Dickerson's
Gardens of Water

New Design Construction

All water gardens are not created equal. Each feature is established by the same freshwater ecosystem but each requires different methods of how it should be set up and maintained. Before a water garden can be designed, these are the factors you must take into consideration: Location, size and depth, waterfall/ stream or fountain, and variety of fish. We offer a consultation service that will help you decide what best fits with your landscape and your desires. Allow us to build your dream water garden.

Reconstruction

Every season we have several water features that we reconstruct do to reasons of poorly build designs, not large enough or was not what the homeowner had in mind. Our nearly 20 years of knowledge in water gardening enables us to transform that eye sore into something wonderful and tranquil. Before you lose hope, allow us the opportunity to show you what we're all about. Call today to schedule a consultation visit to discuss the potential options for your feature.

Before	After		Before	After
Before	After		Before	After

Repairs/ Troubleshooting/ 24 hour Emergency Response

Each water garden repair or problem is a new adventure. With the many ways there are to design and build, there are as many ways to repair and resolve. A water garden is a living and thriving ecosystem. Great care must be taken when dealing with issues and situations regarding these living aquatic worlds. Knowledge is power! For nearly 20 years we have dealt with problems from fish and plant diseases to acts of nature to complete ecosystem meltdowns.

Filtration or No Filtration?

One of the most confusing decisions made when planning a water garden is do I need a filter and which one do I choose? Of the many choices of filters available, most are fancier than functional and more expensive. Many are not provided with enough filter media to do the job required. Natural filtration works great for water gardens with small number of fish. There are specific plants whose job is to filtrate the environment they live in. If you have or are considering a koi pond, then a good filtration system is a must. Koi get very large and tend to be messy and destructive towards specific plants. When dealing with koi or heavy goldfish populations a good filtration system not only helps ensure clean and clear water, but also a healthier environment for those fish.

Water plants play a major roll in establishing a balanced and healthy ecosystem in any feature containing fish or not. Plants consume the same nutrients needed for algae to grow. The more plants the happier your water feature will be.

Pumps/ Filters/ Lighting

There are many choices when it comes to choosing the right pump and/or filter for your feature. Water pumps come in a variety of styles and sizes to suit any need or application. Filters, on the other hand are a bit more confusing due to the extensive variety of styles available.

Lighting for water features come not only in 120V but also 12V for more creative designs. A 12V lighting system allows the ability to adjust any light to the desired illumination for all areas of a water feature. As a proud and dedicated hobbyist in an extremely fast growing industry, we have advanced beyond all the guesswork and confusion.

Contact us for more information regarding what type of hardware is needed for your water feature to flourish.

Fish and plant care

The healthiness of your fish and plants is determined by the environment they live in. Fish unlike plants require more care. All fish release waste into their water from the foods they digest. It is very important not to feed foods that are of low grade or specifically for game fish. Goldfish and Koi need formulated foods that not only promote good healthy and vitality but also encourage great color.

The plants of a water garden are only as healthy and vibrant as the ecosystem they are living in. Water plants play a major roll in the biological balancing of any feature containing fish. Our specialty in water gardening goes beyond design and construction. Knowing and understanding the fish and plant diseases as well as aquatic chemistry makes us the best choice for your water feature to strive.

Consultations

Allow us to educate you with the accurate information needed for your water feature to flourish. Our many years of hands on experience enables us to cover all areas from design and installation to overall maintenance and troubleshooting those never ending problems.

We will answer any questions you may have and make suggestions as to what should be done for your feature to require less maintenance and become more enjoyable.

Not sure as to what design of feature you want or what would best fit your landscape? Give us a call or email us to schedule a time for an educational consultation. We can help you with everything needed for your outdoor aquatic paradise.

Fist time consultation fees will be applied towards any services rendered of $500.00 or more.

Pondless features/ Waterfalls and streams

If your looking for sound and low maintenance, then consider a pondless water feature. No standing water, fish or plants needed. A pondless waterfall can be added to any size landscape or garden. No garden is too small for the relaxing sound of moving water.

Cleanings & Spring startups

All water gardens do not require a complete cleaning each year. Each spring we have many water features that we completely clean and many that just need a little help getting started for the new season. There are three areas to take into consideration when deciding if a feature needs a complete cleaning: excessive organic build up or debris, foul or stagnate water, or over populated fish. A properly set up and maintained water garden does not need to be cleaned annually so long as it is not overstocked with fish.

Before

After

Winterizing

Winterizing involves preparing your water garden for the winter season. A properly winterized feature will make all the difference to its ecosystem come spring when it awakens.

Premier Water Garden Maintenance Program

Our Premier Water Garden Maintenance Program is a service developed to give enthusiasts the maintenance free enjoyment of their water features. Our knowledgable experience and devoted passion for water gardening is what drives us to be the best. Creating a balanced freshwater ecosystem is the key to a successful and healthy water garden.

Services provided: monthly service visits, fish and plant care, pump-filtration servicing, controlled algae growth, complete water clarity and treatments.

Our full service maintenance is an A to Z program. We maintain all that involves a water garden except for the general feeding of the fish. With our 24 hour emergency response service, your water garden is always in the best of care and prepared for the unexpected.

Chris Dickerson: Owner/Water Garden Specialist

My passion for water gardening began in 1988 as manager of Your Pets' Shop and Water Gardens in Hyde Park, OH. As manager I assembled an extensive line of quality water garden products, a huge selection of over 500 water plant choices, and a large variety of the healthiest koi and goldfish in Cincinnati. In addition to my near 20 years of experience in water gardening, I also have a total of 28 years as a freshwater fish hobbyist.

Over the years I have done many consultations for homeowners, landscapers, garden clubs, and businesses. Water gardening to me is a form of art, a thing of natural beauty and life. Understanding the freshwater ecosystem is the key to a successful and healthy water garden.

Why Water?

Leonardo da Vinci once said, "Water is the driver of Nature." Water gardens add irrepressibly beautiful elements to a garden. Take for instance, bubbling fountains and waterfalls. The sounds and sprays they cast off cool garden visitors considerably, even when it's only a psychological trick. And, too, the mere sight of water becomes breaks up an otherwise static landscape. As wind stretches across the water's surface, it tosses off ripples that catch your eye time and again. That ever-changing surface reflects the sun, the clouds and the seasons as they pass. A water garden is mesmerizing and makes for a peaceful interlude in a stress-filled world.