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Pond Gardens Made Easy: Step-by-Step Guide

Pond gardens aren't difficult to construct, thanks to recent developments in pond construction materials and preformed units. Even installation of water garden features should pose no problem. Once established, pond gardens require minimal maintenance.

Getting Started: Practical Considerations

First, find out whether you need planning permission to build a pond garden. Contact your local zoning board for advice. Also, check with your insurance company to ensure that you have adequate coverage for constructing a garden pond.

Type and Size of Pond Garden

The size and style depend on the content of your pond. Do you want to populate your pond garden with fish? If so, what type of fish—small or large? Bear in mind that goldfish as well as koi carp can grow quite large, even in a limited space! A koi pond, for instance, should have at least a thousand-gallon capacity.

Or would you prefer a combination of goldfish and plants or a predominantly plant-oriented pond garden? Your decision will influence the size of your pond.

Pond Garden Location

You'll want to enjoy your pond garden, at every opportunity, so don't tuck it away out of sight.

Opt for a site that isn't too close to trees to avoid problems with falling leaves. Keep it away from sources of contaminated water and debris that may overflow into the pond garden, killing your stock.

Sun and shade are also important considerations. Fish favor a shady location. Water garden plants prefer several hours per day of direct sunlight.

Also consider ease of access to water, plumbing and electricity supplies. Remember, electricity is essential for operating pumps, filters, pond skimmers, lights or any other fish pond accessories such as garden waterfalls and fountains.

Finally, make sure that your chosen location benefits from decent drainage.

Pond Liners: Preformed or Flexible?

Preformed liners are usually made of fiberglass or reinforced plastic and are relatively easy to install. Flexible liners range from polythene, the cheapest and least durable, through PVC and LDPE to butyl, the most expensive and durable. Liner underlay is advisable when using flexible liners.

Pond Gardens on a Budget
Consider creating a small pond from a waterproof container that costs you nothing. Instead, invest your limited budget in unusual, eye-catching water garden plants.

Want a Pond Garden in a Weekend?

So, you've chosen the site for your garden pond and you're ready to go. Here's how:

Mark the outline of your pond, using a rope or garden twine. Avoid harsh, straight lines, at all costs. Aim to create a naturally curving perimeter that blends with the surrounding environment.
Calculate the required depth, based on the proposed content of your pond garden. For example, a goldfish pond should be approximately two feet deep, a koi pond at least three feet or deeper.
To calculate the size of the pond liner, measure the length and width, then add twice the depth, plus a generous amount for overlap.
Dig the hole, starting with the perimeter of the pond. Build in a ledge approximately one foot deep and one foot wide around the edge of the pond.
Bed in external filters, pumps, pond skimmers, garden waterfalls alongside the pond. Dig a small trench to accommodate plumbing and wiring.
If using a preformed liner, place a two- to three-inch layer of soft sand in the base of the hole. Flexible lining should be molded firmly to the shape of the pond to remove air pockets and wrinkles. Bury the edges of the liner either by covering with soil and paving slabs or by digging a small trench around the edge of the pond, firming the liner edge into the hole, covering with soil and planting with moisture-loving plants.
Fill your pond with water. Whether rainwater or tap water is better for pond gardens depends on the purity of your water supply and the level of chemicals in the water.
Finally, add a de-chlorinator and formula bacteria to the water.

How to Calculate the Size of a Pond Liner
Base your calculation on the size of the longest and widest parts of the pond.

Length = length + (2 x maximum depth) + overlap

Width = width + (2 x maximum depth) + overlap

Stocking Pond Gardens

Now for the fun stage of building pond gardens! Resist the temptation to rush things, where fish are concerned. Koi or goldfish should be introduced, a few at a time, once the water has settled.

Water garden plants, on the other hand, should be planted as soon as possible. Popular aquatic plants include: anacharis, Canadian pondweed, hair grass, hornwort, lotus, startwort, water lily and water violet.

Did you know that . . .
. . . stocking a koi pond with suitable plants can be a bit of a headache, as koi carp are rather partial to certain aquatic plants, particularly anacharis?

Garden Ponds: Accessories

Fountains, streams, garden waterfalls and cascades all look great in pond gardens. All are available in easy to install kits for busy gardeners.

Pond Garden Maintenance

Pond gardens are surprisingly easy to maintain, as long as water levels are kept topped up, especially in hot weather. Avoid stagnation and promote water circulation with a submersible water pump and water filters.

Water garden plants, in general, require less routine care than other garden plants. Pond fish, likewise, demand less attention than fish housed in aquariums.

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