SOUTH DEERFIELD — Brad Wallace was just a few projects into his excavation business when he realized he was interested in doing more than just digging holes.
After a decade in various construction roles, Wallace decided he wanted to venture out on his own. He launched an excavation company, but soon realized there was a niche — or a hole, if you will — in the landscaping market for waterscapes and other water features. Following some training in Chicago, Wallace returned to South Deerfield, where he lives with his family, to launch Wicked Water Gardens at the tail end of summer 2022.
“I’ve been looking for something to fill my need for creating. … I wanted to put my touch on things and you really can’t; [construction’s] like following a recipe,” Wallace explained in an interview at his home, where a waterfall feeds a tiny pond in his yard. “It just became clear that if I don’t [start this business now], then I’m never going to do it.”
Wicked Water Gardens handles consultation and planning, installation and maintenance of water features. Wallace specializes in ecosystem ponds, pondless waterfalls and fountains of all sizes, with an eye toward sustainability, as he said his installations are energy-efficient and can support local wildlife.
“My first few customers loved that it brings nature into their yard,” Wallace said of the ponds. “When I wanted to do excavation, I was like, ‘I need to do something special,’ and I found ponds and it was right up my alley with nature.”
And if you’re unsure about installing a pond or waterfall in your yard, Wicked Water Gardens offers compact fountains that can still bring the relaxing sound of running water. Wallace said they are low-maintenance and eco-friendly.
Wallace said he received training in Chicago through Aquascape, a national manufacturer of water feature components, and he orders his parts through them.
Those parts are winter-proof — to the point that they can be run throughout the winter if preferred — and Wicked Water Gardens offers several options for protecting pond fish from predators, ranging from motion-sensor lights to creating hiding places. Construction material, such as stones, comes from local sources like Sunderland-based Delta Sand and Gravel.
Wicked Water Gardens also provides repair services for water features, even if Wallace didn’t build it himself. These repairs are a little different than other landscaping or household work because it’s a specialty, and if water features aren’t constructed or fixed properly, they can leak, breed mosquitoes or break down.
“It’s not like I’m coming to fix your deck or repair your refrigerator, this is kind of a luxury,” he said. “And when it’s in a state of disrepair and you can’t enjoy it, it must be frustrating. … I really enjoy helping these people get them back up and going.”
For more information about Wicked Water Gardens, visit newenglandpond.com. The business can also be found on its Facebook page at Facebook.com/WickedWG.
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.