A pond is an interesting decorative element of the garden. Contrary to popular belief its construction is not difficult at all. It is enough to prepare for it properly.
Building a pond on your own in your own garden brings a lot of satisfaction and at the same time allows for complete freedom of arrangement. It is a multi-stage process that requires a lot of patience and precision to make sure everything is tight and functioning properly. Then you can get on with choosing aquatic plants and, possibly, fish
As a general rule, the larger the pond, the easier it is to maintain a biological balance. Ponds that are less than 10 square meters and relatively shallow (less than 40 centimeters) will heat up very quickly and the water will be poorly oxygenated. This can result in a lot more work instead of the joy of relaxing by a beautiful pond in the garden. Algae and bacteria grow quickly in small ponds. Without proper care, unpleasant smells of anaerobic fermentation can emanate from the water, so it is a good idea to think about the size parameter before you start creating your pond yourself. In the same way, you need to think about the location of your pond. The water surface should neither be exposed to long sunlight nor to excessive shade. Ideally, it should be in variable shade. When placing the pond under a tree, you also have to reckon with falling leaves that will silt up the bottom and rot. You can deal with this by removing them regularly, but this requires a lot of work
The first and most important step is to choose a pond liner. PVC pool liners work best. They are resistant to damage, frost and chemicals. In addition, they do not produce harmful substances, so you can easily raise fish and plants in the pond. After determining the place for the pond it is necessary to mark out the borders, dig and shape the body of water. Modeling the water shelves will allow you to plant a variety of plants that prefer different depths. Before lining the dug basin with the foil, prepare the ground under it – lay down a geotextile or rockwool. They will protect the foil from possible puncture by stones and growing roots. Then the foil should be laid out, starting from the lowest point of the mesh. The edges can be trimmed or hidden under stones and gravel. Then it is time to fill the tank with water, plant the plants and let the fish in. The whole process can take several days if the job is to be done right. After that, you can enjoy relaxing by your pond.
The irregular shape of the pond makes it appear larger than it really is, no matter where you sit. This can be a clever solution for owners of small gardens. You can also enhance this impression by partially obscuring the shoreline with plants. When forming such natural screens, it will be harder to see the actual end of the pond and the beginning of the soil and grass. It also gives the effect of a very cozy, natural garden without perfectly trimmed flowerbeds. If you have the opportunity to build a slightly larger pond, you might also want to consider a wooden bridge or platform that overlooks the water slightly. It will be a perfect place to rest and relax. Children will also enjoy this solution as in summer they will be able to dip their feet in the water or watch fish swimming in the pond from close up. Finally, remember to adjust the style of the pond to your own preferences and possibilities. Beautifully designed gardens that appear in gardening magazines may not look as good in reality and their maintenance may be beyond your means. The more carefully a pond is made, the less repairs and work it will require in the future.
