Landscaping Tips: 6 Basic Steps To Building A Garden Pond
Landscaping Tips: 6 Basic Steps To Building A Garden Pond
Building a garden pond is not just a matter of digging a hole, lining it with plastic and filling it with water. There are other considerations such as whether it should have plants or fish as well as how big or tiny it needs to be, its shape and size, and the list goes on. Prepare to dig a hole and spend many hours complaining about your aching back but you'll be extremely pleased with the results and can sit back with a with a drink in hand, praising your effort after the fact. For those who have done it, building a garden pond can be a very satisfying project indeed.
Naturally, level ground would be best or else youll spend far more time and effort doing the levelling yourself. The idea of building a pond in the shade of a tree is not advisable because the roots will grow further and invade the pond's territory at some point in the future. The shade from the tree will also result in a lack of sunlight which is essential to your ponds survival. Since you will need electricity for the pump, proximity to an outlet is important.
Step 2 Prefabricated or do-it-yourself liner?
Prefabs are the more expensive option but you pay for ease of installation, durability and low maintenance. Liners are available in different price ranges and generally speaking, the more you pay, the longer your liner will last.
Step 3 Installation
For a prefab pond, tip it upside down on the area youve reserved, mark it out with 6 to 8 inches extra around the outside and start digging. If you're using liners, take measurements of your outline keeping in mind the size of the liner you'll be using. A garden pond that can last for a long time means that all debris should be cleared from the cavity to prevent punctures to the bottom of the pond. When the hole is of the proper size and depth then you can either lay the lining. Fill to about one quarter capacity with water so that the weight will keep the pond in place as you refill the gaps with soil.
Step 4 Decoration
You can now add plants, rocks, bark and stone around the banks of the pond for a more natural appearance. If you intend to add fish, plants that overhang into the water will be useful as shade and hiding spots.
Step 5 Add aquatic plants
If youre building a garden pond that doesnt have a pump, you should aim for plenty of plant life to keep algae growth under control.