water gardening

Site selection: The site should ideally be partially sun. This means that preferably there is sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon. This will keep the pond from getting too hot in the summer. This also helps prevent the birds from going out of control.

Hard or soft liner? In my experience, a soft liner works best. The rigid liner is preformed and is not easy to level. When installing preformed liners, many liners are built into factory shelves and on various levels. Dig a hole larger than the total surface size and overall depth of the pond. This makes a lot of digging. Once the digging floor is level, install the liner and start backfilling. Use one or more backfills to keep the liner from moving. Pack as you go. Adding a little water to the liner will help hold the liner in place while refilling. If you live in an area with sub-zero temperatures in winter, be careful: during winter, hard liners can pop out of the ground.

Soft liners provide more flexibility. Design makes it easier to hide layouts and edges.

When excavating for a soft liner installation, the shape of the pond is spray painted onto the ground and then the excavation begins. This should also be as flat as possible, but the soft liner is very tolerant and bends over even the slightest bump or plunge. To install a shelf in your pond, you can either dig a shape into the wall of the pond or use a material such as a concrete block to make the shelf. A pond fabric underlay is very important. This will protect the liner from roots and rough edges. If you are using a cinder block or other rough material to make a lathe or lathe, be sure to fill the edges well so that it does not rub against the liner itself. When installing the soft liner, level the floor (it must go into the pond) and climb up. Again adding water to the liner will add pressure and help smooth out wrinkles. If you are creating a waterfall, run a soft liner under the rocks and on the pond. Make sure it overlaps the pond well. This reduces the amount of water loss.

With a hard or soft liner, you’ll want to cover the edges with some kind of rock edging. It’s decorative if you’re using a hard liner, but a rock edging is a must if you’re using a soft liner. This will hold the liner in place and prevent the edges from moving or sliding. Use natural stones such as slate or bluestone to create a natural look, or if you want a more modern look, you can cut prefabricated concrete wall coverings to create a clean custom look.

Filter system: There are two types of biological filter systems. water and ground. Water-based systems are suitable for small ponds. The pump and filter system are located at the bottom of the pond. This system is relatively inexpensive, but has the disadvantage of getting wet when the filter needs to be cleaned (at least every other week).

Above-ground systems are more expensive but are easier to maintain once installed and are suitable for larger ponds and ponds with waterfalls. These pumps are usually stronger and can push more water than the submersible type. It is easier to replace and clean the filter.

When cleaning the filter system, whether on the ground or in a pond, do not clean the entire filter system at once. There is usually one or more filter pads or filter media chambers. Clean half at a time. You want to maintain a supply of beneficial bacteria to your filter system. Beneficial bacteria help filter out things like chlorine and waste. It will also deter algae.

Eat fish: If you want to keep fish in your pond, the center should be 24′ – 30 inches deep to allow the fish to winter. It also provides a cool place for the fish in the summer. A biological filter is also essential. Start with small, inexpensive fish. The fish will grow to fit the size of the pond and you will lose a few from time to time. Unless you’re an experienced water gardener, I don’t recommend spending $80.00 on a special carp. Koi are beautiful, but also dirty fish, which produce more waste than regular goldfish.

Taking care of fish: Neutralize the chlorine in the water before putting the fish into the pond. Fish hate goats! I recommend letting the pond settle for a few weeks and letting the filter system grow some beneficial bacteria before adding the fish. When adding fish, wait at least an hour for the fish to acclimate to the water temperature, then open the bag and pour it into the pond. This will allow the fish to slowly change the temperature and reduce the chance of shock. Applying a stress coat to the water will help reduce stress. This covers the fish and reduces stress. Another fatal problem with fish is high nitrates. Reading about the water chemistry of your pond will help you a lot.

Pond plants are also good for ponds. They provide the fish with shade and a source of food. There are floating plants such as water lettuce, water hyacinth, anacaris and water lily. There are also wetland plants. These are grown in special pots and sit on ledges in ponds such as Iris, Cannas and Cat Tails. There are dozens of different types of pond plants. This will add aesthetic beauty to the pond. It will also create a habitat for frogs and turtles.

This sounds like a lot of work, but it’s actually just a lot of information. Installing and balancing a pond will be a joy. Place a bench near the pond to enjoy the tranquility of the pond in your backyard and relax.

There are many ready-to-install pond kits that will make creating a pond faster and easier than you can imagine. In most garden centers, you can find a range of sizes to meet your specific needs.