To borrow a line from songwriter John Mayer, what if you discovered that “there’s no such thing as the real world," and that there was something better on the other side? The other side that I’m referring to is the completely natural world of water gardening, where you can be transported to a completely different universe simply by stepping out the back door of your home. It’s a world characterized by peace, tranquility and relaxation. You’re going to love it. And you’ll be tempted to think that maybe this is the real world after all.



You will discover amazing things, like crystal-clear water rushing over waterfalls into wandering streams and then into ponds, loaded with colorful koi and goldfish, turtles, frogs, and beautiful, fragrant plants. It’s a world where everything is totally natural. Leave the cell phones, TV sets and car keys behind. Best of all, this aquatic paradise is something that, if you don’t have one already, you could have in your own backyard in a very short time, for less than you think.

Imagine morning with a steaming cup of coffee and your morning newspaper, not at the kitchen table, but out by the waterfall and pond. Do you think that might get your day off to the right start? Later, in the afternoon, maybe your kids would be lured away from their “real world" of television sets and video games because the pond and all its wildlife are so much more interesting.

Then after your hard day at work, imagine coming home and you and your spouse settling into a couple comfortable chairs outside by the pond. The pressures of the day begin to melt away, as you watch your own personal waterfall, and listen to the soothing sounds of the gurgling water. Several koi fish are lazily swimming by. Maybe there are a couple of turtles or frogs that jump into the water as you settle into your chair. There’s lots of plants around the pond. You enjoy relaxed, interesting conversation. No cell phones need apply.

And after it gets dark, the underwater lights automatically switch on, giving you a view of different activity that goes on within the pond, which you don’t see or notice during the day. Invite your friends or neighbors over, light a log in the fire pit, and soak in the ambience of the smell of burning wood and the peaceful sounds of the waterfalls. Now ask yourself, which one is the real world? Do you feel welcome in the wonderful world of water gardening? Then why don’t you stay a while?