How to Make a Cheap Pond
Pond liners can be expensive to purchase, especially the prefabricated types. Buying rocks and stones to adorn a pond can also become pricey, especially, when you factor in the cost of plants and other ground cover to compliment the rocks around the pond. But creating a pond to enhance your home's landscape does not have to cost a lot of money. In fact, with a little creativity and some sweat equity, you can make a cheap pond that will look like you spent a fortune. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Heavy-duty tarp
- Shovel
- Scissors
- Rocks from around your yard
- Plants found around your yard
Instructions
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Choose a location for your pond. Take the time to really think about where the pond will be viewed from and where it will be most appreciated. Size is also important, so carefully consider how big you would like the pond to be.
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Purchase a heavy-duty tarp that will be large enough to line the pond and also create an overhang. The tarp will need to rest inside the hole that will become your pond and also come up and over the edges that surround the hole, by at least 6 inches. The color of the tarp will determine the color of the water in your pond. A natural-looking pond will require a brown or black tarp.
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Dig the hole using a strong shovel. A pond that is simply being used to enhance a landscape does not have to be very deep. However, if you plan on adding a few fish, koi for example, you will need to dig down at least a foot or two in order to give them room to grow and enough depth to survive under the ice during the winter. As you dig, place the dirt in a wheelbarrow because you will need to use it later.
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Smooth out the inside of the hole. Just because the tarp is heavy duty, does not mean it is puncture proof. Remove any sharp rocks or sticks that may be protruding from the hole, before they have a chance to put a hole in your liner. A tarp that has a hole in it will not hold water.
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Unfold the heavy-duty tarp and lay it over the hole. Smooth out the tarp using your hands and adjust it so that there is an even amount of overhang all around. With a pair of scissors cut off any excess tarp that exceeds 6 inches around the circumference of the pond.
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Use the dirt from the wheelbarrow to conceal the edges of the tarp. Carefully place the dirt over the edges, being careful not to get it inside the hole, or your water will be muddy. Pat the dirt down with your hand to make it compact and level it out to meet the surrounding earth.
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Take a stroll around your yard and collect rocks and stones that will look appealing along the edge of the pond to give it a natural look. You may also want to search near riverbeds and in wooded areas around where you live for rocks and stones that will give your pond character.
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Visit your local plant nursery, or consider relocating some of the plants that are in your yard, around your pond. If you search your yard, you may be surprised to learn that there are wildflowers or clusters of plants that can be easily separated and dug up. Recycling the plants and ground coverings that you already have will save you money on the overall cost of your pond. Enjoy.
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Tips & Warnings
If you will be adding fish to your pond, consider purchasing a small pump aerator that will help to oxygenate your pond. Aerators can be found at your local plant nursery and are fairly inexpensive. The costs of pond fish vary; they can also be purchased from a nursery.
Be careful when adding a pond to your yard, especially if it is going to be a big pond or deep pond. It could be a safety hazard. Small children can drowne in only inches of water, so place your pond where it will not be easily accessible to children. If you want a larger-sized pond, check with your township to see if you will need a permit. When you are choosing rocks to adorn your pond, choose rocks that are a manageable size. If you cannot lift them easily, pass them over and look for smaller ones. Lifting heavy rocks can result in injury.
