Do-it-yourself pond tips

by Lisa Burns on 03/18/10

Did you know that water gardening is the fastest growing segment in the landscape/garden industry? Although professional installers are available, with a bit of research & some hard work you can create a beautiful water garden yourself. If you are thinking about adding a pond to your yard there are several things you should consider.

 

Koi Pond or Water Garden

The first question to ask yourself is what style of water feature you would like to have. The two most popular types are water gardens & Koi ponds. A water garden, with it’s main focus on water lilies and lined with rocks, will blend into your landscape seamlessly with it‘s edges softened by marginal plants. Water gardens have shelves and are usually 2’ at the deepest point. A Koi pond may appear formal with straight sides to keep predators out, no rock inside the pond & a depth of 3’ to 6’. Koi ponds are built with sophisticated filter systems to help keep your Koi healthy.

 

Location, location…

Try to locate your pond away from large leaf dropping trees. Shade trees may make a nice backdrop but they will cause headaches when it comes to keeping your pond clean. A front yard may not be the best choice for a Koi pond in a crowded neighborhood where children are present. Before you begin to dig lay out a garden hose or a rope to form the basic size & shape of your pond. Water gardens can be created using preform tubs, liners or concrete. The most popular, cost effective & durable is EPDM rubber liner, which conforms to any shape.

 

Dig in!

If you are installing a water garden, you will want shelves for bog and marginal plants, start in the center digging the deepest level first. A Koi pond with its straight deep sides will need additional support. Once you have dug your Koi pond, build a ‘frame” inside the pond using cement block & rebar to hold the dirt back. Do not forget to dig a trench for your plumbing from your pond to your waterfall. Remember, you should always contact your local utility companies before digging.

 

Keep it clean

Filtration is an important part of a Koi pond and should be considered for your water garden as well. There are many types of filtration systems. A good Koi pond filter system should include a bottom drain, skimmer, external bio filter & an external pump while a water garden may use a simple submersed pump & filter. You should research this area by talking to a local pond expert or joining a local pond club. Most ponders love to share their experiences with others.

 

You have a pond, now what?

There is no such thing as a maintenance free pond but you can have a pond that is easy to maintain. A well-built pond with proper filtration that is not overstocked or overfed may require 10-20 minutes of maintenance once a week.