Having written hundreds of pond keeping articles for publication across the world, I was given the opportunity to work with a great publishing team to write a comprehensive book on ponds and pond keeping, which has now been published in three different languages and editions.
UK Edition: Water Gardens: Building, Planting and Maintaining Water Features
French Edition: Encyclopédie visuelle des bassins : Construire, aménager et entretenir un bassin
If you find a copy, you will see what a great job they did with some of my material. I am also grateful to Kelly Billing for her wonderful work and expertise that she shares on the plant directory in the book – Stunning photographs.
The blurb for the book reads:
A water feature or ornamental pond is a delightful addition to any garden. But how do you go about creating an idyllic pond and then maintain it so that it becomes a real asset to the whole garden? This practical guide is all you will need to be able to plan and install a garden pond appropriate to your garden, through to planting, stocking and maintaining it into its mature years.
The emphasis is on building a pond that is close to nature, using the diverse life within it to help balance and maintain an attractive and healthy pond. Where pond equipment is used, it is done so sympathetically to the pond’s overall function and appearance. Taking a holistic approach, this guide also introduces the philosophy behind maintaining a stable and balanced pond explaining the key role that water quality plays in helping water gardeners to achieve their goals.
Water Gardens will lead you through from the start to a complete water garden, giving examples, explanations and sharing experiences. Ben Helm is a qualified marine biologist who has a wealth of fish keeping knowledge and experience. Ben is a prolific writer, having work regularly published in the UK and overseas specialist aquatic press. He has also appeared on BBC TV and radio and has recently contributed to a book on Koi.
I hope you find what you want on the site – it’s all free, and a pleasure to share and help you in any way that I can. If you are still hungry for more extensive, refined and professional advice on ponds, then I do recommend my book.
Best wishes…..Ben Helm
