Is there anything better to do on a summer night than relax in a hammock after a kong day, with the sound of a waterfall in the background? Hardly. The sound of flowing water is probably one of the most calming things out there.
A waterfall in your backyard can benefit you in more ways than just helping you relax. They produce a noise-masking effect, which means that if you live somewhere in the city, the noises coming from it will not be as intense as they would usually be, since you have the sounds of a waterfall to distract your attention. What’s more, if you have a pond, it will help in aerating water, so that your pond aerator can take at least a short break.
However, as beneficial as it is, building a waterfall in your backyard can be quite challenging – especially if you don’t have a clue what you are supposed to do. After all, there are so many things that need to be done – starting with the design. This is exactly what we will be focusing on in this article.
Since we know how hard it can be to design a waterfall, we decided to share with you some of the tips that will make this task at least slightly easier. Want to find out more? All you have to do is keep reading then.
Tip #1: Always Consider the Height
One of the first things you should decide on when it comes to adding a waterfall to your backyard is what kind of effect you wish to create with it. Do you want it to be the dominant feature, or do you want to place it somewhere in a corner where it wouldn’t bring much attention? The purpose behind the waterfall will help in determining its height.
Another thing that you should look at is your backyard’s aesthetic – after all, a tall waterfall will not suit every landscape. Sometimes it’s better to opt for a smaller one.
Tip #2: Implement Multiple Elements
When designing a waterfall, it’s essential to make it unique – just the way you want it. Don’t hesitate to get creative by adding stones in different colors and dimensions – it’s a perfect way of adding some character to it. If you want to give your landscape a natural feel, you can use ground covering plants or shrubs.
Remember – the waterfall is in your backyard, not anyone else’s, so if you want to add something you particularly like, do it. There’s nothing wrong with adding multiple elements – quite the contrary, it is highly recommended.
Tip #3: Keep It in Scale with the Pond
This is one of the common mistakes people make when designing a waterfall. Your waterfall should be at an appropriate scale to your pond – otherwise, it will have a negative effect on the esthetics of your backyard, and it will make it look less tasteful.
If you know any landscape professionals, you can discuss it with them, as they will be able to tell you exactly what you should do, and what scale will be appropriate.
Tip #4: Increase the Height for Natural Ambience
If the running water’s sound is one of the main reasons you are adding a waterfall, or if you just want to enjoy it as much as possible, you should consider making your waterfall higher. This will emphasize the natural ambiance of running water throughout your backyard.
The higher your waterfall is, the more audible running water sounds will be produced.
Tip #5: Prevent Other Plants from Taking Over the Waterfall
If you want to prevent other plants from taking over space where you decided the waterfall will be, consider extending the pond liner by more or less 12 inches, and covering it with gravel.
Extending the liner beyond the edge will also help you later on when the waterfall is already installed, as it will give you more control over which plants will grow alongside it.
The Bottom Line
Having a waterfall installed in your backyard has many advantages – not only the sound of running water makes the evenings spent there more enjoyable, but it also helps with the aeration of your pond and makes the noises coming from the city less noticeable. We also cannot forget about the esthetic aspect – adding a waterfall is a great way of completing your backyard.
However, designing a waterfall is not an easy task – especially if you are doing it for the first time, and you have no clue what should be done first, etc. After all, not everyone has to have knowledge about those things – not everyone is a landscape professional.
We hope that our tips were at least slightly helpful and made the task somewhat easier for you. Good luck!