| Building a garden pond is not just a matter of | | | | extra around the outside and start digging. If using |
| digging a hole, lining it with plastic and filling it with | | | | liners, measure your outline keeping in mind the |
| water. There are other considerations such as | | | | size of the liner you will be using. Building a garden |
| whether it should contain fish or just plants; how | | | | pond that will last for years means that all debris |
| big or small it should be; its shape, and so on. Be | | | | should be removed from the cavity to avoid |
| prepared to dig a decent hole and spend many | | | | punctures to the bottom of the pond. Once the |
| hours complaining about your aching back ... but | | | | hole is the required depth and size, add the prefab |
| you'll be very pleased with the results and you | | | | or lay the lining. Fill to about one quarter capacity |
| can happily stand around, beer in hand, praising | | | | with water so that the weight will keep the pond |
| your efforts after the fact. For those who have | | | | in place as you refill the gaps with soil. |
| done it, building a garden pond can be a very | | | | Step 4 - Decoration |
| satisfying project indeed. | | | | You can now add plants, rocks, bark and stone |
| Step 1 - Decide on where to build your pond. | | | | around the 'banks' of the pond for a more natural |
| Naturally, level ground would be best or else you'll | | | | appearance. If you intend to add fish, plants that |
| spend far more time and effort doing the levelling | | | | overhang into the water will be useful as shade |
| yourself. Building a garden pond under a tree is | | | | and hiding spots. |
| unwise as the roots will continue to grow and | | | | Step 5 - Add aquatic plants |
| could encroach upon the pond's territory in the | | | | If you're building a garden pond that doesn't have |
| future. The shade of the tree will also mean a | | | | a pump, you should aim for plenty of plant life to |
| lack of sunlight, which is essential to your pond's | | | | keep algae growth under control. |
| survival. Since you will need electricity for the | | | | Step 6 - Install a pump and filter |
| pump, proximity to an outlet is important. | | | | There are dozens of models on the market and |
| Step 2 - Prefabricated or do-it-yourself liner? | | | | your retailer will be able to help you decide which |
| Prefabs are the more expensive option but you | | | | size is best for your pond. Read the instructions |
| pay for ease of installation, durability and low | | | | and follow carefully, but it's generally a simple task |
| maintenance. Liners are available in different price | | | | to place the pump in the water and connect the |
| ranges and generally speaking, the more you pay, | | | | hose to it. The filter needs to be positioned in |
| the longer your liner will last. | | | | front of the pump to encourage water through |
| Step 3 - Installation | | | | the filter first. Building a garden pond and outfitting |
| For a prefab pond, tip it upside down on the area | | | | it should take little more than a weekend, which is |
| you've reserved, mark it out with 6 to 8 inches | | | | one of the things that makes it so rewarding. |