June 2010 Newsletter Header
Greetings!
I think the 2 most common misconceptions with water features is that they are 1) high maintenance and 2) are expensive to install and maintain. I'll admit, it is true that some ponds and waterfalls can be fairly expensive, especially if you are having them professionally installed. Additionally, a poorly designed/built water feature can be a maintenance nightmare.
 
However, this month I want to talk about affordable low maintenance options that are readily available for even those on the tightest of budgets. In fact If you have a small vegetable garden I will show you ways to get a beautiful water feature that will cost you less money and time to install and will be lower maintenance than your garden is. Think I'm pulling your leg? Then just read on...
Patio Ponds 
Aquabowl
Aquabowl
Let's start with Patio Ponds or as we like to refer to them "Aquabowls". These are really simple little ecosystems that will provide hours of enjoyment for adults and kids alike. Even though we have a fairly elaborate pond at our house we absolutely love our Aquabowl (and spend ~2 minutes a week on maintenance adding water). THEY EVEN HAVE FISH & FROGS!!..That's correct these neat little bowls consist of Plants, Fish and Water to create a micro working ecosystem with crystal clear water and absolutely NO STRING ALGAE!! I kid you not I literally only add 5 gallons of water to mine per week and at a total cost of less than $200 you simply cannot beat the value of this wonderful little ecosystem.
Details
Aquabowl Cost: $159.98
Plants Cost: ~$30.00
Installation/Maintenance Time:15 Minutes/2 Minutes per week
Small Fountains
Small Fountain Kit ($140)
Small Fountain Kit
There are literally hundreds of different options out there for incorporating a fountain feature into your yard. We have just got in a new complete fountain kit that comes in 4 different styles and costs only $140. Click Here to see a short video on how simple these fountains are to install . If you are looking for something a little larger then you will want to consider our aquabasin kit with a decorative fountain installed on top of it. These systems take a little longer to install. To put it into perspective, just last weekend Austin (my 7 year old son) and I installed a small bubbling urn on an aquabasin in just under 2 hours start to finish. Check out some of the photos we took below and Click Here to view an aquabasin installation video.
Austin's Aquabasin Installation 1
Austin's Aquabasin 2
Austin's Aquabasin 3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Details
Small Aquabasin Cost: $259.98
Fountain Cost: $29.98 and Up
Installation/Maintenance Time: 2 hrs/2 minutes per week
 
There are endless opportunities for adding water to your landscape and outdoor living area. In particular there are several low cost/low maintenance options available for you to enjoy the relaxation that only water can provide you. You can Click Here or visit us at our Pond Store to see some of the many options we have available for you to take home today. Until next month Happy Pondering....
 
Sincerely
 
Jeff Duggins
In This Issue
Garden Center News
Construction News
Hanah's Charity "KOIner"
Austin's Pond Life Lesson
Upcoming Events
 
Join Our Mailing List!
 
Construction Images
Basalt Column
Basalt Column
Campton KY
Campton KY
 
Stone Urn
Stone Urn
Beattyville KY
Beattyville KY
 
Lancaster KY
Lancaster KY
 
Lexington KY
Lexington KY
Garden Center News
 
Fish

A new shipment of fish has arrived and will be available for sale to their new homes on Wednesday, June 23rd.  We have a variety of colorful Premium Small Butterfly Koi and Premium Small Straight Fin Koi.Included in this shipment was a Premium Large Straight Fin Koi, and they are beautiful.  Some of their colors include yellow, orange and black, orange and white, and white and black. We finally have Trapdoor Snails available these unique snails will help eat algae off the rocks in your pond.    

 
Plant of the Month- Thalia (Hardy Canna) 
 
 

The plant of the month is the Thalia or Hardy Water Canna.  This plant gets tall with narrow leaves and has a purple bloom and will bloom all summer.

The plant special for June and July is an 8" White Lily.  The regular price is $29.99 on sale for $19.99.  Limited Quantity so hurry in to get yours today.

 
 
 
 
Sincerely
Rachel Duggins
Construction News..
The past month has been one of the most enjoying months of construction I can remember in a long time. We have gotten to travel to eastern KY to see some of the finest of Mother Nature's beauty, we have added ponds to some of our existing customers landscape and have  been challenged by a more formal installation that flows through a retaining wall. All I can say is we LOVE OUR JOB and the best is still to come. What a year this is shaping up to be for our construction team...
 
Morgan Horse Institute (Virtual)
Morgan Horse Institute
I am very proud to announce that H2O Designs has been selected by the Morgan Horse Institute to install several natural meandering streams and waterfalls at their new international headquarters currently being constructed at the Kentucky Horse Park. The Morgan Horse Instituet Pavilion is being built as a focal attraction for the upcoming World Equestrian Games.
 
 

"We were impressed with Jeff's responsiveness and knowledge. He was flexible and creative and worked with us to achieve our goals in the most cost effective manner. There were larger firms that we spoke with but none of them seemed to have Jeff and his families creativeness and commitment." Lind Hall - Morgan Horse Institute 

 

The process for designing and being selected for a project of this scale has been very involved and exhausting. We first started working on the project in February of 2010 and have been working dilegently to ensure we did no fall short with any of other customer projects.

 
The project will consist of 2 indoor Pondless waterfalls in the Atrium areas and over 200 feet of meandering streams and waterfalls in the outdoor garden areas.  We will start the project next week (June 21st) and will be working  on the project off and on for the next 8 weeks. If you are interested in following our progress on the project you can become a fan of our facebook page by Clicking Here.
 
We will be working in some small projects during the next 6 weeks as we have time available. However, we will only have a couple of dates available and we are currently booking our fall construction schedule. If you are going to consider utilizing our services this year I encourage you to go ahead and contact us so we can ensure your project can be completed this year.
 
We are very excited to have been selected for this project. Additionally, we are dedicated to making sure our existing customer's needs are met. I appreciate your patience in advance over the next couple of months.

Hanah's Charity "KOIner"

"Silent Auction"
Don't forget about the Central Kentucky Pond Tour 2010 and the Silent Auction. Proceeds from the Silent Auction are also sent to Camp Horsin Around.  Any business or individual interested in donating an item or gift certificate please contact the store at 888-297-6637.  
 
"Lucky Ducks"
The Lucky Duck program is going well. We  have earned $33.00 for the children of Camp Horsin' Around.  I am so excited because I love being able to help others.  The Lucky Ducks will be in the display pond in the store between now and the pond tour in July.  Don't forget to stop in and pick your Lucky Duck.
 
Game Rules:
Purchase a chance to pick a Duck for $2.00. There will be 36 ducks floating in our indoor pond. Each Duck will have an amount in KOIn's written on the bottom. 
 
  • 30 - 1 KOIn Ducks
  • 4 - 5 KOIn Ducks
  • 1 - 10 KOIn Duck
  • 1 - 25 KOIn Duck
                                                       Hanah Duggins

Austin's Pond Life Lesson

What kind of lizard like animal is living in your pond?

File:Smooth newt.jpegAustin's Answer: "Newts"
 
Austin is correct about the name of the animal in our pond however it is not a lizard.  A newt is an amphibian and is classified in the same family as salamanders.  There are many types of newts some are strictly aquatic while others live on land and in the water.   To learn more about newts click here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newt.  Send us any interesting facts that you may learn about newts to though email info@h2odesignsinc.com or on our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Lancaster-KY/H2O-Designs/264298608321