How to Build a Small Backyard Pond
A small pond in the back yard helps create a soothing and calm atmosphere, especially if you add a small fountain or waterfall to the pond to provide the sound of running water. While building larger ponds may require the use of heavy earth-moving equipment, you'll only need a shovel to dig out the area for a small pond. You can install a relaxing water feature in your back yard in next to no time--and at quarter the cost of hiring a professional landscaper. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Survey the area where you want the pond. Sprinkle a line of sand to outline the pond's borders. The pond should have two or three levels with the deepest level, at 24 inches, making up about 40 percent of the pond. The shallows should grade from 24 inches to around 12 inches deep. Dig out the pond.
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Dig a small recess on the side of the pond in the shallow area big enough to house the pump and deep enough so that the pump will be submerged in water.
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Line the entire pond with about an inch of sand to cushion the pond liner. Place the pond liner over the pond. Press it into the deep section first. Fill the deep section with water, which will weight the pond liner down.
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Spread the pond liner over the shallows. Place stones on top at intermittent points. Secure the pond liner along the border with stones and trim off any excess.
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Place the pump into the pump recess. Camouflage it with stones on and around the recess. Fill the pond with water. Make sure the pump is at least 2 inches below the surface of the water. Plug in the pump.
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Tips & Warnings
To make a fountain or waterfall in your pond, connect hosing to the pump that runs to a fountain top (available at garden or landscaping outlets) placed in the shallows. Similarly, hosing running from the pump to a waterfall weir at the edge of the pond will create a small waterfall feature.
If you plan to put fish in the pond, buy a pump with an in-built filter. Koi need a pond of at least 1,000 gallons, so goldfish are better suited to a small backyard pond.
Put water plants in and around you pond for a natural look.
References
- Photo Credit fish pond image by Pawel Dowgiallo from Fotolia.com
