Natural Swimming Pools: Inspiration For Harmony With Nature (Schiffer Design Book)

Natural Swimming Pools: Inspiration For Harmony With Nature (Schiffer Design Book)
Average customer rating:
Natural Swimming Pools: Inspiration For Harmony With Nature (Schiffer Design Book)
Michael Littlewood
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
General | Building Types & Styles | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Outdoor & Recreational Areas | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Swimming Pools | How-to & Home Improvements | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Earth Ponds Sourcebook: The Pond Owner's Manual and Resource Guide, Second Edition

Landscaping Earth Ponds: The Complete Guide

The Ponder's Bible

Earth Ponds: The Country Pond Maker's Guide to Building, Maintenance and Restoration

Poolscaping: Gardening and Landscaping Around Your Swimming Pool and Spa

ASIN: 0764321838

Book Description

Natural swimming pools rely on the correct balance of plants and microorganisms to clean and purify the water. They are a safe place for children to play and birds to drink, and are a dramatic example of ecological design, combining the natural and man-made worlds while creating beauty. These pools offer enjoyment not only in the warm months, but during winter, too, when they can be used for ice skating and other activities. Often the focal point of a garden, natural swimming pools blend into their environments, flowing into the surroundings with plants and rocks.They reflect the changing seasons and they enhance the environment naturally. They are easy and less costly to maintain than chemical pools, providing significant savings in water. Chlorine and other common pool chemicals are hazardous to human health and are not used. This book is a necessary resource for anyone interested in having a natural swimming pool and shows how a natural swimming pool system works, as well as the environmental, health, and safety benefits it offers. Drawings, diagrams, and charts cover planning, design, biology, materials, construction, planting, and maintenance. Over 300 beautiful color pictures feature projects that will inspire you to have your own natural water garden where you can swim in harmony with nature at any time.

The Master Book of the Water Garden: The Ultimate Guide to the Design and Maintenance of the Water Garden

Average customer rating:

Didn't live up to the reviews
Excellent reference
The first pond book you need to read
Got/want a water feature? Get this book!

The Master Book of the Water Garden: The Ultimate Guide to the Design and Maintenance of the Water Garden
Phillip Swindells
Manufacturer: Bulfinch
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Home & Garden | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

All About Building Waterfalls, Ponds, and Streams (Ortho's All About Gardening)
The Ponder's Bible
How to Build Ponds and Waterfalls: The Complete Guide
The Complete Guide to Water Gardens, Ponds & Fountains (Complete Guide)
Smart Guide: Ponds & Fountains: Step-by-Step Projects (Smart Guide)

ASIN: 0821227963

Book Description

Water has featured prominently in garden designs for thousands of years. Its appeal to the sensesits visually compelling light and movement and soothing splashing and bubbling soundsstill attracts the imagination of gardeners worldwide. With a wealth of practical ideas and tips on water gardening, this indispensable book helps minimize the problems faced in building and maintaining a water garden, and maximizes the pleasure a well-designed water garden can give. Including design optionsfor every aesthetic, space, and budgetthis guide is not only practical but inspirational.

Customer Reviews:

Didn't live up to the reviews.......2007-08-14

This book is beautiful to look at but not really very helpful at the nuts and bolts. Its design advice is mostly in generalities, and though its building advice is pretty good, I've found more detailed information elsewhere. The discussion of plants is useful up to a point because it has lots of nice pictures, but it, too, is short on practical specifics. For example, it doesn't define "hardy" by referring to USDA hardiness zones, nor does it explain just exactly how to plant. It will say something like 'Depth: moist soil to 6",' but what does that MEAN? For step-by-step advice on building a pond, I'd recommend the Ortho book All About Garden Pools and Fountains. I wish I could recommend a better book on the plant side of water gardening, but I haven't found it yet!

Excellent reference.......2007-06-27

We recently "inherited" a small pond when we moved to a new home and this has been a great resource to maintain the pond

The first pond book you need to read.......2006-08-27

This author describes the historical aspect of ponds, the current trends of ponds and the types of plants and animals found in each type of pond. He lists problems and solutions. Very insightful. I like the ID stuff at the end listing each important plants and animals found in a pond. (He doesn't have turtles though).

Got/want a water feature? Get this book!.......2002-10-16

When my husband & I bought a house recently, it came complete with a man-made pond, stream, and waterfall.

I borrowed every book about ponds and water features from the library. They didn't own The Master Book of the Water Garden. Too bad. This is the most complete book on the subject I've come across.

To begin with, it has wonderful pictures and makes a great coffee table book, even if you're not looking for water garden information.

There are two indices: one that's general and one that's specifically for plants. Throughout the book are "Problem Solving" asides. Sometimes entire pages are dedicated to answering questions about fish, plant depth, water quality, and much more.

