A really big pet rock.

Water Features make great companions.

Adopt one today. There are many boulders out there looking for a good home. Nothing is better than the sound of water in the garden. Especially on a nice summer night. This particular stone is a basalt column which is a very dense volcanic rock.

A recirculating bubbling boulder really does make a great companion to any landscape. They are great as welcoming accents or clustered together for a very full sound. If you are using just one make sure to place it close to where you do most of your outdoor living. If it is placed too far away it might get lost in the rest of the garden. All that is needed is a nearby power outlet and enough room to dig a basin to hold the water.

Bubbling boulders fit into almost any space. If you have a open space, a larger and more prominent stone is preferable. If your space is more intimate, a smaller boulder with nice subtleties is probably best. Your local stone supplier should have a selection of pre-drilled stones to choose from, or you can pick your own and have them drill it for you. The character of the stone will determine the amount of noise it will produce. A smooth stone like the one above has a very consistent bubbling sound, while a rough stone will have a inconsistent splashing sound. If you already have a space in mind these characteristics will help you pick your new garden companion.

Here is a picture of basalt before it is harvested.

Columnar basalt at Sheepeater Cliff in Yellowstone. pic. from wikipedia

Landscape Photography

My wife and I both really enjoy dabbling in landscape photography. We have been pursuing it more lately since she started working with me this summer. These are some of our most recent photos that we took for a local landscape contractor.

Cool Water Feature for Hot Days

This is a water feature we designed as a focal point for a patio. On a hot day like today, it would be a nice addition to any garden space. We included italian mosaic tile, copper and mexican beach pebble to give it a beach-y vibe. For us land-locked Nebraskans, a little water goes a long way!

A Place to Entertain

Here are some images from a project we completed this past spring. There are a lot of fun features including a fire pit, two water features, a built-in grill, and an inviting seating wall.

Cooper, the neighbor's dog even enjoys hanging out here until his mom gets home from work!

This was a really fun project to work on and I am excited to see it once the plants get established.

As you can see, there is plenty of space for entertaining or dining al fresco.

Is this a mirage?

You wouldn't guess this swim-up bar is in Nebraska would you? Sure would feel nice on a day like today. The homeowners on this project really wanted their backyard to feel like a resort. They wanted a place to entertain the adults as well as the grandkids. It was a small space but we managed to work in all of the desired elements including a bar/grill/dining area, a custom pool and spa with a natural stone "diving board" and even a fire pit. I don't know about you, but I could kick back and relax in a place like this!