The Pond Lovers is a sustainable farmer's ode to the watery microcosms all around us, from the half-acre farm pond to the suburban garden pool. Readers looking for hands-on experience will find plenty of pond-keeping dos and don'ts. Gene Logsdon's higher purpose, however, is to proclaim the natural, spiritual, and recreational benefits of ponds. Fed by spring or filled by rainfall, the ponds closest to Logsdon's heart need minimal human interference in the way of machinery or chemicals. Those we read about in ""The Pond Lovers"" mostly belong to Logsdon's friends and neighbors, an extraordinarily resourceful group of people. For them, a pond is many things - from a place to fish, swim, or skate to an oasis for local plants, insects, and animals. Each purpose, Logsdon shows us, has its place in a thoughtful, self-sufficient life. Drawn from many and varied lifetimes spent around ponds, ""The Pond Lovers"" brims with lessons and opportunities for good work and good play - for backyard naturalists, do-it-yourselfers, and armchair gardeners.

Whether it's fishing by moonlight, planting iris and weeping willows, catching crawfish, or supervising an unruly crowd of ducks, Louise Riotte knows how to get the most fun out of a family pond. She shares her experiences in this entertaining book, presented with her trademark mix of facts, anecdotes, lore, and lively humor. Catfish Ponds & Lily Pads includes how the Riotte family built a pond; tips on fish farming with catfish, bass, or trout; creating a backyard pool for frogs and water lilies; waterside plants - beneficial and harmful; and recipes, stories, and fascinating asides.

Water will bring a garden miraculously to life, drawing the eye more than any other feature. When still, its shimmering reflections create a peaceful mood, while moving water animates the garden scene and delights with its mesmerizing sounds. In this definitive guide, Alan shows you how to design and make a water feature to suit any size and style of garden, from a large wildlife pond, stream or rill to the tiniest pebble or wall fountain. * Easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step diagrams * A-Z directory of Alan's recommended pond and waterside plants * Guide to choosing and caring for fish * Key tips on encouraging wildlife to your pond * Season-by-season guide to pond maintenance

Water running over rocks is a welcome element in any outdoor space, having the power to soothe or excite. Whether you want a small feature or a series of waterfalls, this practical guide provides a host of inspirational ideas for using water and rock in your garden. Step-by-step photographic sequences and cross-sectional artworks show how to build a range of features, including a Rock-edged Pool, a Wildlife Pool and free-standing features such as a Cobble Fountain or a Brimming Urn. Useful sections look at introducing fish into a pond, while a helpful chapter on care and maintenance explains how to keep your water and rock garden in top condition.