Garden ponds serve as vital wildlife havens, attracting an array of creatures, from birds to frogs and beneficial insects. Building a garden pond is not only a rewarding endeavour but also a vital contribution to your ecosystem.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to create a simple yet captivating garden pond, ensuring both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Tools Required
Before we delve into the construction process, it’s essential to gather the necessary tools:
- Shovel
- Hosepipe
- Club Hammer
- Tape Measure
- Stanley Knife
- Things to Consider Before Commencing
Before breaking ground on your garden pond, consider the following factors:
Style of Pond:
Determine the shape and style of your pond, whether it’s circular, rectangular, or another geometric shape.
Type of Pond:
Choose the type of pond based on your preferences and maintenance capabilities. Consider factors such as filtration requirements and depth, especially for specialized ponds like Koi Ponds.
Location of Pond:
Select a suitable location for your pond, considering its proximity to your living spaces and the overall aesthetic of your garden.
Construction Process
1. Digging the Hole
Use a hosepipe to outline the shape of your pond.
Dig the hole vertically at an angle of 350mm, ensuring the edges remain intact to support decorative rocks. Reinforce soft edges with roof flashing, supported by PVC pipe stakes, to prevent collapse during construction.
2. Levelling and Felt Placement
Level the bottom of the pond for plant placement, ensuring any protruding roots are clipped off.
- Smooth the sides and bottom thoroughly.
- Cover exposed surfaces with underlay or bidim to cushion the liner.
3. Calculating the Size of the Liner
Determine the dimensions of the liner based on the size of your pond, including length, width, and depth.
4. Liner Placement
Spread the liner across the hole, pleating or folding as needed to achieve a smooth surface. Ensure the liner is adequately positioned and free of wrinkles.
5. Rock Placement
Place the first layer of decorative stones or bricks around the sides of the pond, overhanging by about 2 inches.
Add additional layers of rocks as desired to achieve the desired height. Ensure no liner is visible between the rocks, covering any exposed areas with smaller rocks.
6. Final Touches and Completion
- Pull the liner over the bottom layer of rocks, concealing it underwater.
- Fill the pond with water, ensuring it remains slightly above ground level to prevent runoff.
- Backfill around the pond with excavated dirt, grading it down for planting areas.
- Add a dechlorinator to the water if necessary, ensuring it’s safe for plants and fish.
Landscaping and Additional Features
Incorporate indigenous plants and mounding plants around the pond for natural beauty and minimal maintenance.
Consider adding a waterfall for visual appeal and soothing sound effects. Source pumps for water features from reputable suppliers.
Building a garden pond is a fulfilling endeavour that enhances both the aesthetic appeal and ecological diversity of your outdoor space.
At Build it Hermanus, we offer a wide range of building materials, tools, and expert advice to support your DIY projects. Whether you’re creating a serene oasis or a vibrant wildlife habitat, we’re here to help you bring your vision to life. Visit our store or explore our online shop for all your building material and tool needs.
Share your completed pond creations with us – we’d love to see your masterpiece!
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Build it Hermanus offers added value services in respect of hardware retailing; embracing all activity within the building materials industry, focusing specifically on the building of; urban, township, rural housing as well as all home improvements and do it yourself.
Build it is a division of the SPAR Group Limited South Africa. A voluntary trading group of individually owned retail stores with more than 10 000 employees across the group, we currently have stores in South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozambique with plans to expand into Botswana and Zambia in the near future. We view ourselves not only as a supplier of materials, but as a partner to our valued customers in accomplishing their building or renovating projects.