I cut out a line of sod, grade smooth with a rake, and set in precast aggregate squares ( 24" x 24" size or the smaller size if you can't lift those or two wheel them over ) . I usually space them about 7 inches apart. I use a tile trowel to level the soil under them so they don't rock. After they are set I back fill around them with dirt and grass seed. You can do this with any flat natural stone like limestone,slate or bluestone which make installation easier with less digging and levelling than boulders or irregular stones would require. The nice thing about this sort of grass/stone path is that you don't have to fight weeds like you eventually have to with paver bricks or most stone aggregate beds. No trimming either, you just mow right over them.

Asking this group is a good idea. In Austin, there is a pond society. I would look for something like that and then collaborate with them as to who is good at keeping ponds in your area. They will also be able to give you specific advice for your area. (I'm in Austin -- so, for me to offer advice I think would be silly). Go to the local pond stores and chit-chat with them about their beliefs as far as what should be done and who can do it. You might also go to some of the more pond oriented fish stores. In my own pond, I do not have UV. I have only a bio filter and balance: snails, underwater grasses, plants, and fish. I got most of my ideas from reading the Lilypons web site. If the water is clear, then it seems like the UV filter is big enough and everything is working fine. I've heard not to put gravel because it makes cleaning such a pain. And it seems like 30", even in your area, is deep enough for fish. From what I've read, a good mucking out each year is good to do. I've cleaned my pond often but that was because it was still under construction and not balanced. I plan to clean it next spring but we'll see what actually happens. I'm not sure if this helps. I'm curious what others have to say and suggest.

tina - isn't it great to have garden memories? I think gardens can evoke more memories because it encompasses the senses of sight, touch, sound, and smell. LL - I wish you could come see my garden in person! That would be so fun! In that bed, I grow most of my roses - a mixture of HT's, moderns, minis, OGRs, and climbers. Since I didn't know much about companion plantings, I just bought a package from Bluestone and planted in between the roses. I think my favorite are the asters and the catmint. I have iris from an old abandoned garden (there was a house there years ago). I love the spiky foliage and the thought those iris survived through so much neglect. schoolhouse - it's not a secret garden like yours, but since it's in the back and away from the house a little bit, it does have a secluded feel to it. I'm also trying to get some vines to grow up the gazebo so the feeling will be even more enhanced.

Pea gravel is clean and rounded and therefore does not pack down. It makes a horrible walking surface as it gives way underfoot. It scatters and makes a mess. Compacted DG and other gravels that are fine and comprised of a mixture of particle sizes, 3/8" down to dust, make good walking surfaces, but their smaller particles will stick to shoes. If the patio is close the house these particles will be tracked in. They're capable of making a mess and destroying nice floors. Therefore, gravel patios & walks really only work well when they're some distance from the house, such that the sand and dust bits have an opportunity to be "scrubbed" off of the shoes by the act of walking, before one enters. I lived with a gravel driveway for a year or two while saving up for pavers. I hated how we had to be so careful to clean our shoes before walking into the house, or that sand would end up on the floors. Visitors would not know to carefully wipe their shoes before entering. It was such an annoyance. Pavers miraculously ended that unpleasant situation.