But I thought its strength was the amount of very specific information on the subjects it covers. Other books dealt with just ponds, or waterfalls, or wet and dry streams. This book covers all that as well as fountains, water meadows, bogs, and containers.

Discussions include bridges, decking, walkways, lighting, filters, propagating plants, & the various kinds of liners. Cleaning and maintaining the water feature is included, as well as seasonal upkeep. Designing your water garden, picking plants, choosing a location, & deciding on size are just a few of the subjects covered. And fish subjects aren't limited to just koi and goldfish.

I was most interested in how to drain and repair a leaking pond. This has been difficult information to find. Swindells even tells you what to do with the fish while you're making repairs or changes to the pond.

My only criticism is that the plant index uses the Latin names for the plants. Though it does include common names, in many instances, if you're not sure what you're looking for, a specific plant may be a bit difficult to find. I must admit that there are full color pictures of the plants in the book, though my favorite water plant, horsetails, isn't included.

This book is already well thumbed and the pages wrinkled from where they've been wet. In other words, it's useful and used.

Country Living Gardener Water Features for Every Garden (Country Living Gardener)
Average customer rating:
Country Living Gardener Water Features for Every Garden (Country Living Gardener)
Helen Nash
Manufacturer: Hearst Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1588162060

Swimming Pools And Spas
Average customer rating:

Provides a much wider-ranging set of discussions than competing titles with narrower focuses

Swimming Pools And Spas
Curtis Rist , and Vicki Webster
Manufacturer: Sunset Publishing Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Outdoor & Recreational Areas | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Pool & Spa Planner (Better Homes & Gardens)

Pools & Spas: Ideas for Planning, Designing, and Landscaping

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The New American Swimming Pool: Innovations in Design and Construction: 40 Case Studies (New American)

ASIN: 0376016108

Book Description

Having a swimming pool or spa right in your own backyard is the ultimate for many homeowners-a place for exercise, family recreation, festive gatherings, relaxation. This book guides you through the process of making a pool or spa a reality, from navigating all the available choices and selecting and working with a contractor to installing landscaping and lighting. You'll also find detailed advice on safety, maintenance, and upkeep.

Customer Reviews:

Provides a much wider-ranging set of discussions than competing titles with narrower focuses .......2005-08-05

Swimming Pools And Spas, which covers building, maintaining and landscaping a pool or spa. From how to choose among different pool or spa options to understanding its mechanical systems and using landscaping to integrate it into a backyard, by including both under one cover, Swimming Pools And Spas provides a much wider-ranging set of discussions than competing titles with narrower focuses - and enable homeowners to contrast and choose between a pool or spa.

Pool Idea Book (Tauton's Idea Book Series)

Average customer rating:

Zillions of Pictures
More pictures than you can shake a stick at!
Excellent Buy

Pool Idea Book (Tauton's Idea Book Series)
Lee Anne White
Manufacturer: Taunton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Pools & Spas: Ideas for Planning, Designing, and Landscaping
Poolscaping: Gardening and Landscaping Around Your Swimming Pool and Spa
Pool & Spa Planner (Better Homes & Gardens)
Swimming Pools And Spas
Backyard Idea Book: Outdoor Kitchens Fireplaces Sheds & Storage Play Spaces Pools & Spa (Idea Books)

ASIN: 1561587648
Release Date: 2006-03-07

Book Description

No longer just rectangular blue holes surrounded by concrete aprons, today’s pools come in myriad shapes and sizes–from square wading pools, long lap pools, round spas, and tear-drop shaped jet pools to elaborate naturalistic pools complete with boulders, vanishing edges, waterfalls, and lush landscaping. They are often accompanied by outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, patios for entertaining, and pool houses.

Pool Idea Book features more than 300 full color photographs showcasing the latest in pool and spa design, offers creative design ideas for patios and decks, landscaping, and outbuildings, and addresses practical issues such as screening, security, storage, and safety. Dozens of practical sidebars help homeowners design the ultimate pool for their lifestyle and budget. Chapters on pool design, pool surrounds, landscaping, outdoor rooms and structures, and encloses are included.

Topics covered include:
Decking
Patios
In and Above-ground Pools
Safety
Lighting
Landscaping
Pool Houses

Customer Reviews:

Zillions of Pictures.......2007-06-08

This is a great book for pool ideas. It contains ideas for just about every kind of pool and there are lots (350, at least) of photographs. This is just what I was looking for since we are planning to put a pool in our yard and it's a blank slate. This books is great for those without a lot of imagination, like me.

More pictures than you can shake a stick at!.......2006-05-02

I looked through lots of pool idea books in my local book store and none of them had as many pictures as this book. There are a few pages of text in each chapter, but the bulk of this book is 4 (or so) pictures per page which is exactly what I wanted in an idea book. I recommend highly.

