My Country Garden

My husband and I moved from the city to the country life. We live in Paige, TX population approximately 700 people give or take a few. We purchased a 100 year old farm house, but that's another story in itself. One of our first projects outside was to build a koi pond, waterfall, and bog. The pond measures in depth from 6 feet to 3 feet and is approximate 6000 gallons. My husband and myself do all the work together and learn by trail and error. Once the hole was dug we added sand and pond liner. The statue was added this year, we purchased the broken statue for $50.00 (retail price $700.00). She could not stand, she was damaged that bad. My husband added re-bar to the back then used cement epoxy and let it cure for several days. Once it could stand we sculpted the back and legs with cement . The bog she stands in is watered by gray water from our bath tub. I have planted irises and umbrella plants in the bog. The log cabin in the background houses the pond filter system and is made of landscape timbers.  Since I raise birds, I have tried to landscape in each pen.   We buried a 300 gallon water trough and plumbed with a shower drain at the bottom.   The waste water goes to the pasture for water and fertilizer.  My husband layed brick around the edges so the bird don't piddle in the mud.  A koi splitter, grasses and pot add interest to me.   The bamboo is there so the swans don't  fight with the pair in the next pen.  The windmill is not functional, it is just a big piece of yard art.  We acquired it in trade for a decorated egg that had won first prize at the Dallas egg show.