How to Set Up a Garden Pond

Garden ponds can be any size or shape.

Few elements add luxury and serenity to a yard like a water garden. Learn how to set up a garden pond to increase the beauty of your landscaping and create a peaceful oasis on your own property. Garden ponds come in all shapes and sizes and can be home to aquatic plants and animals or simply a base for a fountain. The steps involved in creating an attractive water garden feature are simple, but do require manual labor.

Things You'll Need

• Pond liner Pond pumps and hoses Fountain mechanism (optional) Sand (optional) Shovel Pick axe Garden hose Stones, brick or pavers Aquatic plants Fish (optional)

Instructions

1. Lay a length of rope or garden hose where you want the garden pond to be. This will give you a guideline for the outer edge and since rope and hose are flexible and not permanent you can tweak as necessary. Ideally, choose a location with at least partial sun and without too many large trees and bushes nearby, roots could make digging difficult.

2. Dig the hole for the garden pond to at least 2 feet deep if you want to keep fish or other aquatic life in the pond. Create a shallower end that is about 1 foot deep for positioning plants such as water lilies and flag iris. Use a pick axe if necessary to make the hole. Cut any tree roots well back from the sides or bottom of the hole and tamp dirt back over them. Remove all rocks.

3. Lay down a thick layer of sand if necessary to smooth out the ground where your water garden liner will rest. If you are using a rigid pond liner, sand can also poured down around the sides of the liner to provide more stability and support.

4. Lay the garden pond liner in the hole, positioning it securely. A flexible pond liner should have at least a foot of overlap on the top edge of the pond. Secure the edges with heavy rocks or pavers. Be sure flexible liners are laying flat against all the sides of the hole. Fold it at the curved edges or corners as necessary for a neat fit.

5. Position garden pond pumps and filters in an accessible part of the pond. You may have to remove them for cleaning from time to time, and you want to be able to reach them easily. Attach all necessary tubes and hoses to the intake and output ports. These will depend largely on the size of the pond and if you will use a fountain or bubbler attachment. Follow manufacturer's directions for each accessory you plan to use.

6. Purchase aquatic plants and place them in the pond. Floating plants can simply be laid on the liner at this point. Potted plants should be set at the appropriate depth. Use bricks or flat rocks to raise the pots up to the required level for maximum growth and plant health.

7. Fill the pond all the way with a garden hose, making sure the floating plants rise to the surface and are right side up. Plug in any filters, fountains, pumps and lights and be sure they are working correctly. This is also the step in which you add any fish.

References

• Backyard Pond Water Garden Resource