Was my Backyard Waterfall Worth it?
This Sierra waterfall served as inspiration for my own creation.
A True Story
by Chris Sebes, Content Manager at Sierra
Do you have a back yard living space that you enjoy? I mean, really enjoy? I didn’t.
My back yard in Sparta, NJ was there. We used it, but not much. It was fine. We’d have people over, but we usually gathered on the deck. It was like a backyard purgatory. Not great. Not terrible. We knew we could do better for our outdoor living needs.
I was happy to have green grass. Many times, I was amazed that I managed to keep the clover and dandelions to a minimum. I cut, edged, and weeded. It was usually a weekly ritual that I barely tolerated because I wanted to try and make a nice place to hang out. My wife would use her mystical powers when it came to putting the right flowers and plants together. Vibrant reds or pinks almost shouted as they seemed to call bees and hummingbirds to partake from their nectars. And, because of the brutal midday sun, I’d find myself watering those plants and flowers almost every evening.
But after completing my back yard chores, I found myself going right back inside. There really was no reason for me to stay. I guess it wasn’t that nice of a place to hang out.
That all changed this year.
Since I can remember, I’ve wanted some sort of water feature on my property. A stream, creek, river, waterfall, pond, something. It was so profound, that, as a kid, I used to have dreams of finding a trestle bridge in my parents driveway with a stream running under it. “How did I never notice this?”, I would wonder. Many years later and after two decades in my own home, I decided that it was time to do something. And I wanted to design it myself.
A heavy snowfall from the previous winter provided me with a damaged tree that would give way to a nicely-sloped area for a waterfall. I now had the perfect place for it. It was almost like the universe said, “Here! Put it right here!”
Who am I to argue?
First, the research. I watched dozens of videos on how the experts make their water features. I could buy a kit, but those kits were pondless waterfalls. I wanted to make it unique. I wanted a little pond. So I watched more videos on what to do and what not to do.
A spring purchase would yield some essential parts. In a way, this was telling me there is no going back. Cool. One more step closer to the goal.
A submersible pond pump and some LED lights were then acquired. That reminds me. I still need to send in the warranty card for the pump.
And after a few trips to my parents’ house to find rocks from their woods, I would purchase an EPDM pond liner and other accoutrements suggested by the experts. I had everything I needed to start the build.
And start I did.
Here are the steps I went through to make my pond and waterfall:
Dig away the dirt on the hill.
Dig a hole for the pond.
Place the pond liner.
Remove the pond liner.
Dig more away for the pond.
Place the pond liner.
Remove the pond liner.
Fill some dirt back in for the pond.
Place the pond liner in the pond.
Place the liner on the hill.
Place rocks.
Remove rocks.
Removing the liner.
Remove more dirt.
Place the liner back in.
Place the rocks again.
Rinse and repeat.
And I did it, as Eric Carmen sang, “All by myself.” (You’re welcome for the earworm.)
I spent a solid three or four days and a surprisingly little amount of ibuprofen digging, moving, positioning, repositioning, and building the waterfall.
Once it was done, my wife and I shopped around to find some suitable deer food (plants) to accent the hill. I just had one specific requirement for the top of the waterfall to “blend” the top of the falls with the hill. The rest of the plant selections were up to her and her mystical abilities.
Many holes and a good amount of watering later, the plants were in, the mulch was down, and the water was flowing. My waterfall was finally done.
And that was when it all changed.
After doing any of my usual homeowner-based backyard duties, I didn’t immediately want to head back inside the house. I would be done watering the flowers. I would finish closing up the grill. I would put the last deck cushion away before a rain. I found myself wanting to spend more time in that back yard. The size of the property didn’t change, The usable area didn’t change. It was the beautification of my yard that made me want to spend more time there.
The sound of the splashing. The rows and layers of plants. The sight of water cascading down into the little pond. More wildlife, like birds and frogs discovering this new area. Not to mention, the joy of seeing something that I’ve wanted for years, now in my yard. It all came together to create a multi-sensory level of satisfaction and happiness.
I now really enjoy being in my back yard. I could’ve spent that money on something else. Many other things, actually. But the investment that I made on my little piece of purgatory turned into a little slice of heaven.
Not all of us have the time or energy to build their own waterfall. Good or bad, I happened to have both this year. If you don’t have either at your ready, a trustworthy and experienced landscape company like Sierra Landscape Management can transform your dreams and inspirations into reality. You want a place that you can truly enjoy with family and friends. Have that waterfall that brings nature closer. Dine on a Nara-inspired patio that you won’t want to leave. Find joy in creating new memories in a beautiful, outdoor living space that brings family even closer. It may sound cheesy, but my memories have already started only a week in. What are you waiting for? Call Sierra or click the button below to start the conversation that could very well change the trajectory of your life.
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