Fountains are the perfect way to add a splash of water to your landscape! Typically found in kits, they come in a variety of styles and sizes and can be installed in just a couple of hours. If you love the sound of water in the garden, a fountain is your perfect beginning.

 

10 Jan 2017
Building streams in any waterfalls giving it a natural look, Highland NY

STREAMS

Streams are simple to build, but can easily become very difficult if a few rules aren’t followed. When designing streams, the main thing to look for is elevation changes that can work for or against you. Elevations working for you will have the slope coming towards the customer’s viewing area (such as a patio or deck).

Good slopes can make stream design much easier. All you need is to carve the hillside to create a natural area for a water course. Be sure the stream traverses across the slope to increase the viewing area and exposure, and to create a more natural looking streambed. You’ll want to make it look as though the water has eroded away the soil, exposing the stone underneath.

Stream Construction Techniques
When excavating a streambed into an existing slope of hill, simply mark the stream edge and dig down about 6” to 8” deep. This allows enough room to accommodate the rock, gravel, and water with a couple of inches to spare. Those couple of spare inches will allow for some settling and compaction of the soil to keep the stream leak-free. You can also dig the stream deeper, if desired.

The stream should twist and turn as it makes its way towards the pond. The turns will increase the sounds, and will also increase the number of viewing areas. The more places it can be seen, the more it’ll be enjoyed.

Infinite Variations with Limited Stones
You can create many different variations in stream style with just a few types of rocks by using various stream construction methods. A series of cascading falls that transition into wide sheets of water will create a variety of sounds and sights to be enjoyed by onlookers. Be sure to show your clients pictures of the different effects you’re able to create and let them choose which style they prefer.

As you prepare the waterfall and stream for rock placement, be sure to dig areas deeper where large boulders will rest. A good rule of thumb is to place a large rock at each turn in the stream. It doesn’t have to be a huge rock, but it should be larger than any of the other rocks used in the project. In addition, place larger stones, or a series of stones, at elevation changes to replicate the erosion process.

Along the way, you should mentally count the number of large stones that you’ll need to make sure you’ll have enough. These larger rocks take center stage, and all the other rocks will balance and support the entire composition.

10 Jan 2017
Large koi pond are perfect for having large koi fish to swim in, Poughkeepsie NY

KOI PONDS

POND FISH
Koi … the jewels of the water garden! Have you thought about making them a part of your watery paradise? Everyone who has koi preaches of the joy they have while feeding them, watching them swim through caves and waterfalls, and even naming them. You’ll find koi of all different shapes and sizes named accordingly. There’s “Goldie” – everyone’s favorite yellow fish; and “Spot” – the fish with a precarious spot on the front of its forehead; the names can go on, and on, and on!

Low-Maintenance Pets
Owner Handbook – Fish – Koi GroupOne of the other things that is so wonderful about welcoming a fishy friend into your pond is that they are pretty low maintenance. You won’t see a koi scratching at the door to go for a walk, or choosing your prized sofa for a litter box. Nope. Fish live, breath, and eat in the exact same place … your pond. They truly are one of the most low-maintenance pets you can have.

When it comes to feeding them, you may notice that there are several different recommendations out there. If your fish are part of a balanced ecosystem, as is the case with the Aquascape system, your best bet is to feed them as much as they will eat in five minutes, being careful not to leave too much food floating at the surface.

Fish can also over-winter in your pond, so you can rest assured that they won’t be in a tub in the middle of the living room as the months get colder. After all, they won’t even pay rent!

More Than Just Koi
Owner Handbook – Fish – White KoiAre there other fish, besides koi, that make great pond-living pets? There most certainly are! That same goldfish that stares at you from the glass at the fish store is a perfect fit for your pond. Goldfish are incredibly resilient and can be a great starter fish for a new pond owner. Best of all, they come in all, shapes, sizes, and colors and if you have a container water garden or preformed pond, they’re a great fit!

Another fish that is sure to find its way into your heart resembles the koi, but is much smaller. It’s called a shubunkin and it’s a kind of single-tailed, long-bodied goldfish that differs from the koi in the fact that it doesn’t have “barbells,” which are whiskers of sorts that are used to root through gravel.

It Doesn’t End There
Owner Handbook – Fish – Butterfly KoiIf you do your homework, you’ll find that there are plenty of fish (many native to your area) that would be perfectly content in your home. From minnows to mosquito fish, to carp and game fish – your options are endless. Fish are a major part of your pond’s ecosystem and they are important to your pond’s overall health, but they also make great pets. And best of all, regardless of what’s happened in your life, they’ll always be there to greet you at the end of a long day. Ain’t that grand!?

09 Jan 2017
Fire place with low voltage lighting illuminating a beautiful pergola, Poughkeepsie NY

FIREPLACE

For the ultimate outdoor entertainment and comfort, an outdoor fireplace will keep you warm and in the mood to enjoy that glass of wine while listening your ideal music or having a conversation with friends and guests, also will extend your season outdoors providing the ideal climate when temperatures start to drop, we can create a custom feature or install a modular fireplace system depending on access and layout.

09 Jan 2017
Outdoor kitchen are great addition to any home for extra entertaining, Upstate NY

OUTDOOR KITCHEN

An outdoor kitchen is taking entertaining and family gathering to a whole different level, eating and cooking while enjoying nature is the new trend, families gathering sharing a glass of wine and memories while kids play outdoors. A well designed Outdoor Kitchen will add value to any home with endless possibilities for design and amenities to integrate to fit all needs and desires when it comes to building you ideal outdoor kitchen.

09 Jan 2017
A curve natural stone retaining wall with blue stone, Stormville NY

NATURAL STONE

For a unique look and feel and a product that never goes out of style natural stone is and has been the solution for centuries, from modern, contemporary or rustic look all can be accomplished using mother nature materials, colors, textures, shapes are unlimited, and can be incorporated or used along other modern materials. Natural stone can be used to blend into nature, preserve a historic look while lasting for centuries.

09 Jan 2017
A Cambridge retaining wall with large steps, Milton NY

RETAINING WALLS

A retaining wall serves a structure that holds soil on one side and is free standing on the other. They help to accommodate changes in grade in a landscape with uneven topography. Retaining walls allow cuts to a slope to provide more usable space or extend the area. Engineer retaining walls can are a key to retain massive areas, like a commercial parking lot, structures and buildings, create a level area for sports lawn or driveway too, small walls can also serve as sitting walls if properly planned.