How to Build a Garden Pond

I simply love garden ponds. They are a beautiful feature in any garden and the soft tinkling sound of running water in the background is really peaceful, soothing and cooling in the summer.

When we bought our house about ten years ago, the garden was in such a bad and neglected state that it was virtually nonexistent. In one sense, this was a good thing because it meant that we could plan it from scratch. I instantly knew that one feature I really had to have was a garden pond. As we are a rather DIY family, there was no question that this would be a DIY project.

So, how do you go about making a small garden pond on your own?

The pictures shown here are of my garden pond, taken by me

There are basically two ways to build your garden pond.

The first is to draw the shape you want for your pond on the ground and then dig a hole in this shape which you will line with a special pond liner before filling it with water.

The second way which is the one I opted for and which I think is easier, faster and more reliable is to buy a plastic garden pond and landscape around it. Here is how to do it:

The first step is to choose your garden pond from the many sizes and shapes available.

This 60-gallon plastic garden pond is a very good choice for small to medium gardens. It has a nice interesting, natural looking shape and the flat bottom is a nice stable platform to place your filter pump and any plants you may want to have. There is a second, shallower level for more aquatic plants.You can place it either above or below ground and it is safe both for plants and fish.

After you have chosen and bought your plastic pond, the second step is to find the spot in your garden where you would like to place it. There is no general rule on that, but as a garden pond is likely to be a focal point in most gardens, you should try to find a rather central spot, in full view from both the garden and the house. It should also be near a power outlet in order to accommodate the pump and lighting, unless you are using solar power.

Place the plastic pond on the ground and draw a rough outline around it. Dig a hole deep enough and large enough to accomodate the pond, without worrying too much about getting the shape perfect. Just dig an oblong hole a little larger and slightly shallower than the pond. You want the rim of the pond to be just above ground when you put it in.

Place your pond inside the hole and start filling the space around it with earth, making sure that you have the pond level. Now slowly fill the pond with water, packing some more earth around it if needed. Place the pump and lights on the bottom and connect to the power outlet. Add a few aquatic plants and even some fish (e.g. koi or other types of goldfish) if you like.

You can place some rocks or colored pebbles around the rim of the pond to make it look more natural or even build a rock garden around it. Plant the surrounding area with flowers and small shrubs, making sure that you choose plants that won't grow too tall and bushy and hide the pond from view.

Fish are a wonderful idea for a garden pond as well. Some large goldfish species like Koi are perfect for garden ponds, although you should take care to prevent your pond from freezing over in winter.

Placing a pump in your pond not only keeps the water clean but with the various fountain heads provided in the kits, you can have beautiful waterfall patterns in your pond. A submersible light is also a great idea, as it will light up your pond at night and provide you with an extremely beautiful and soothing sight.