Rosie and Richard Cobbley are on a first name basis with the koi and goldfish in their pond. Their sanctuary attracts an array of wildlife such as birds, butterflies, dragonflies, frogs and insects. Photo by Pomera M. Fronce at the Rosie and Richard Cobbley yard in July 2008.
Members of The Utah Water Garden Association are gearing up for next weekend's annual pond tour. Twenty-three participants from around the valley will open their backyards to the public and will be on hand to answer questions and offer advice.
Tour director, Rosie Cobbley, touts the event as an opportunity to see water features of all shapes, sizes and themes and to talk with knowledgeable people about how to build and maintain ponds. "And there's lots of free horticultural advice," she adds.
Rosie and husband, Richard, of Sandy will participate in the tour. Their garden sanctuary features a large pond that is fed by a small upper pond, 40 feet of stream and a six foot waterfall. Along with koi and goldfish, the pond is home to a pair of nesting ducks each spring.
The Cobbley's newest addition is a 120 foot mountain stream that runs through a series of falls and small ponds, passes a "cottage" on the hillside and ends in a shade garden.
Their lush yard includes a 25 foot walking labyrinth and many unusual plants and is a magnet for birds, butterflies and insects.
Richards says what most people enjoy about a pond is the sound. "I just like to sit outside and drift off to my empty box," he says.
Along with that, Rosie explains that a water feature changes the climate of your yard. "The water modifies the extreme Utah temperatures so it's not as cold in the winter or hot in the summer," she says.
"There is also a mercenary component to building a water feature," Rosie says. "It adds value to your home."
For those interested in building a pond or properly maintaining the one they have, President Richard Cobbley says their organization can help.
The Utah Water Garden Club is a nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to the hobby of water gardening.
Their monthly meetings, held pond-side when weather permits, often include speakers with expertise in ponding, fish and plant care and other pond-related topics.
They are also a venue for club members to share their experiences with others. "People who enjoy water gardening are passionate about it," says Richard.
"More like obsessive," Rosie interjects.
The Cobbleys have heard horror stories of people making big, expensive mistakes when building a pond. "These can be avoided by tapping into the expertise of our members," says Rosie.
"There are no problems that someone in the club hasn't experienced and already figured out," Richard adds.
Other membership benefits include a monthly newsletter, discounts from sponsors, fish and plant swaps and access to the "fishiwiki" data base created by members to answer questions about pond care in Utah.
Most of all, members have fun and build friendships as they share ideas and learn.
For more information on the Utah Water Garden Club, consult the web at www.pondutah.com or call Richard Cobbley at 801-565-0410.