It’s spring, that time of the year when a young man’s, er, person’s fancy often turns to love… and landscaping projects. Every year you’ve been in your home has brought a different priority: first it was getting the lawn in shape, followed by adding on to the deck, then adding ornamental trees, shrubs, and perennials. And of course you’ve added bright flowering annuals every spring, along with the requisite tomatoes and herbs. Now that everything is established and looking beautiful, what’s left to do?

When you stroll through your garden, what senses are stimulated? Sight, certainly, scent, probably, maybe even touch. What about hearing? Close your eyes and imagine the soft, soothing sound of water trickling in your very own backyard pond… don’t you feel more relaxed already?

There are many benefits that make the design and installation of a pond well worth the effort. In addition to creating a calming oasis in your own yard, the visual appeal of the water and aquatic plants will completely change your experience of being outdoors. This is especially true if you add a fountain (which uses a pond pump to circulate the water); water spraying gently from the fountain will sparkle in the light even on overcast days, in addition to the delightful splashing sound.

Add koi or other fish, and along with the frogs and toads your pond will attract, they’ll happily keep mosquitoes and other insects under control. Many species of birds will naturally flock to your pond to drink and bathe. And in case you need another reason, The Happy Homeowner says that landscaping projects are a great way to increase your property value!

Now that you’re convinced, you’ll have some preliminary decisions to make, about the style of pond and where to install it. Think about what will complement the look of your home and existing landscape; if it’s a woodland-style natural environment, you’ll probably want a freeform pond, but if you lean more towards Frank Lloyd Wright, something more symmetrical, even geometric, might be a better choice.

Do you want to install your pond yourself? There are so many options, from creating a water garden in a half-barrel on your deck to a woodland waterfall, that the process of decision-making can be overwhelming. Here’s a pond set-up primer, including a handy shopping list, step-by-step installation instructions, and even helpful tips for preventing problems like ruptured pipes.

There’s an impressive array of pond liner types available today, from simple sheets of PVC to prefabricated forms, each with advantages and drawbacks. Of all the decisions you’ll make before installing your pond, this is perhaps the most crucial, because it will affect every aspect of the installation, from digging the hole to post-installation maintenance.

Once it’s installed, your backyard pond can be more than just something pretty to look at; it can be a great opportunity to learn (and teach your kids) about creating your own biosystem. For example, the fish will eat insects; water plants absorb ammonia from fish waste, which helps to prevent the formation of algae, keeping the environment healthy for your fish.

So whether you choose to install a prefabricated liner or dig your pond the old-fashioned way, adding a backyard pond to your yard could be the perfect landscape project this spring!