By Guest Author Mark Cropper, Swell UK
A garden pond can add an area of interest, wildlife and tranquility to your garden, be it a small backyard space or acres of landscape. With some careful planning and research, you can easily incorporate a pond into the layout of your outdoor space.
What size garden pond do I need?
First of all think about the size of pond you would like, and calculate the volume. This is important as a healthy garden pond, especially one containing fish, needs a good quality filter and pump – therefore calculating the volume allows you to work out the correct size equipment you will need and budget accordingly. Use this formula to work out the volume of your garden pond: length x width x depth.
What is the best location for my garden pond?
Position is a key point to consider, as the location of your garden pond should allow for the best view, but also good light and shade depending upon the type of pond you would like.
To view the pond from your house, place it in the foreground of your garden. Of course, if you have a huge garden you have the luxury of choice. In either case, choose a spot that will receive sunlight for at least half the day.
Think about power availability too. As most pond equipment requires a power point, you’ll have to consider the distance between the pond and a plug socket!
Try not to place your garden pond under low hanging trees, as the falling leaves and debris can add to the waste level in your pond and increase maintenance. This will also avoid the risk of roots piercing the liner over time.
If you have a very low, flat area this might seem an ideal place to position a pond. However, low areas are prone to flooding in bad weather, which will ruin your pond and the wildlife in it.
Unless you’re an expert designer, it is probably best to stick to a natural shape. This reduces the risk of problems and liner wastage. Of course, you can go for any shape you wish, space allowing. If you’d like an unusual shape, you’re probably best off consulting with a garden pond designer.
What garden pond style should I choose?
Once you have decided where your garden pond is going to be, and how big, then the fun starts – dig out the pond and install a good quality liner. Then think about pond plants, fish and other additions. A good tip from other pond enthusiasts is to dig ‘steps’ into the sides of the pond, which creates ledges for aquatic plants. The finished result is an effortlessly natural pond.
Add oxygenating plants to your garden pond
A pond can be a great way to encourage wildlife into your garden and works well in a natural style of garden. Add large leaf floating plants to provide shade and a basking spot for frogs, newts, and salamanders. Place the pond near bushes and shrubs to give visiting creatures a cozy home, or use a pile of logs, which looks good and will provide them shelter during bad weather. Add some oxygenating plants like Hornwort, Starwort, or Water Violets to enhance the water quality naturally, and help to improve the overall health of the pond.
Don’t forget the garden pond filter
If you are going for a traditional fish pond, ensure that you have efficient water filtration for the amount of fish in your pond. Koi especially can create a lot of waste, so this is important. Standard filters can be submerged in the water, causing minimal disruption to the aesthetics of your pond and garden design.
How deep should your garden pond be?
The depth of your garden pond is another important factor to consider. If you are planning on keeping large fish, a depth of around 3 feet is adequate, whereas smaller fish need around 1.5 ft. Try to ensure that at least 40% of your pond is at the desired depth for good fish health and to avoid fluctuating temperatures in the water.
Garden pond safety
It seems obvious but garden pond safety is a must, especially if you have young children and pets. A mesh grid can be placed over the surface of the pond to cut the risk of accidents. Alternatively, it could be securely fenced off with an attractive trellis or fencing panels.
Mark Cropper works for pond and garden watering retailer, Swell UK. Mark has kept a pond for 5 years and is a Koi carp enthusiast, with a special interest in the water chemistry to make his pond a perfect environment for these stunning, colorful fish.
Thank you very much for sharing .