A secluded spot in your garden
Defining the purpose of your outdoor pond will help you choose the perfect site to start your pond building project. A formal pond or fountain should be placed near the entrance of your house, where it can be admired by visitors. A pond designed for personal viewing works best in your backyard, close to the porch or perhaps in view of picture windows. A pond tucked into a quiet corner of your property could serve as a private retreat.
Planning for the Weather
Exposure to sun and wind are important site criteria. Ponds that receive too much sunlight are vulnerable to algae and increased water evaporation. High temperatures can also harm plants and fish. On the other hand, ponds that do not receive enough light will stunt the growth of pond wildlife. You may have to prune trees and remove any fences and sheds that block the sun.
Avoid places where there are many fallen leaves, seed pods, fruit and other debris. These can clog the filter and pollute your pond. Strong winds can also harm your pond by increasing water evaporation and ruining fountain spray. If necessary, plant trees and tall shrubs, or build a wall upwind of the site to serve as a windbreak.
Topography and Soil Quality
Keep in mind that amount of work you’ll have to put into building a pond is directly related to the topography of your site. Sites can vary from flat, level ground, to hill sides, to low-lying areas.
Each type of topography requires a different amount of digging and grading (creating a slope). You will also need to adjust the height of your stone coping and maybe even place gravel trenches to keep water runoff from entering your pond.
The shape of the land also adds to the character of your garden so make sure to find a location and come up with pond plans that are both practical and attractive.
Utility Access
Most water gardens require electrical equipment such as a water pump to help maintain the pond’s cleanliness. Some owner like to install underwater and/or perimeter lights so that they can enjoy their pond even during the nighttime. Either way, you will need to run electricity to your pond site. Local electrical codes should be observed when you install wiring and outlets by your pond. You should also avoid placing your pond over existing utilities such as underground gas pipes, electrical lines and gas lines.
Following are some other articles related to outdoor ponds that you may find interesting:
- Digging » How to make a stock-tank pond – Over the years of blogging about my stock-tank ponds (a 100-gallon container pond in my former garden, and this new 717-gallon one), I’ve been asked many times how I constructed them. I finished the new pond yesterday evening, so I’ll explain how I did it, from start to finish. If you live in the Austin area, go to Callahan’s General Store to pick out your stock tank.
- Turkey Creek Lane · Spring Plant Exchange, a Calendar Garden and … – In the beginning, our plant exchange was really small, says Elkhart County Park Department Chief Naturalist, Jerry Good. Yesterday, DH and I traded plants with more than 60 friends and neighbors. We took home a Rose of Sharon , a tea plant and yellow irises.
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