Once you have decided to add a water feature to your garden, try to resist the temptation to rush out immediately and build it: unless you plan carefully, you could create all sorts of problems for the future. A good feature takes time to install, as well as a considerable amount of money and, once in situ, it cannot be moved easily. So don't risk spoiling your enjoyment of the garden and the feature itself -make sure you first consider every option fully.

When incorporating water into your garden for the first time, you can treat the garden as a blank canvas and choose where the feature will go, as well as its style and size. But remember, there arc-four limiting factors:

- The type of garden you have: a magnificently opulent fountain would be completely out of place in an informal garden.
- Your garden's proportions: these should determine the size of the feature.
- The size of your budget: this speaks for itself.
- The level of your enthusiasm: how thoroughly you plan and execute your ideas can make all the difference to the success of your plan.

WHAT DESIGN? WHAT STYLE?
Water is versatile and adaptable and can be incorporated in many forms. Small features might include a barrel pond or cobblestone fountain, either of which would be ideal for a tiny town garden or patio area. Ponds, perhaps l-2m (3-6ft) across, are what most gardeners possess, and these can be wonderful to create and nurture. At the other end of the scale you might consider a lake or large bog garden - if there is the room.

Formal designs
These are either circular, oval, or angular - a square, rectangle or other geometric shape. Formal ponds are particularly suitable where space is limited. They look best in more formal surroundings, for example near the house, or in conjunction with other features such as straight paths and patios. Raised or sunken ponds can add a further attractive dimension to the garden.

Informal designs
By contrast, informal ponds are irregular in shape, with soft, sweeping curves and few, if any, straight lines or sharp angles. This type of design is best suited to a garden planted in a relaxed way - a sort of cottage garden, with flowers of all sizes and colours. If you like lots of plants, an informal style of pond would suit you best. For example, a bog garden can be created as an extension of the pond, making a perfect transition between the pond and garden.

Still-water pond
This is the basic, unsophisticated type of pond, without a fountain or waterfall, and no mechanical filtration using pumps. This may sound rather boring, yet in many cases it is preferable if you wish to keep fish and grow a variety of aquatic plants - especially waterlilies, which hate too much moving water around their stems and leaves.

Moving water pond
For most of us, the perfect pond is one in which there is some form of moving water. It may be the trickle of a little fountain, or a big gusher with a larger water feature; a gentle cascade over some rocks or, at the other end of the scale, a waterfall torrent. In all cases, unless your garden contains a natural waterfall, or you live on a geyser, the water will be recycled using a pump.

Raised pond
Any raised feature in an otherwise flat garden will add interest, but one containing water is always special. Patio ponds are often raised, so you can sit on the edge and appreciate the pond life at close quarters. It may also be the only way of having a pond if the ground cannot be excavated. If a very deep pond is required - e.g. for keeping koi - then elevating it would mean less excavation and reduce the overall costs, which could otherwise be huge. A raised pond can also be a disincentive to marauding creatures - predominately cats and herons - which can mercilessly decimate a collection of fish.

Container features
Small water features which do not require an actual pond were once rare to see; today they sell in their millions and can be bought as manufactured items, or made up at home with paraphernalia accrued from all manner of sources. As long as the end result is watertight, your imagination can run riot!

A small water feature can be anything from a wall-mounted ornate reservoir, that is little more than a glorified bird bath, through to wooden barrels, Japanese bamboo bird and deer scarers and old kitchen sinks, to more sophisticated pebble and millstone fountains. These can be fairly inexpensive, quick to install, stunning to look at and a marvellous talking point. On the downside, the small size will limit the range of fish or plants you can keep in it; shade will be required for part of the day in very hot weather, to prevent the water temperature rising to dangerous levels for the water life, and regular checks will be needed to replenish water levels.

Conclusion
Whatever design and style you choose lore your pond, avoid having too many niches, nooks and crannies, otherwise it could be a real problem to construct and look over-fussy when completed. When in doubt, always choose the simple option, as straightforward, uncomplicated shapes are

Do not bring the lawn right to the water's edge - the grass will be difficult to cut usually more attractive than over-ambitious, complex designs.