| Building a garden pond is not just a matter of digging | | | | measure your outline keeping in mind the size of the |
| a hole, lining it with plastic and filling it with water. | | | | liner you will be using. Building a garden pond that will |
| There are other considerations such as whether it | | | | last for years means that all debris should be |
| should contain fish or just plants; how big or small it | | | | removed from the cavity to avoid punctures to the |
| should be; its shape, and so on. Be prepared to dig a | | | | bottom of the pond. Once the hole is the required |
| decent hole and spend many hours complaining about | | | | depth and size, add the prefab or lay the lining. Fill to |
| your aching back ... but you'll be very pleased with | | | | about one quarter capacity with water so that the |
| the results and you can happily stand around, beer in | | | | weight will keep the pond in place as you refill the |
| hand, praising your efforts after the fact. For those | | | | gaps with soil. |
| who have done it, building a garden pond can be a | | | | Step 4 - Decoration |
| very satisfying project indeed. | | | | You can now add plants, rocks, bark and stone |
| Step 1 - Decide on where to build your pond. | | | | around the 'banks' of the pond for a more natural |
| Naturally, level ground would be best or else you'll | | | | appearance. If you intend to add fish, plants that |
| spend far more time and effort doing the levelling | | | | overhang into the water will be useful as shade and |
| yourself. Building a garden pond under a tree is | | | | hiding spots. |
| unwise as the roots will continue to grow and could | | | | Step 5 - Add aquatic plants |
| encroach upon the pond's territory in the future. The | | | | If you're building a garden pond that doesn't have a |
| shade of the tree will also mean a lack of sunlight, | | | | pump, you should aim for plenty of plant life to keep |
| which is essential to your pond's survival. Since you | | | | algae growth under control. |
| will need electricity for the pump, proximity to an | | | | Step 6 - Install a pump and filter |
| outlet is important. | | | | There are dozens of models on the market and your |
| Step 2 - Prefabricated or do-it-yourself liner? | | | | retailer will be able to help you decide which size is |
| Prefabs are the more expensive option but you pay | | | | best for your pond. Read the instructions and follow |
| for ease of installation, durability and low maintenance. | | | | carefully, but it's generally a simple task to place the |
| Liners are available in different price ranges and | | | | pump in the water and connect the hose to it. The |
| generally speaking, the more you pay, the longer | | | | filter needs to be positioned in front of the pump to |
| your liner will last. | | | | encourage water through the filter first. Building a |
| Step 3 - Installation | | | | garden pond and outfitting it should take little more |
| For a prefab pond, tip it upside down on the area | | | | than a weekend, which is one of the things that |
| you've reserved, mark it out with 6 to 8 inches extra | | | | makes it so rewarding. |
| around the outside and start digging. If using liners, | | | | |