| Building a backyard fish pond is a big undertaking that | | | | A pond for goldfish or aquatic plants need only be |
| involves a fair amount of hard work and, as it will be | | | | around two feet deep although more depth may be |
| a permanent feature of your garden, it is worthwhile | | | | required in very cold areas to prevent the pond |
| spending some time in the planning stage. | | | | freezing in winter. If you want a koi fish pond it will |
| So before you rush into the garden with a shovel, | | | | need to be at least three feet deep or more. |
| pause for a while and think about your fish pond | | | | The biggest mistake that water gardeners tend to |
| design and the type of pond that you want ... | | | | make is to build a pond that is too small. Your finished |
| Natural Pond - follows the curves and forms of | | | | pond will appear much smaller than your original |
| nature and may include an outcrop of stone or a | | | | layout! |
| natural beach. This will often allow planting at the | | | | If your backyard fish pond is to be dug out rather |
| edge of the pool and can create the impression that | | | | than raised consider how you will remove the |
| the pond was there long before the rest of the | | | | excavated material. It may be possible to use it in |
| garden or the house were constructed. | | | | another part of the garden, alternatively you may |
| Formal Pond - a geometric design works best when | | | | need to have it removed which can be difficult and |
| there is a relationship in design and materials with the | | | | expensive. |
| buidings that are close by. It will usually be | | | | Assuming you are going to build a sunken pond the |
| symmetrical in design and could be rectangular or | | | | next step is to start digging! Dig the pond to the |
| square in shape and may have a paved edge. Formal | | | | desired shape and dig a shelf around the perimeter of |
| ponds are often planted but usually with artfully | | | | the pond about one foot deep and one or more feet |
| chosen plants rather than the wilder plantings of a | | | | wide. Dig the remainder of the pond. If you are |
| natural pond. | | | | planning a waterfall dig the pond with a slight slope |
| Raised Pond - a formal pond can also be construced | | | | away from the waterfall. |
| above ground from bricks, blocks or stone. There will | | | | Line the excavated pond with underlay. This is to |
| be less waste to carry from the site, however the | | | | stop the flexible liner from being pierced by sharp |
| cost of the construction materials will be higher than | | | | stones. Pond underlay can be made from geotextile |
| an in-ground pond. | | | | or old carpet, providing it is non-organic and |
| Once you've decided on the type of backyard fish | | | | non-rotting can be used to save money. A butyl |
| pond spend some time working out possible locations | | | | rubber pond liner is laid on top of the underlay. |
| and mark out the locations with a garden hose or a | | | | Position to liner evenly in the pond and try to |
| length or rope. Take into consideration the amount of | | | | minimize the folds and wrinkles. Leave an overhang |
| light in different locations. If you want to grown | | | | of at least six inches. Avoid walking on the newly laid |
| water lilies you will require four to six hours of direct | | | | liner as much as possible. If you must walk on it wear |
| sunlight on the pond during the day. Shade is fine for | | | | socks! |
| fish-only ponds. Check the overhanging trees as | | | | Fill the pond and try to ease the wrinkles out of the |
| these could also be a source of pond pollution. If you | | | | liner while the pond is filling. Arrange coping stones |
| must build a pond beneath a tree at least try to | | | | around the edge of the pond and fold the liner up |
| avoid deciduous trees - the leaves will create a lot of | | | | behind the stones ensuring the edge of the liner is |
| pond waste. | | | | above the water level. A more natural edge can be |
| When deciding on the location of your pond avoid | | | | created by planting shallow-water plants around the |
| the temptation to locate the pond in the lowest point | | | | edge of the pond. You may need to consider |
| in the garden. The low point can be subject to | | | | cementing the coping stones in place if the pond |
| flooding in heavy rain and will often collect runoff | | | | edge will be subjected to much foot traffic. |
| from the garden. This may carry fertilizers and | | | | Now sit back and enjoy your new garden pond! |
| organic debris into the pond. | | | | |