Making A Backyard Pond

Start your pond by marking out the position on the ground.

Making a backyard pond. Designing and constructing your own garden pond can seem a little daunting particularly if you re not sure where to start. Diy backyard pond ideas can run the gamut from simple container water gardens to elaborate man made lakes. To build a backyard pond start by using a spade or excavator to dig out the pond so it s at least 7 feet by 4 feet across and 1 5 feet deep. Ideally the pond should be positioned in an area which is in partial shade.

It is thought that some amphibians such as frogs are now more common in garden ponds than in the countryside. A wildlife pond is one of the single best features for attracting new wildlife to the garden. Place flat stones on the edge of the liner to hold it in place. You can build a pond at any time during the year but if you start in autumn or late winter.

Ensure non hardy aquatic plants are moved into a garage house or green house. But we ll give you some helpful points on placement size and materials. A backyard pond can add color and life to any landscape and it s a diy project that just about anyone can complete. Water garden have provided a comprehensive step by step guide to building an informal pond below.

Then spread a thin layer of builder s sand over the bottom of the pond and cover it with a pond liner that s at least 4 feet larger than the pond itself. People and wildlife alike enjoy ponds and even a relatively small water feature can bring life sound and beauty to your home but before you start digging there are a few things you should ponder before building your pond. When your liner is in place it s time to add water to your pond. Ponds are fascinating for children supervised pond dips are the perfect way to teach them about the lives of amphibians and other animals.

Illustration by gregory nemec. A backyard garden pond with running water floating plants and darting fish can make a bland space breathtaking. We ll show you how to build a pond or water feature with a waterfall to give your backyard beauty and serenity. For more hardy plants make sure your pond is deep enough for the anticipated weather in your area or move them to lower levels if necessary.

Use a garden hose for an informal shaped pond or canes and string for formal designs as in our example below. A pond aerator will also help to introduce dissolved oxygen back into the pond and help restore a balanced ecosystem. Before you start call 811 or your local one call center to have electric and gas lines marked so you know where to dig to steer clear of them.