Small garden ponds have become a popular landscape addition in recent years. Constructing one of these ponds can be a fun do-it-yourself project and one that is not as hard as you might think. Individual preference and imagination will have the biggest influence on your overall project, but there are some basic considerations to make before you begin building a backyard pond. First off, there are two primary types of construction used in pond building. Free-form ponds are those in which a hole is excavated and then lined with a vinyl liner, cement or tile. A preformed pond, on the other hand, is a heavy-duty plastic or rubber basin that is simply placed into the excavated hole.
Free-Form Vs. Preformed Ponds
While the free-form pond allows more variation with regard to pond dimension, shape and depth, there are certain disadvantages to this method. For instance, during construction of the pond the side walls of the excavated hole will need to be shored up to prevent a cave-in during installation of the liner material. Over the life of the pond this method may require more maintenance, as cement has a tendency to crack and aquatic plants have invasive roots that may breach the liner.
The preformed shell is the easiest method of backyard pond construction. With a preformed pond all you really need to do is dig the hole, place the shell in the ground and start filling it with water. The main drawback of the preformed pond are limitations with regard to the shape and size of the pond. The selection of preformed basins at most home improvement stores will be limited to three or four basic versions, however you will find a number of accessories available to create waterfalls, fountains, reservoirs and watercourses. Connecting two or more pond shells through a series of waterways can create a more unique look. For something more dramatic than what is in stock at Home Depot or Lowe’s, many pond supply and landscaping companies carry a wider selection.
Locating Your Pond
Once you have settled on a method of construction for your pond, careful consideration should be given to choosing its location. Aquatic plants such as lilies require exposure to direct sunlight in order to bloom, but without areas that are shaded excessive water temperature can become an issue. Backyard garden ponds should not be placed under trees, however, as leaves and debris that fall into the pond can affect water quality and even poison aquatic life. If you plan to stock your pond with fish the location should be protected from predators such as cats and birds. Areas prone to standing water should also be avoided along with areas with heavy tree roots.
A small garden pond can add an extra touch of nature to your backyard landscape. Whether you are looking for a peaceful place to relax or just want to take your backyard landscaping to a new level of creativity, there’s no better time to consider the various garden pond designs that are available.
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