Building A Small Backyard Pond
Make sure that wildlife can get in and out by using bricks rocks or logs to create stepping stones in and out of the pond.
Building a small backyard pond. People and wildlife alike enjoy ponds and even a relatively small water feature can bring life sound and beauty to your home but before you start digging there are a few things you should ponder before building your pond. Designing and constructing your own garden pond can seem a little daunting particularly if you re not sure where to start. When the hole is dug make sure there aren t any stones or sharp objects that could puncture the lining. Small ponds benefit from partial shade since high water temperatures promote excessive algae growth and increase water evaporation.
How wide it will be depends on the space you have in your garden. Even a mini pond can be a hazard for small children so position it where it will be safe. Leaves and needles can contaminate the water and accumulate on the bottom of the pond blocking the pump and filtration system. Decide how big your pond will be when building small ponds the ponds will need to be at least 2 feet 0 5 m deep.
Dig your pond so the the edges gradually taper down if possible. At a minimum a miniature pond should be 3 feet a little under 1 m across but 4 feet a bit over 1 m or more would be better. Avoid large trees and areas subject to strong winds. Water garden have provided a comprehensive step by step guide to building an informal pond below.
Ideally the pond should be positioned in an area which is in partial shade. Keeping it attractive and trouble free takes work but with a little extra care at the planning and building stages you can create a pond that s almost maintenance free. A backyard garden pond with running water floating plants and darting fish can make a bland space breathtaking. Diy backyard pond ideas can run the gamut from simple container water gardens to elaborate man made lakes.
Building your own small pond. So we asked professional backyard pond builders and longtime pond owners for their best advice on avoiding problems and maintenance. Then spread a thin layer of builder s sand over the bottom of the pond and cover it with a pond liner that s at least 4 feet larger than the pond itself. Even in warmer climates small ponds can change temperature rapidly so if you re adding fish you ll want a deeper pond that will maintain a more consistent temperature and accommodate the fish 18 to 24 inches for goldfish and at least 3 feet for koi.
To maintain the consistent depth of the water you need to line the pond. To build a backyard pond start by using a spade or excavator to dig out the pond so it s at least 7 feet by 4 feet across and 1 5 feet deep.