How to Make a Garden Pond
Like so many garden projects, designing a pond requires careful planning. There are many options to consider depending on use, size, shape, material and situation. A careful compromise of these factors will produce a pond suitable for your needs that complements your garden.
What Do You Intend to Use Your Pond For?
Your goals when setting up a garden pond will often dictate how exactly it is designed. The most basic ornamental pond is designed to be a pleasant focal point, installed as a standalone garden feature or as part of a wider landscaping project. These are perfect for adding additional water features.
Aquatic Pond Planter Small
View ProductIf you intend to use your pond for aquatic planting then more specific needs must be addressed. A stepped base or shelf may be needed to accommodate marginal plants of varying heights. Baskets make it easier to grow plants, move them around and maintain them. The choice and diversity of aquatic plants must be carefully planned in much the same way as designing a garden bed or border, taking into account spread, height, position and colour.
If the pond is to be used for fish, then its water volume will need to be calculated in order to provide a suitable environment for marine life, influencing the eventual shape and size of your pond.
Betta Square Pond Planting Basket
View ProductIf you are aiming to attract wildlife, you should ensure that your pond has some natural or artificial access points (both in and out, so that small animals or even pets don't get trapped). A slope of pebbles at one edge of the pond is ideal, while a plank of wood or strategically placed rocks or stones will also work.
Wildlife will tend to make their own way to a pond without much encouragement. However, if you have fish in a pond it won't really be compatible as a wildlife pond, as the fish will prey on everything else.
What Size of Pond Should You Go For?
To ensure good water quality, a goldfish pond will require a surface area of at least 5 square metres at a depth of 60cm, creating a volume of 3 cubic metres - which is 3000 litres. Koi ponds will require a much greater volume of water: in most cases around 5500 litres.
There are no limitations on the size of ornamental or aquatic ponds, other than the available space and construction methods. If marginal plants are to be grown, then a perimeter shelf 30cm wide x 25cm deep should be included.
EasyPond 30000 Sunken Garden Pond Kit - 9m x 7m
View ProductIn terms of attracting wildlife, even a mini pond made from washing basin can be inviting to water-loving creatures, but the larger the pond the more space they will have for basking, breeding, hiding from predators and whatever else they might get up to.
The size of your pond will also be influenced by aesthetic taste and budget.
What Shape Should Your Pond Be?
Determining shape and style is the fun part of designing a garden pond. The type of pond you decide to use can depend heavily on the size, shape and style of your garden. A more formal pond with a geometric shape is best suited to a patio or decking area; often as a centrepiece. A raised pond is perfect for a smaller space such as a balcony or patio.
An irregular shaped informal design will be more suited to spacious gardens. This type of pond is generally sunk into the garden for a more natural effect, using marginal plants to blend in with the surrounding environs. It is often useful to lay out a rope or hose in the garden in the shape of your pond to get an idea of how the finished project will look, and to see how it complements the existing garden layout.
Premium Pond 1.2m x 1.2m
View ProductConstructing a Garden Pond
Raised ponds can be made from bricks, concrete blocks or stone for a robust permanent fixture. Timber constructions using interlocking boards or railway sleepers provide a lightweight sturdy construction, equally capable of containing a large volume of water.
Sunken ponds will require some excavation before fitting a suitable liner, but the removed earth can be used for a rockery or landscaping.
All pond designs will require a liner to create a watertight seal, with a number of options available according to your design. Sunken ponds can use a rigid pre-cast liner which requires you to make the hole to fit the shape.
Garden Pond Liners
View ProductA flexible liner can be used for all types of pond, forming the exact shape of your design. Flexible liners are available in PVC in a range of thicknesses, or butyl rubber membrane for more ambitious projects.
Pumps and Filters
In order to maintain water quality and avoid stagnation it is necessary to aerate your pond. A pump will circulate the water, prevent it from becoming settled and add additional oxygen (vital for sustaining fish and plant life in a marine environment).
A filter can be added to the pump to remove dirt particles and fish and plant waste. These can be installed as a submersible all-in-one unit or as separate pump and pressure filter devices. Most pressure filters incorporate a “backwash” facility to clean the system safely.
Ultra violet light sterilizers can be fitted to reduce algae and waterborne pathogens.
Mighty Mite Pond Pump 3000
View ProductWater Features
Pond pumps have the capability to support a wide variety of water feature attachments. Depending on your pond design, these may range from a simple fountain or an ornamental pump housing to a waterfall or cascade built into the landscaping. Elaborate outdoor lighting systems are also available to add an extra level to your design, providing a subtle display of light, colour and shade.
A subtle combination of pond style, landscaping and choice of construction materials can be brought together to create your own idea of a water garden, whether it be traditional or contemporary.
