Backyard pond ideas: 14 ways to create a water-filled feature for your yard

pond design

Small ponds may be easier to maintain but may ultimately limit growth in diversity. As such, careful consideration needs to be given when deciding what size pond is most suitable. Perhaps most importantly, however, raised ponds are more suitable for accessible garden design than in-ground ponds.

Defining a Large Space

Water gives the illusion that a space is much larger than it really is, and incorporating a reflecting pond can almost double the space. All you need for this pond design is a shallow pool of water with no jets to create a smooth, reflective surface. The size of a pond is a very important factor for anyone considering installing one. It will determine the types of aquatic life, vegetation and fish that can inhabit it, as well as the maintenance requirements to keep it looking on-point.

Do You Need a Permit to Build a Pond in Your Backyard?

The best option is rainwater, which has a pH level supporting the most extensive range of plants and wildlife. Start collecting rainwater in water butts before you begin to build your pond. You can then use this to fill your pond quickly and efficiently. Once your pond is filled, start up your waterfall and add water treatments, such as water conditioner and natural bacteria to get the pond that you built ready for fish. Start by deciding on the location to build your pond and unpacking your gear. Use a rope or garden hose to help you visualize your pond layout.

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Portsmouth NH North Mill Pond development designs unveiled.

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Waterfalls in Koi Pond

EPDM rubber is a popular option for backyard ponds due to its flexibility, strength, and durability. For ponds that may be exposed to harsh weather conditions and long periods of direct sunlight, PVC is recommended. In cold climates, either a puncture-resistant or reinforced PVC liner is ideal due to their ability to resist freeze/thaw damage.

Size – how big or small should your pond be

The advantages to gunite is that it is long lasting and durable. Creative lighting and other nifty design elements are easy to include. The drawbacks to this material is that you will need a professional to install it. Leidner says a feasible budget for a professional installation of an average-size pond is $5,000 minimum, which includes pump parts and labor but not fish.

Of course, there are a variety of factors that will influence pond construction costs including the size of the pond, the materials used, and whether you do the work or have it hired out. The steps for how to build a pond in a container are really straightforward. Simply select your container, then sink stones and bricks to create slopes. Then fill with rainwater and immerse your chosen pond plants in pond baskets.

The ultimate in low-maintenance, goldfish can get by eating the plants, algae, and larvae they find. They’ll live about 10 years and often grow up to 12 inches long. Water shooting up from the surface of the pond or flowing from a man-made ornament is visually compelling and nice to listen to. Available in a variety of sizes and shapes, each linked to a particular pump capacity.

Additions such as a fountain will not only provide a bubbling soundtrack to your garden but will also add visual interest and help to attract birds and wildlife to your pond. Consider edging your pond with rocks and alpine plants to create a rockery feel that is befitting of cottage garden ideas. Alternatively, you can try surrounding your pond with a more formal deck or paving which draws on patio ideas. For something more out-there, consider drawing on Japanese garden ideas when decorating around your pond.

pond design

The plants will introduce oxygen to help the koi, and the fish will clean up any algae or waste products that could make the pond cloudy. Put your pond design next to a fence and add a small covered seating area with rope lights by the pond’s edge. You can add submerged, marginal, and floating plants to create a layered look that prevents algae overgrowth. If you have a long walkway in your yard, enhance it with an oblong, flowing pond design that runs right alongside it. You could create a unique shape and add colorful Koi to bring movement to the pond and give it points of interest as you stroll along.

Taking cues from the existing hardscape around a home, this most popular pond type has free-form edges set next to a brick, concrete, or stone patio. And if they’re farther than 20 feet from your patio, you likely won’t hear the gurgling of a waterfall or fountain. Ponds longer than 6 feet on a side and deeper than 18 inches require so much digging and other heavy work that they are best left to pros. Smaller ponds are good DIY projects, but let pros handle the plumbing and electrical work. A clean, healthy pond requires a few key elements to keep water contained, fresh, and filtered.

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Folsom Trail designs include daylighted City Creek, park space, and a pond.

Posted: Fri, 20 Jan 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Waterfall foam is fish safe and designed to fill in the gaps between rocks in the waterfall area. When you build a backyard waterfall, it's important to remember that, unlike a natural waterfall, every drop of water that cascades down the face of your mini-Niagara are delivered by a pump. In order to make that limited supply of pumped water - and your waterfall - look as dramatic and beautiful as possible, it helps to seal up the nooks and crannies behind and between rocks. When those areas are sealed, water is diverted over the tops of the rocks, making the waterfall look fuller and more beautiful.

Even a tiny pond could add an interesting touch to your backyard. Water lilies are beautiful so definitely add them to your backyard's pond. Bog plants, are those that have roots and are planted underwater near the edges of the pond. You can simply put them in large pots and place where you need. In nature, these plants help to control the erosion of the bank of the pond.

Remove the liner and apply a bead of silicone over the mounting holes. Reposition the liner and attach the waterfall weir using the bolts. Our design consultants will help you determine the appropriate depth for your pond so that it will work with your location and your other pond elements.

If you have a towering pergola in your yard, you can balance it out by installing a circular pond. The graceful lines will offset the more rigid and straight lines of the pergola, and you can add a pergola cover to help shade the pond in the summer. Constructing a large pond requires careful planning to ensure that the pond will hold water, maintain water quality, and provide functional habitat. One of the most important and often overlooked steps that should be taken early in the planning process is test pits or borings to sample the soil and/or rock at the planned pond bottom.

A pond can become the focal point of a yard or outdoor room, regardless of size. If you're looking for backyard pond ideas that are on the smaller side, we have just what you need! These backyard ponds are perfect if you don't have a ton of space in your backyard or just want a small pond right on your patio. When researching how to build a pond and investigating a garden pond, it is crucial to figure out what you want from your pond. Do you want something that is a haven for wildlife or perhaps just a reflective space?

Harold Leidner Landscape Architects recommends adding fancy goldfish. In addition to having ornate patterns and colors almost identical to those of koi, they’re less aggressive and less expensive. Koi can range from $200 to $7,000 each, while fancy goldfish go for around $35 each.

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