A garden pond makes a tranquil feature, a perfect wildlife habitat or even a place to swim. Follow our guide to installing and planting the perfect pool.
There are many things gardeners can do to benefit wildlife, but one thing makes the biggest difference of alland that’s having a pond. Watching wildlife use and enjoy a garden pond is a great delight, but that’s just part of the attraction. Ponds are sought-after features in their own right, bringing the relaxing sound and movement of water, soothing reflections and an opportunity to grow wonderful, water-loving plants.
Don’t be daunted by the prospect of building a pond. Thorough planning and a little hard work are all that are required for you to reap the benefits for years to come. But the first big decision you must make is about its style. There are many, ranging from the clean lines of a formal pond to the blurred edges of an informal pool.
While formal ponds look smart and suit certain gardens, a natural-looking pond will be more wildlife-friendly, because shallow beach areas and other features that benefit pond life can be incorporated into its design. Another option you might wish to consider is a natural swimming pond. Firms such as The Swimming Pond Company and GartenArt can advise on the specialist installation these ponds require, whereby filtration plants in a separate zone keep the water clear.
Where should I site my garden pond?
Choosing the right spot for your garden pond is essential. If your garden slopes, site the pond lower down and it will look more natural. Ponds need a sunny open location. Avoid positioning them underneath trees since tree roots will make digging the pond more difficult and could cause subsequent issues with the liner, plus deciduous trees will shed their leaves into the water every autumn.
The size of your garden pond is entirely dependent on how much room is available, but aim for something that’s in proportion with the surrounding garden. The deepest point should be at least 60-90cm, if possible. This provides enough depth for plants such as waterlilies to flourish, and, if you intend to keep fish, enough water for them to survive winter, when the top of the pond may freeze over. A shallow pond can also get too warm in summer, encouraging algae.
When it comes to digging the pond, it can be done by hand if it’s not too large, otherwise it may be easier to hire a mini-digger. Start by marking the outline on the ground. Strip the turf and stack it to one side – it can be used later to finish off the edges. Incorporate a gradual slope at one end to create a beach that wildlife such as hedgehogs and frogs can use to climb in and out of the water – this will also make the perfect bathing spot for birds.
You should also add features that allow your garden pond to be planted up. Waterlilies like to be planted deeply and will sit on the base of the pond, but marginal plants prefer to paddle in the shallows. Incorporate shelves at differing heights around the edges of your pond to rest these on.
A boggy area at the pond’s margin, meanwhile, affords an opportunity to grow some of the most colourful pond plants. Extend the liner over the edge of the pond to cover a sunken area, then construct a ridge to separate the boggy area fromthe rest of the pond. Pierce the liner in a few places so water does drain, but slowly, then fill with spoil.
How should I fill my pond?
Add water to the pond at least two weeks before you plan to plant it or introduce fish. Tap water needs a fortnight to settle and to allow chemicals such as chlorine to disperse. It’s also a good idea to beg a bucket of water from a more established pond to pour into your brand-new one. Doing so will introduce the microscopic life that will transform a sterile pond into a thriving ecosystem.
With the right amount and mix of plants, and few fish, ponds can be kept clear naturally. But if fish waste and rotting vegetation build up, water can quickly turn green and cloudy. A pond filter sieves out waste as the water is drawn through it by a pump. Look for low-wattage pumps so electricity bills don’t soar, and remember that all garden electricity needs to be professionally installed.
If you want to install a fountain, you will need a pump to power it, although some pumps will run a filter and a fountain simultaneously. Fountains create that relaxing tinkling water sound, but most aquatic plants, particularly waterlilies, dislike moving water, so don’t plant them in its vicinity.
The next step is the most exciting part: planting up your pond.
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