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