Excellent Buy.......2004-06-15

This book has a great variety of pool designs from contemporary to rustic designs. Fabulous book with alot of great pictures.

Average customer rating:

A book full of ideas.

Water Gardens (Sunset Series)
Susan Lang , and T. Jeff Williams
Manufacturer: Leisure Arts
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Sunset Garden Pools: Fountains & Waterfalls
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All About Building Waterfalls, Ponds, and Streams (Ortho's All About Gardening)

ASIN: 0376038497

Amazon.com

It's easy to have a weak spot for Sunset's how-to books: they are lavishly illustrated with photos and great illustrations, always have clear instructions and plans, and are always indexed well. Water Gardens is no exception, although it might be even more visually stunning than Sunset's other books. From plans and ideas for water features in the tiniest urban courtyard or deck, to bog ponds, to the care of aquatic plants and fish, to fountains, waterfalls, and still-water refection pools--you name it, it's in here. The book even has a section on historic and beautiful water gardens through the centuries, and will really get your imagination "pumped."

Book Description

Just add water—its gentle presence soothes the stresses of daily living. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the garden. This new edition of a Sunset best-seller provides a stunning photo gallery to inspire readers with all kinds of flowing water elements. Includes detailed instructions for six water garden projects such as a wall fountain, a waterfall, and a stream, plus an encyclopedia of plants for in and around the pool and detailed information on selecting and caring for pond fish. From planning and designing a water feature to basic construction techniques and installing wiring and lights, this lushly photographed volume covers everything to create and maintain the inviting sights and sounds of water gardens.

Customer Reviews:

A book full of ideas........1999-10-04

A book with a lot of ideas that lets you dream of what can be done, and specially with a lot of schematics on what to do. Great pictures, a real bargain for what it gives.

Average customer rating:

Water Gardens (Better Homes & Gardens)
Better Homes and Gardens Books
Manufacturer: Better Homes and Gardens
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Water Gardens (Sunset Series)
Complete Guide to Water Gardens: Ponds, Fountains, Waterfalls, Streams
Sunset Garden Pools: Fountains & Waterfalls
The Master Book of the Water Garden: The Ultimate Guide to the Design and Maintenance of the Water Garden
Creating Water Gardens

ASIN: 0696211769

Book Description

Soothing, cooling water features are hot property with homeowners.

Inspiring: a variety of styles, shapes, and sizes of fountains, pools, ponds, streams, waterfalls.

Hardworking: how to create and maintain water gardens.

Practical: how to choose appropriate plants, stock fish, and enjoy water gardens year-round.

The Master Book of the Water Garden: The Ultimate Guide to the Design and Maintenance of the Water Garden With More Than 190 Plant Profiles
Average customer rating:

ONE OF THE BEST

Great coverage for building ponds and water gardens

COMPLETE!

The Master Book of the Water Garden: The Ultimate Guide to the Design and Maintenance of the Water Garden With More Than 190 Plant Profiles
Philip Swindells
Manufacturer: Voyageur Press (MN)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Flowers | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Landscape | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Techniques | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Encyclopedia of Water Garden Plants

ASIN: 1564651886

Book Description

Water has featured prominently in garden designs for thousands of years, and its appeal to the senses still attracts the imagination of gardeners worldwide. Ponds and other water features need careful planning, and though there are other books with wonderful ideas, many of them lack the very practical information that water gardeners need to know.

"The Master Book of the Water Garden" is the most comprehensive book on the subject. It includes detailed step-by-step illustrated instructions on all aspects of water garden construction and maintenance--from building a raised pond to propagating marginal plants. Philip Swindells also provides advice on choosing a style based on the reader's budget, time constraints, available site, and proposed function.

Customer Reviews:

ONE OF THE BEST.......2004-06-26

This book has all the information needed to build and maintain a pond. There is everything you need to know from A-Z including maintaince, plants, fish, etc. A must have.

Great coverage for building ponds and water gardens.......2001-07-19

This is an excellent book for building water gardens, ponds, pools and streams. The subject is covered thoroughly with detailed descriptions about installing fountains, lighting, islands, and landscaping. There are lots of lovely photos that will let your imagination grow as to the kinds of ponds you can design and build. You are only limited by the size of your yard. There is a large section about adding different types of water plants to specific areas of the pond. Plus, there is good coverage about adding fish, attracting wildlife, and performing seasonal maintenance. Construction techniques vary from simple to more complex designs, including waterfalls and ripple effects. Another book, Nash's The Complete Pond Builder, seems to have slightly better construction detail and also more examples of smaller ponds. However, Swindells' book is much more comprehensive and it contains a lot more information about maintenance, fish, and plants.

COMPLETE!.......2000-04-08

This Book has GREAT content. Not only does it have clear, and easy to understand diagrams of plants, but it supplied me with information to build my own pond. Now, my pond is filled with koi that rest underneath some waterlilies . The water hyacinths, (which I did not know about until reading this book) , smell soooo wonderful. My pond would never be complete without this book. I say you buy it, because it is worth it's price!

