How to Make a Homemade Garden Pond

Garden ponds can be simple or ornate.

Garden ponds add beauty to your yard while helping to create a peaceful, soothing backyard oasis. Homemade garden ponds can be as simple or intricate as you like; they can include fish, waterfalls, fountains, aquatic plants and other decorative touches. An average garden pond is about 11 by 16 feet, while smaller ponds can be about 6 by 8 feet. Choose a pond size that will complement your backyard space and not overwhelm it.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Rope
• Limestone
• Masonry sand
• Rake
• Geotextile fabric
• Pond liner
• Garden hose
• Pond hose and pump kit
• Coping stones
• River rock

Instructions

1. 

   Make a pond perimeter with rope.

   Choose a location for your pond. Use rope or a garden hose to help establish the perimeter and then line the perimeter with limestone and begin digging with your shovel. Dig to about 16 inches; dig another 10 inches down in the pond's center to use for your pump.

2. Line the bottom of the pond, including the center pit with masonry sand and use a rake to create a smooth surface. Place geotextile fabric over the sand, which will protect the pond liner. Sand and the fabric act as a cushion for rubber pond liner and help protect it from getting punctured.

3. Take the rubber pond liner and fold it lengthwise, center it over the pit and unfold it. The liner should equally overlap on all sides. With hands and bare feet gently press the liner into the hole, then use the garden hose to fill the hole with water, which will keep it in place.

4. 

   Use smaller stones to fill in gaps.

   Stack stones along the pond floor, including the bottom of the pit, and use small stones to fill any large gaps. Take the pump hose and set it so it "extends from the center pit at the top of the hole." Gently place lighter stones over the hose and connect the hose to the pond pump. Place the pump in the pit.

5. 

   Fill pond with your garden hose.

   Connect the pump's power cord to a GFCI-protected electrical outlet with a waterproof cover that will protect the cord. The cord can run in between rocks and stones. Start filling the pond with your garden hose.

6. 

   Aquatic plants make lovely additions to your pond.

   Place large, flat rocks (coping stones) around the perimeter of your pond. Bail any dirty water from the pit. Add fish, aquatic plants or any other decorative touches you see fit.

Tips & Warnings

• If you wish to make a waterfall, shape the removed dirt into a mound at the rear of your pond and stack coping stones on top. Waterfall kits are available for purchase at your local garden supply store.

• Always measure the pond exactly before purchasing pond liner.

• Talk to an electrician to make sure your pump and power cord are safely installed to avoid electric shock and injury.

References

• Boundary CA: How To Build A Backyard Pond
• Popular Mechanics: How To Build A Pond
• Backyard Spaces: Build A Backyard Pond

Resources

• YouTube: Building a Backyard Pond