DIY (Do It Yourself) Guide – Installing a Garden Pond

Landscaping your yard by Installing a Garden Pond

Often adding a pond to your garden can make the whole surrounding much more beautiful.  A pond can add a sense of serenity especially when it includes features such as water fall, it can be very restful to hear.  A nice pond in the backyard is a fantastic landscaping idea. There are many design possibilities; the space available may dictate how big you might want the pond to be. In general, you can decide in many different types of ponds. Nature pond, fountain pond, waterfall pond, Koi pond, goldfish pond, pre-formed waterfalls, or watercourse, or liner ponds. These are just some types that you can have in consideration when landscaping a pond.  As mentioned, the space will dictate on the size of the pond; you may even be able to purchase ponds already made and only need to place underground. Some types of ponds are below ground it all depends on personal taste.

To install a garden pond you need to know what kind of project you have in mind. Fish ponds necessitate running water and biological filters while ponds in cold climates may require special insulation and those in warm climates bacterial safeguard. Here are a few tips on installing simple garden ponds.

Flexible liner pond

Liner ponds can be quite big and the amount of work required will depend on the size but the principle remains similar and they can make a very nice landscaping addition to a garden.

Installing a liner pond is quite simple.

1. Start by outlining the area where you would like to pond to be. You can make the pool in any shape you desire
2. Dig the pond two centimeters more than the depth that you actually desire. Do not dig the edges perpendicular since they may collapse; dig the edges at an angle of 20 degrees. Leave shelves anywhere in the pond where you intend to place emergent plants like cattails for instance.  With a straight board, make sure that the edges are leveled.  If you are going to edge to pond with field stone, remove the sod around the edges to that the stones will be placed evenly with the lawn.
3. Remove anything stones, sticks or anything that may be found in the excavated area. Spread damp sand all over the surface of the pond and cover the sand with landscape fabric to protect against piercing.
4. Place the liner in the excavation carefully paying close attention to curves and molding it accordingly. Use your feet (remove your shoes)  and mold the liner to take the shape of the pond
5. Gradually add water and smooth out any wrinkles while the pool fills.
6.  Place pavers on the edges and use mortar mix to have them stick without being loose.  Cut any excess.

Flexible linear ponds are the most easy to construct. They are fantastic for small gardens but can also be made in any dimension provided there is enough space.

Some other idea may include having a waterfall pond which is much more exotic and adds a lot of character to the garden beside the peaceful and serene nature that the sound of running water brings. Adding a waterfall pond almost necessitates very careful planning and a lot of physical effort.

Waterfall ponds

A waterfall pond adds the sound of running water which often provides a sense of serenity. When in a surrounding that has abundant wildlife is offer a natural setting of the outdoors a very nice area to gather for barbecue or just seek privacy.  Waterfall ponds can be small or big and the designs are as many depending on your desire and imagination.

To design a waterfall pond, start by outlining the layout taking into consideration the surrounding of your garden. If you plan to have some fish in the pond, a spot where there is sunlight would be preferable.  Dig the pond according to your outline making certain to leave to leave shelve where you plan on having water plants.

(If you have a many acres of land through a wooded area you may even give the pond the aspect of a natural river in such case, you can build steps to add some element of natural beauty). After having dug your pond, clear the space of anything that might be growing like tree roots. The pond does not need to be perfectly flat; you can make some shallow area and deep areas especially if you will have aquatic life both plants and fishes.

Having made your pond, you can start making the section for your water fall just on the margin of your pond. the section has to include the necessary instruments such as pump and water line. When making the waterfall, make steps like you would for normal steps. Without any shoes on walk all around the excavated surface to stomp the area. Place sand in the pond and cover with the liner making certain to have extra at the top for security and leak prevention. Place pavers on the outer layer and cut off any excess.

Place a filter in the pond with a tube that extends to where the waterfall is located.  Attach another flexible tube to the pond pump.   Make the environment look as natural as possible for instance by placing rocks on the steps leading to the pond, placing flowers. How best to make the setting will depend on the environment and where you have located the pond.   Landscaping a waterfall or a pond can totally transform a setting. Some artificial setting can be created that are perfect and adapted to various wildlife.

Landscaping your yard with a pond especially if you are including different types of fishes may require special permission and legal documents to be obtained.  You should always verify what laws apply to your geographical region before starting any landscaping project for that matter of fact.

When landscaping a pond, proper steps must be followed depending on the geographical reasons. Many bacteria are water born and the cause of different illnesses.  Taking the necessary health and safety measures is therefore essential.

Some ponds can be combined as a swimming pool in a natural setting which increases having all measure pro preventing any type of disease but also making the pond adequate to support any type of fish that you may desire to include.

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