backyard pond
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Dan Gibbon may have spent the last three and a half decades around Wisconsin's flat farmlands, but the lapping waters of Lake Superior, where he grew up, were always on his mind. So recently he got out the shovel and started making a pond. His wife, Gloria, had her doubts ("I wasn't that excited with the idea of digging up the backyard, " she says). But her hesitance melted away when she saw the fruits of Dan's labor.
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Dan's pond attracts birds, frogs, butterflies, and crickets (no mosquitoes, though, thanks to the moving water). It also attracts Dan and Gloria. The couple often sip their coffees there while watching the sunrise, and lounge by the gurgling water after dark. "My wife is actually really glad I did this, " says Dan. "And so am I—it's so relaxing."
How To Build A Low Maintenance Pond
Senior technical editor Mark Powers to show you how to make the one you see here—just like Dan's. All you need is a shovel and a few materials, and before you know it, you'll have your own little "great lake" to enjoy.
A free-form pond like Dan Gibbon's can be customized for any landscape, with different rocks, plants, shapes, and waterfalls. But we'll give you some helpful points on placement, size, and materials.
Before you start, call 811 or your local one-call center to have electric and gas lines marked so you know where to dig to steer clear of them. Then, when you map out the location of your pond, put it where it will be noticed—visible from a window, off a patio, or along a walkway—but away from the play areas of small children or pets.
Build A Backyard Pond: We Show You How
Keep clear of major root systems or mature trees, which can block too much of the sunlight plants and fish need. You'll also need to be within reach of a grounded exterior outlet so you can plug in a pump, an essential tool for keeping the water aerated; most pumps come with a maximum cord length of 25 feet, and extension cords are not recommended. You may need to bury the power cord a few inches down in PVC pipe to hide it.
Space permitting, you need at least 40 cubic feet for your pond—about 7 feet by 4 feet—to keep the water clean. An initial shallow terrace just inside the perimeter of the pond holds rocks that conceal the liner edge and keep it in place. A second, deeper terrace supports plants that live in the water and help balance the pond's ecosystem.
As you dig, you must slope the sides of the pond so that if the water freezes, the ice will push up instead of against the liner. 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.
Ecological Benefits Of Incorporating A Pond In Your Yard
To maintain the consistent depth of the water, you need to line the pond. A thin layer of sand and old newspapers or burlap bags softens the jagged edges of rocks and roots. But over that, you will need to put a waterproof skin.
There are several types of flexible liners meant for small ponds—made from polypropylene and EPDM, among other materials. Look for one that's weather-resistant, so it will stand up to UV rays and freezing temperatures. It should also be rated "fish-safe" if you plan to stock your pond and come with a warranty of 10 to 20 years so your pond will be watertight for many years to come.
Reader Tip: "Avoid building your pond directly under a tree or you'll find yourself cleaning quite a few soggy leaves in the fall." —Dave Martin, Natick, MA
How To Create A Backyard Pond
Reader Tip: "Whenever you water your plant beds, also 'water' your pond to make up for any liquid that has evaporated over the week." —Dan Gibbon, Medford, WI
Add plants in and around the pond. Keep the pump on during daytime hours, but shut it off at night so it doesn't attract nocturnal animals.Nothing gives an instant face-lift to your garden or backyard like a gorgeous pond at its heart. The best DIY ponds are ones you can create with relative ease and do not cost you fortune. Cheap DIY ponds are not too hard to find and they take far less time to create than you would imagine. Of course, it still takes considerable amount of DIY skill and fair bit of planning, but a lovely little custom pond in the backyard makes your life a whole lot more pleasant!
A backyard pond is the prefect place to spend a tranquil evening and do so without the hassle of modern rush all around. It is also a great place for flora and fauna to thrive and if you are an avid bird lover or someone who loves to get closer to nature, then these small DIY ponds are the absolute best. With a few simple pumps, hoses and natural rocks, you can easily create a cool DIY pond that makes a big visual impact. This is a look at the 25 best, affordable and gorgeous DIY ponds around –
Constructing Your Own Backyard Pond
We start off with a collection of DIY ponds that will delight the urban homeowner and those with limited space to utilize and even more limited time! The ultra-tiny ponds are ones that can be crafted using pretty much anything ranging from an old industrial container to vintage bathtubs, barrels and more. A small contemporary pond with natural stone is an equally appealing idea and it fits in perfectly with the notion of a modern backyard. Be it lovely ponds in old tubs or ones that have flowering plants floating around and are nestled in wooden boxes, these super-small ponds are absolute showstoppers.
A great DIY pond is much more than just putting in the base, filling the hole in the ground with water and then placing a few natural rocks across its perimeter. It is all about creating the perfect setting which plays up the overall appeal of your backyard. Apart from saving resources, the cheap DIY pond also gives you an option to customize and get exactly what you need. Add some lovely flowering plants around the pond, create the right lighting and make sure that it is as natural as possible.
One of the most important aspects of creating the right natural pond is both the source of water and the base that holds everything together. Once you have both of these in place, it is time to think about aesthetics and other smart additions. If you can add a little water feature, maybe a fountain or two or even a natural waterfall, then things would seem even better!
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Backyard Pond Ideas: Bring Your Yard To Life!
While we love contemporary, modern and exquisite DIY ponds with inimitable style, there is nothing that comes close to the beauty of a natural pond. It does take a bit more effort to create these exquisite natural ponds filled with ample water. Consider the source of your water carefully before you take up such a huge task and it is always better to have a continuous, natural supply of water when planning for a larger pond. The many DIY natural ponds in here surely look amazing and recreating them would be well worth our time and effort,
Sherry is a blogger who loves to live her life to the fullest. She enjoys everything associated with design, décor and stylish modern trends. Born in California, Sherry has grown up on open ranches and in a wild setting, which has defined her taste for design and developed her interest in examining how structures and homes interact with the beauti[...]A backyard garden pond with running water, floating plants and darting fish can make a bland space breathtaking. 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.
If your yard has only one spot that will accommodate a pond, don’t worry—you can create a great garden pond in just about any location. But if you have two or three spots to choose from, consider the upkeep factor.
How To Create A Small Backyard Pond
If you locate your pond in an area that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day, you’ll have a wide variety of easy-to-care-for plants to choose from. Plants that thrive in shade are available too, so you can create a pond in a spot that never gets direct sunlight. But you’ll have fewer easy-care choices and you may have to pay a bit more to get the mix of plants you want.
There is such a thing as too much sun, though. In the Southern United States, choose a site
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