How to Make a Small Garden Pond With No Money

A backyard pond can attract beautiful wildlife.

The serenity of a wildlife pond with bullfrogs, chirping birds, handsome rocks, overhanging grasses and the glimpse of a fish or two is enough to get most people out of the house enjoying the wildlife. A pond does not have to be large to provide a balanced functioning ecosystem, nor does it have to cost any money. Using a little creativity and education, you can create a pond that will be a welcome retreat just steps from your back door.

Things You'll Need

• Shovel
• Trash bags or polyethylene sheets
• Scissors
• Rocks
• Grasses
• Sand or gravel

Instructions

1. Find a level position for your pond, close enough to your home that the garden hose can reach it but far enough away that you don't have to worry about the extra moisture near your foundation. Choose a buffer of at least 20 feet to be safe for most situations.

2. Draw out the design of your pond with a loose piece of garden hose or string, making the popular kidney shape or any design that suits your fancy. Dig around the perimeter with a shovel to mark the outline and remove the hose or string.

3. Dig out the garden with a garden shovel. Use the removed dirt to level the banks of the pond if one side is a little lower than the other. Save some of the dirt to build up the outer edge of the pond, making it deeper as you dig. Excess dirt can be used elsewhere. A depth of 4 feet is suitable for small fish to hide from birds and shallow shelves can be designed for water plants.

4. Smooth out the surface of the pond by removing rocks, sticks and anything else that might pierce the liner. Add sand to the base of the backyard pond as it is especially suitable for a smooth liner if you have free access to it.

5. Lay out the liner of the pool. Heavy-duty garbage bags are large enough to be cut open with scissors and laid flat over the surface of the pond. Use two or three layers to provide a suitable barrier, or get 6-ml polyethylene sheets used for painting tarps. Secure the edges of the liner with rocks around the edges, leaving about six inches of it hanging over the top edge.

6. Sprinkle sand or gravel over the bottom of the pond. Add decorative rocks and plants to any shelves or shallow areas, being careful not to disturb the liner. Secure the liner in place around the edge with river rocks, bricks, slate, tile or any heavy rock-like material, hiding the liner from view.

7. Fill the pond with hose water. Allow it to sit for at least 24 hours to dissipate any chlorine and to bring it up to the surrounding air temperature.

8. Plant wild native plants around the edges. Look for grasses, cattails, day lilies, hostas, water lilies to add to the edge of your pond. Leave a small area open along the edge for easy access to the water to remove excess leaves or debris from the pond as well as for wildlife to stand and drink.

9. Add any fish or frogs that you can catch as minnows or tadpoles from local streams or bodies of water. Try using goldfish from pet supply stores but keep in mind they are attractive food for wildlife.

Tips & Warnings

• A shady tree overhead will help the algae from growing quickly.

• Build a small pier for a touch of whimsy but anchor it into the ground for safety.

• Don't use exotic fish if there is any chance they can get into a nearby stream during a heavy rain.

References

• Penn State University: Water for Wildlife: Bird Baths and Backyard Ponds
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Backyard Habitat Ponds