3 Garden Pond Ideas - Learn How to Build a Beautiful Pond
Ponds are becoming popular elements of modern gardens. A small reservoir, if designed well, looks very pleasing, and increases the property's value. Do you want to have a pond in your garden, but have no idea how to design it? Get inspired and create a true piece of art.
Is a garden pond a good idea?
A pond is a beautiful-looking element – especially if it’s a part of a backyard landscape. But it’s an individual matter whether one decides to build it. Keep in mind that a garden pond requires attention. It needs regular cleaning and protection before winter.
One should also pick special aquatic plants to make the pond look more attractive. And again – they have certain care needs. It means that a backyard pond is something for people who have enough time for extra work in the garden.
Where should a garden pond be located on the property?
A location for a garden pond cannot be picked at random. You should think thoroughly about where to place the water reservoir. The natural topography of the area might help you. Perhaps there is a depressed spot on the property. You can use it to your advantage and design a new garden element in it.
Is your property perfectly even? Don’t worry. You can build a garden pond regardless. Just stick to the following rules:
- The pond cannot be located too close to the house – because of the moisture, moss or an unaesthetic green residue might appear on the building’s façade.
- You can build a garden pond in a sunny spot, but make sure there are ornamental shrubs or trees nearby – thanks to them, pond plants grow better and are protected from getting scorched.
- Adjust the pond’s size to the property’s dimensions – a tiny backyard pond in a huge garden is not the best idea, neither is an enormous reservoir in a limited space.
- When picking a spot for your pond, consider where various installations such as sewage and water systems, or gas pipes are located.
What’s the best size for a garden pond?
The size of a garden pond is a matter of what the property’s owner likes, and what their possibilities are. A lot depends on the concept of the design. If the backyard pond is going to be small, and used for decorative purposes only, its width and depth doesn’t have to be that impressive.
It’s a bit different if you want to keep fish or cultivate plants such as water lilies in the reservoir. In this case, the pond has to be at least 1-1.2 meters deep.
What are the most important aspects of a garden pond?
The reservoir’s leakproofness is one of the most essential issues to consider when building a garden pond. This applies not only to the bottom, but also the sides of the tank. How to build a classic pond?
- Pour a few-centimeters deep layer of sand into a previously prepared spot in the ground.
- Line the firmed sand with underlayment fabric and a plastic liner.
- Pour some water to fill the reservoir’s bottom, so the layers adjust to the shape of the ground.
- Secure the liner’s sides to prevent them from changing positions.
- Cut off the excess liner or mask it using decorative stones.
A classic garden pond design
The mentioned method with a hole in the ground secured with a special lining foil is the most popular way to build a DIY pond. It’s a perfect idea both for small and large reservoirs. What’s more, with this solution one can employ interesting ideas, e.g., a pond with a bridge, or a miniature waterfall.
A modern backyard pond with a waterfall is a less expensive option. In this case, you just have to stack some stones on one side of the reservoir, and build a special system to create a flow. Surprisingly, it’s not difficult to design. All you need is a pump and several pipes to transport water to the upper parts of the waterfall. Place them between the stones. You can conceal them using plants or decorations, This way, the whole design looks aesthetic.
A pond with a bridge is the second most popular solution. Such a design is perfect for large and medium properties. The reservoir’s general shape is the same as in the previous example. A special walkable construction across the pond is the only difference. Building it might be a complicated issue, though. The bridge should be durable, to prevent users from falling into the water – which is especially dangerous to small children. That’s why we recommend hiring experts to build the construction for you, or purchasing an already constructed element in a store – after taking measurements, to ensure a perfect fit.
Pond ideas on a budget – use an old bathtub!
Do you lack experience with garden DIY projects? Are you dreaming of a backyard pond, but you can’t afford long preparations and securing the ground? Here’s a quick and interesting idea for you. Simply use an old bathtub as a base for your garden pond. If you don’t have one at home, you will surely find such an item at a junkyard or on online marketplaces, where people give away such elements.
All you have to do it dig the tub in the ground, secure the drain hole, and line the inside with a foil. The rest of the design depends on your individual ideas.
Small pond ideas – how to make a tire pond?
A tire pond is a perfect solution for a small property. As you could have guessed, the most important element of such a construction is a tire. We recommend using a larger element from a farm vehicle – e.g., a tractor tire. It requires some preparation. How to make a tractor tire pond? Take a look at the instructions below.
- Prepare a sharp tool and cut off the upper part of the tire (lying flat).
- Dig a hole in the ground and place the tire in it.
- Seal the tire using special pond lining foil.
- Use heavy stones to secure the pond’s edges and the foil.
- Plant some flowers or place other decorations around the pond.
Fill your tire pond with water and enjoy the beautiful miniature water reservoir on your property.
📍 How to build a pond without a liner?
Building a water pond without plastic liner is more difficult than making one with it. In this case, one has to firm the reservoir using a thick layer of clay and gravel. It's not always possible. The solution with liner is a much easier option.
📍 How to make a small pond?
You can build a small pond using the classic method of securing the ground with a liner. An old bathtub or a tractor tire are alternative options for the pond's base. Such solutions are quick and effective.
📍 How to clean a pond?
If the pond is large, cleaning it might be problematic. For this reason, a pump, and a water filter are a reasonable option. Using them, you can easily keep the reservoir manageable, and clean it thoroughly once a year. Small water ponds are much easier to control. Just use a special vacuum cleaner from time to time.
📍 What to plant around a garden pond?
Pick special moisture-loving plants for your backyard pond. They are typically planted at the pond's edges. You can also add special aquatic plants which float in the water. Thanks to them, the reservoir becomes even more attractive.
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