Water Gardens: Simple Steps to Building Garden Pools & Fountains (Waterproof Books)

Average customer rating:

Wonderful reference for the Do It Yourselfer

Water Gardens: Simple Steps to Building Garden Pools & Fountains (Waterproof Books)
Miracle-Gro
Manufacturer: Miracle-Gro
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound

Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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Roses: Easy-Care Roses to Beautify Your Garden (Miracle-Gro)

ASIN: 0696225697
Release Date: 2006-01-10

Book Description

Miracle-Gro experts deliver must-have information for creating innovative and attractive water gardens—all packed into a handy, practically indestructible format.

Easy-to-understand, generously illustrated instructions simplify the process of planning, installing, and maintaining a variety of water gardens.

Troubleshooting tips and proven techniques help ensure that every water garden project is a success.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful reference for the Do It Yourselfer.......2006-04-23

Produced by MiracleGro, the gardener's friend, this how-to book on building your own water garden and backyard pond or installing your own home fountain is fabulous! Despite the book's small size, nothing is missed, from design tips (with beautifully photographed illustrations) to selecting equipment and installation.

Learn how to build your own backyard oasis, select and add water plants, select and care for pond fish in easy, user-friendly terms. Pond/stream/waterfall construction using both preformed ponds and liners is covered. Another great feature is that the book is waterproof and can be taken outdoors to use as a reference while you work. The pages are heavy and won't blow in the wind. It's been invaluable to us as we build our new pond and patio. Highly recommend it as anyone, no matter how inexperienced, can learn to do the job.

Tranquility Fountains: Projects for a Serene Lifestyle

Average customer rating:

Don't Buy a Fountain... Make One!
I haven't tried following any of the patterns yet, but......

Tranquility Fountains: Projects for a Serene Lifestyle
Mickey Baskett
Manufacturer: Sterling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Create Your Own Tabletop Fountains
Simple Fountains
Quick and Easy Container Water Gardens: Simple-To-Make Water Features and Fountains for Indoor and Outdoor Gardens
Simple Fountains for Indoors & Outdoors: 20 Step-By-Step Projects
Tabletop Fountains (Water Garden Handbooks)

ASIN: 0806980966

Book Description

Recreate the soothing sounds of a natural brook or pool by building almost any fountain you can imagine. Add plants, fog, candles, light, or scent for sensuous special effects. “It’s no wonder that tabletop fountains have become a must-have....29 attractive projects, plus all the know-how you’ll need to tackle your own original designs.”—Country Accents.

Customer Reviews:

Don't Buy a Fountain... Make One!.......2002-02-03

If you've been thinking about purchasing one of the many table-top fountains that are now available on the market, check out this book first! It features many beautiful, original designs that you are not likely to find in stores. Instructions are detailed and systematic and the finished projects are lovely. After seeing these fountains you're likely to want to make your own instead!

The book starts with a description of materials used to construct fountains with general information about where these materials can be obtained. I was a little disappointed that the book did not have a "resource" section that included mail order and internet companies that could provide the construction materials needed.

The second section of the book describes general construction instructions that can be applied to just about any fountain you are considering. This is really good information, because you can use it to construct a fountain of your own design... rather than using a specific design from the book. Since many objects , both unusual or very ordinary can be used in fountain construction, you may never look at simple household items again without considering their potential use as a fountain piece.

The next section does however, contain many step by step designs for some truly wonderful fountains. My favorite is a fountain composed of a cup on it's side with water spilling out over cascading saucers. Also unusual is one called "Tile Towers", which is composed of gorgeous marble tiles, and "Concrete Tower", which is composed of a custom made concrete piece. Very unusual is a fountain called "Gooseneck Lamp Fountain" which is, as it states... made from a gooseneck lamp! There are also more traditional styles that use copper tubing, slate or river rocks.

I also liked the way the author used a lot of plants in his fountains. I've never really seen plants used in store bought fountains and they really do add a wonderful touch to the overall design.

I think these fountains would make wonderful gifts, as you can design them specifically to match the decor style and color scheme of the recipients home or office. Well worth reading, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys crafting, gardening or even meditating. I agree with the subtitle... these amazing fountains truly are "Projects for a Serene Lifestyle".

I haven't tried following any of the patterns yet, but.............2002-01-12

this book didn't disappoint me. For craft project books I look first to large, lush photographs to inspire me, and then to easy-to-understand instructions on materials and how to assemble. This book has it all. These projects could all be reproduced fairly exactly by a reader, but it's up to you to tweak and make it your own. I especially love the fountain that uses building material foam to sculpt a little mini-volcano with areas for tealights and plants. Recommended!

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