Steps for Building a Backyard Pond

Take you garden one step further with the addition of a pond.  Most gardeners build ponds to either house aquatic plants or fish – or both!

The most common mistake a gardener can make when designing a pond is making it too small. A too-small pond limits the total number of fish and plants that your pond can accommodate. Always remember: bigger is always better when it comes to ponds!

The following steps will help you make your pond vision a reality:

• Decide what kind of pond you want to create. If you want your pond to house koi fish, keep in mind that you’ll need a fairly large pond, at least three feet deep and no less than 1,000 gallons in volume. You will also be limited to the kind of aquatic plants that you put in your pond, as koi eat certain aquatic plants.

If you want to have goldfish in your pond, you can also easily have a nice variety of aquatic plants. A goldfish pond should be at least two feet deep for milder climates and even deeper for colder climates, as you will need to have at least 12 to 16 inches of water below the freezing zone.

• Select the location of your pond. Ideally, your pond will be close to your home so that you can enjoy it year-round.  A pond generally attracts a nice variety of wildlife, such as birds and butterflies, so keep it nearby so you can enjoy it from your kitchen window.

Keep your pond away from rain run-off, which can be mixed with fertilizers and chemicals that can poison your fish and plants. Also keep your pond away from trees, if possible, to reduce the amount of leaves and debris in your pond.

If you plan on growing water lilies in your, pond then you’ll need to make sure your water garden receives at least four to six hours of sunlight every day.  A shaded area is ideal for fish-only ponds.

• Use a rope to lay out the shape of your pond on the ground. Keep in mind that if you have the space to go bigger, then by all means do it! A larger pond is more stable and easier to maintain than a smaller one.
• Excavate the pond to the desired shape. You may want to employ the services of a general contractor or landscape contractor to help you with this task, especially if you are planning a large pond.
• Position your external pond filters and pond skimmers into place.
• Line the pond with pond underlayment and cut it to size.
• Place the rubber pond liner evenly into the pond and try to smooth out any folds and wrinkles.
• Connect the pond liner to the skimmer and position the pipe or tubing in place, making sure to leave a few extra inches to make your connections later on.
• Place stones around the edge of the pool and backfill with soil to properly secure the liner. Larger stones will stay in place, while smaller stones may need to be mortared into place.
• Add de-chlorinate to the pond to remove the chlorine.
• Add your aquatic plants immediately, including anacharis for algae-prevention.
• Add your fish within a week or two.

Within a few weeks, you will truly enjoy a beautiful pond, filled with fish, plants, and visiting wildlife.  A pond is a beautiful addition to any backyard, adding a splash of magic to the outdoor experience.