How to Make a Pond

Dig a pond. With small ponds, digging with a shovel is easiest. Please note the following when digging:

• If you want to support plant and animal growth, your pond must be deep enough so that it doesn’t get too cold in the winter. If you live in a cold climate, you should dig a pond about 1-1.5m deep so that the animals can survive the winter.
• The pond should have a gentle slope like a beach so the animals can crawl out because if the pond is only full of steep cliffs, they may drown in the pond.
• When digging, collect the excavated soil into a pile and keep it for use as a pond bank.
• When digging is complete, remove all rocks with sharp and sharp edges from the pond bed.

Pond bottom. The first liner is sand. Remember to cover the cracks in the pond with sand. The next step is to line the pond with a layer of man-made or biodegradable material. You can use newspaper or burlap, but biodegradable materials are better as they will break down over time and leave only a sand liner. The rock used as a backing can poke down and damage the sand lining. So consider using biodegradable materials such as artificial mats or specialized pond lining materials. Then cover it with a very large waterproof primer.

• There are different types of waterproof linings available at building supply stores or gardening stores.

Pour water into the pond. Use a hose to pump water into the pond until it is full. Note to stop pumping water before the water overflows the bank.

• You can use rainwater to pour into the pond if you don’t want to use tap water.
• Cut off excess waterproof lining, leaving only about 12cm.

Make a small trench around the pond. Lift up the liner and use a spade to dig a trench about 16 cm wide around the pond. Push the spade down about 10cm, then tilt it parallel to the ground and slowly lift the grass to create a small trench around the pond. Re-apply the waterproof liner to cover the trench, then place the grass mulch on top. This will help the pond banks look very “natural”, attracting many species of wildlife.

Get water from a natural pond near the house. Use a large milk jug or other container to collect water from a clean pond near your home. Pay attention to get water from a perennial pond instead of from a neighbor’s pond. Fill the tank with water, taking care not to take fish from the pond. Then bring back and refill your pond. Pond water naturally contains bacteria and microorganisms, helping to form a natural habitat for wildlife.

Monitor the “natural” growth of the pond. Your pond will change over time, growing a source of nutrients and attracting insects and other creatures.

• Do not clear weeds around the pond; Instead, let the grass grow naturally.
• For the first few years, do not release fish into the pond. The presence of fish will deter frogs, snails and many other wild animals.
• Create pond sludge by pouring a layer of topsoil into the pond. You can plant reeds or other aquatic plants like water lilies to support the growth of other species.

Dig a pond. Ornamental ponds often have many floors to be able to make waterfalls and have a place to put pumps. If you use electrical equipment, you need to dig a pond near your house to get electricity. Use a shovel to dig to the desired size and depth.

• If you plan to use a pump, you should dig a hole about 25cm deep in the middle of the pond.
• Make a second layer for aquatic plants by digging a shallower layer around the perimeter of the pond.
• You can use prefabricated pond molds available at your garden supply store. This type of mold is usually bean-shaped and has many layers. If you decide to use a mold, adjust the pit accordingly.

Pond lining. The first liner is sand, covering all cracks. Next, line the pond with a layer of biodegradable material such as newspaper or burlap. Finally a sheet of waterproof material. The final lining must cover the entire pond bed and pond banks.

Install pumps and other equipment. If using a pump, you must place the pump in the deepest middle layer and the pump hose should extend across the pond. You can install a filter or skimmer. Contact the device manufacturer for detailed installation instructions.

• Do not place the pump directly on the ground as the pump may get caught in the soil or fall into the pond as the pump is located in the deepest part of the pond. Place the pump on top of a bucket or planter that is at least 8.62 cm tall.

Make shore. Cut the pond liner so that only 12 cm is left at the edge of the pond. Dig a small trench under the liner, beam the liner up, and lay flat, heavy rocks on top. You can use rocks taken from the river to make pond banks.

• Make sure the rock is placed into the trench about 10 cm deep, so that it is approximately the same height as the pond when it is full of water.
• If the stone is large and heavy, you do not need to use mortar. But if it is a light and small stone, you should use mortar to fix the stone to prevent the stone from breaking when someone stands up.
• If installing a waterfall generator, you should put rocks around it.
• Creativity: you can create shapes with stones, or use stones of many shapes, sizes, and colors to highlight the garden.

Water pump. Use a pipe to pump water into the pond until the water is full to the shore but has not overflowed. Test the pumps and equipment you have installed to make sure they are in good working order.

Aquatic gardening. Plant water lilies, reeds and other aquatic plants in the pond. Each plant has its own requirements, so make sure the environment you create is suitable for the species you want to grow. For example, some plants are not suitable for moving water, so you should not plant them right where there is a waterfall.