Planning Your Pond
Choosing the right type of pond for your own needs is the important first step. If you have a patio, your pond could be the focal point or it could be the centre feature of your landscaped lawn. It could also brighten a gloomy or neglected corner of your garden.
If you are interested in natural water garden you could create an almost totally natural pond, rich in native plants and a haven for all types of aquatic life. But remember such a pond would have a natural appearance and typically is not suited for ornamental fish because of the lack of proper filtration and it’s vulnerability to predators such as herons.
Another area of importance will be to decide whether you wish to keep beautiful plants and common ornamental fish in your pond or whether you are considering the possibility of a beautiful Koi pond. Because the site and construction for both ponds are very different you will be much more successful with your pond if you commit to a type of pond before you begin excavation.
The shape of your pond takes on two different styles. An informal pond has no straight edges and no symmetrical shape and may be designed to blend in with the contours of your garden landscape. Alternatively, a formal pond does have a regular shape and can be raised above the ground using brickwork to draw the eye to its symmetry.
Both types of pond are ideal for keeping aquatic plants and pond fish. A waterfall and a fountain or other moving water feature would usually compliment such pools.
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No matter what size you plan your pond to be, you will always wish you had made it larger. A pond 100 sq ft of surface area or larger provides an ideal amount of surface area for many varieties of aquatic plants and fish. This is not to say however that a smaller pond or a container garden cannot be enjoyable or interesting. The minimum depth should be 18 inches for ponds with plants and ornamental fish that are not Koi. However, if you are in a colder climate or are keeping only Koi your depths should be 3 ft or deeper. The proper depth will enable fish to survive the winter more easily and keep them cool in the summer months. A shelf of 12-18 inches wide and about 9-12 inches below the surface can be created for the placement of marginal plants and some other potted aquatic plants.
Once you have decided on the type of pond you would enjoy, it’s time to decide where to locate your pond. Locating a pond where there is too much sunlight should be avoided. Sunlight promotes the growth of algae and may cause the temperature of the water to rise dramatically during warmer weather, decreasing oxygen levels. To avoid this problem, position your pond where it will receive some shade, especially during the afternoon when the sun is the strongest. 5-6 hours of direct sunlight is ideal for most ponds with plants and ponds that are less than 18 inches in depth.
Beware of siting your pond beneath trees or near their roots to avoid leaves falling into the pond and potential root damage to the liner. As well as being unsightly, rotting vegetation in the water may adversely effect the quality of the water, which could cause harm to the fish. Another important consideration will be to site your pond close enough to an electricity source so you can incorporate a pump, filtration or lighting.