How to Build a Pond

You might be thinking about ways you can make your property serene and peaceful. We see a lot of houses implementing a pond similar to Japanese pond gardens, which can make us green with envy.

If you want to exude this type of vibe by implementing a pond, here’s how you can build one.

1. Ensure you have enough land

This entirely depends on the pond size you want, but it’s important to determine where you want your pond to be and to make sure that you have enough land for your project in order to include everything that you want in your pond. You might also want to consider positioning your pond in a partially shady area since having a pond fully exposed to sunlight may attract the growth of algae, resulting in your pond having a displeasing green hue. However, having some sunlight is perfect if you want to attract wildlife such as plants and insects. If you’re having trouble with this, you can consult landscape specialists after browsing through our list here. Similarly, our article on The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Landscape Gardener might be useful.

2. Purchase all the necessary equipment

Of course, when you’re looking to build something that requires altering the earth, you’ll need the equipment necessary for your project to be successful. The Wildlife Trusts has a section focused on the process of building a pond, which includes the equipment you need in order to complete it.

3. Determine the shape and depth

After determining the shape you want for your pond, you should also determine its depth. You should opt for a shape that enables the natural flow of water, using rope or a hosepipe will help you to lay out the shape. If you’re struggling with figuring out the perfect depth for your pond, it is recommended that the depth should be 0.6 metres-1 metre if you want your pond to contain small fish. For large fish, the depth should be around 1 metre-1.5 metres. However, if your pond is only for display, the depth should be around 0.6 metres.

4. Dig your pond to your desired shape

When digging your pond, you should ensure that any sharp stones are removed and the sides aren’t vertical; have the sides sloping instead. When thinking about the construction side of things, it’s best to avoid complex shapes to steer clear from any difficulties. If you need any help, you can browse through our list of pond services here for any enquiries.

5. Ensure that you have a water barrier

After digging your pond, you should ensure that you have a tight water barrier, which can be achieved by installing a pond liner. It’s also recommended that an underlay is placed underneath the liner for protection against any possible punctures from rocks and roots.

6. Add water

When adding water, you should ensure that it’s added gradually. For a neat finish, you should ensure that you’re also easing the liner into shape simultaneously. After adding water, leave it overnight for the water to fill in the shape of your pond.

7. Determine the edging you want

To complete your pond, you can add stone or paved edging to add to the neat finish. You can also utilise a grass turf, which might hang and come in contact with water. Furthermore, you should also ensure that a small overhang is possible for the protection of any exposed liner from sunlight.

8. Add anything you want in your pond

For the final step, you should ensure you insert your pump and filter, as well as anything you want to add, such as fish, plants or any lighting. For lighting, our electricians and electrical services will be able to help you with any questions.

These are the steps you can refer to if you’re building a pond, which hopefully helps to make things easier. However, if you’re still sceptical and would prefer consulting a specialist, you can look through our list of experts here.