Paul and Sheryl Seaman relax by their backyard pond that will be featured on the pond tour.
The annual Northern Nevada Pond Tour is coming to Carson City on Saturday, July 16 and two residents are excited to show off their “little paradise” with the community.
Paul and Sheryl Seaman have been working on their backyard pond for nearly 15 years, creating their own oasis in their Comstock Circle residence. This will be the second time their pond has been featured in the Pond Tour, and they are excited to share it with their fellow pond lovers.
“Our tour will be in the afternoon, so it is a really pretty time,” Paul said. “Everyone can come back and just relax and enjoy.”
When the couple first started to create their pond, their backyard was a flat space, taken over by concrete from their pool, but it only took them about a year to create a green space with rolling hills and a waterfall. Sheryl designed the area, completing the look with a split waterfall and grass bridge that ran over top a stream that connected the waterfall to the pond. The backyard also features a miniature vineyard, garden and pool.
“We thoroughly enjoy this, so it is never any major upkeep,” Paul said.
Sheryl said she did a lot of research on ponds before they put theirs in, to see what would be the best way to create a natural area that would still be aesthetically pleasing.
“I knew that I wanted a walk bridge with a stream under it, and I wanted it to be natural,” Sheryl said. “We installed two pumps (in the waterfall) so you can really hear the water flowing.”
The four foot deep pond is surrounded by a variety of foliage, including cattails and lilies that grow each year.
“It is pretty amazing how many roots will establish here,” Paul said. “We don’t do anything special with it, the plants pretty much take care of themselves.”
For the couple, the pond provides a peaceful addition to their day.
“We just love it,” Paul said. “We come out here with our coffee and breakfast in the morning and we just love it out here in the summertime.”
Paul and Sheryl are excited to participate in the pond tour again this year. They are hoping they can also get ideas from other pond enthusiasts on how to improve their pond.
“We enjoy seeing people and sharing our pond, plus we can have the exchange of ideas when people come,” Sheryl said. “We hope people will get ideas and realize how easy it is to have a pond.”
The Seamans are one of many houses in Carson City and Douglas County who are participating in the tours this year. The Douglas County ponds will be on display from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the Carson ponds will be from noon to 4 p.m.
Tickets are $10 apiece or $15 for a pair and are available at the Greenhouse Garden Center on Curry Street, the Bridger Mountain Boutique in the Carson Mall or at the Valley Garden Center in Gardnerville. Exact addresses and directions will be provided with the tickets. The tours are all self guided.
For additional information, contact Sharon Dunk at 775-267-0336 or Bev Fricke 775-265-7765.