How to Landscape With Backyard Ponds & Gazebos

Gazebos add grace to the garden.

Turn a boring backyard into an inviting outdoor living space where you can unwind, relax and spend time with family and friends. Create your oasis of comfort by putting in water features and a sheltering gazebo. For a water feature, add a fountain, waterfall or pond--they can inject a soothing note to the garden. Building a gazebo or installing a garden pond are easy weekend projects for the experienced do-it-yourself homeowner.

Things You'll Need

• Landscape stone
• Pool liner
• Filter
• Pump
• Shovel or small tractor
• Flat board
• Gazebo kit or lumber
• Trapdoor snails
• Goldfish
• Tadpoles

Instructions

1. Sketch a layout of your backyard, making note of established trees, outbuildings and property lines. Take photos of the property. Visit an aquascape contractor or home and garden supply centers for design ideas and estimates for the cost of materials.

2. Build a gazebo--a structure, octagonal in shape, to provide shade, shelter, a point of ornamental interest and a delightful place to rest and relax--to enhance the enjoyment of your backyard. Wood and vinyl gazebo kits or plans are available at building supply stores; you also can design your own solitude spot. Plant flowering vines or climbing roses to soften the lines of the structure.

3. Pay attention to the location of the pond or pool. Design the size and shape of your pond to complement established trees, shrubs and other garden features. Ponds designed to fit into an existing landscape provide the most natural look. Pumps, filters and other mechanics should be concealed in a manner that allows easy access for maintenance and repairs.

4. Select the type of stone or river boulders you wish to incorporate in your pool design. Gather or purchase the stone, pond liner and support equipment including pump, filter, plumbing parts, heater and skimmer. Pond liners are available in pre-formed shapes or soft materials that conform to your own design.

5. Excavate the area for the pond using a No. 10 shovel. (Enlist the services of an excavating contractor or rent equipment if a sizable pond is in your plans.) Level the edges using a flat board. Smooth the sides and bottom of the pond, removing roots and rocks. Line the pond with a flexible heavy plastic liner. Fill the pond and install the pump. Create a rock border around the pond to hold the liner in place and add visual interest. Attach, secure and conceal the water hose. Landscape the pond area with moisture-loving plants.

6. Place low-voltage or solar-powered landscape lighting around the pond or pool. Use landscape lights to highlight trees and shrubs, adding dramatic interest and defining walkways or landscape features. Solar lights are available from home and garden centers in a diverse array of sizes, heights, colors and styles to meld with your home's decor.

7. Add aquatic life to your water garden or habitat pond. Bullfrog tadpoles can be purchased from landscape-pond supply centers. Bullfrogs will help control insects as well as add their enchanting bass notes to the melody to the pond. Add visual interest and color by adding hardy goldfish or carp to the pond habitat. Snails help control algae and are entertaining to watch. Purchase Japanese Black Trapdoor snails (Viviparis malleatus) from your pond supply store. Do not add snails caught in the wild to your pond. You could inadvertently add a fungus or infection to your pond by introducing wildlife.

Tips & Warnings

• Control rainfall and storm runoff by building a rain garden to slow the stormwater as it travels downhill. Rain gardens, by their design, location and plant selection, serve to slow down runoff, giving stormwater more time to infiltrate the soil and less opportunity to cause erosive damage to the landscape. A rain garden is simply a collection of plants and rocks situated in a spot in the garden where water pools during a rainstorm. Select woody shrubs, herbaceous perennials or trees to plant in the depression. Top dress the soil at the base of the plants with coarse gravel. Use large stones to complete your design. Water will collect in the gravel pool and slowly seep into the soil.

• Do not locate your pond or pool under the canopy of trees. Remember to consider the sizes your trees will reach at maturity. Tree roots can damage pond liners and water lines. Many plants have toxins that are harmful to the ecosystem of the pond or water garden. Do not plant elderberry, boxwood, caladiums, calla lilies or crocus near the water source. There are literally hundreds of plants that can be poisonous to your pond. Consult with a water-garden plant supplier before choosing plants to place in close proximity to your pond.

References

• Rain Garden Design Templates: What Is A Rain Garden
• Landscaping Ideas Online: Landscaping - Building a Backyard Pond The Smart Way
• Kountrylife.com: Creating a Backyard Habitat Pond