Create a Pond

Materials:

garden hose
shovels
rake
felt
vinyl pond liner
all-purpose sand
river rocks or flagstones
mortar
masonry trowel
wheelbarrow
bricks
gardening topsoil
pea gravel
aquatic plants
fountain with underwater pump
snails, tadpoles and fish

Steps:

1. Start by laying out the pond. A garden hose makes a great tool for doing this (figure A). It's flexible, allowing you to create a pond of almost any shape.

2. You should be able to dig out a pond with a shovel, though using a front-end loader makes short work of the project (figure B). Remember, always call your local utility companies before digging to make sure the area is free from underground pipes or cables.

3. Also check local regulations regarding a water feature. The ideal depth for a pond is 18 to 24 inches, anything deeper may be considered a swimming pool. Make sure local codes do not require you to build a fence around your pond.

5. Use all-purpose sand to level out the edges and to also create a smooth bed for your liner (figure D). Also remove any sharp rocks that might puncture the liner.

6. Cut felt into strips to match the depth of your pond. For instance, cut 18-inch wide strips for a pond that's 18 inches deep. After smoothing and leveling the edges with sand, line the edge of the pond with felt and start pouring in sand for the bottom (figure E).

7. Rake the sand to create a nice, smooth bottom with plenty of padding for the liner (figure F).

8. Liners are available in a variety of sizes and materials, including flexible vinyl liners (figure G) and pre-formed fiberglass models. If the liner's been sitting out in the sun wear gloves to handle as it's going to be pretty hot. Always place the liner so the black side faces up. This creates an illusion of depth in your pond.

9. To determine how large a flexible liner needs to be, measure your pond and add 5 feet to the length and width for a 24-inch pool, and 4 feet for an 18-inch deep pond. For example, an 18-inch deep pond measuring 8 by 14 feet would require a liner measuring 12 by 18 feet. Spread the liner evenly over your pond and fill with water.

11. Line the pond with nice flat rocks like river rock or sandstone (figure I). They are easy to stack and shape. Dry fit the rocks to create a desirable border, then set permanently in mortar. Mix mortar in a wheelbarrow according to directions, then lay down a base of two or three inches of mortar using a trowel. Stand inside the pond and set the rocks.

12. Make a little tunnel to conceal wires running to underwater pumps using a piece of pvc pipe (figure J). Cut a length of pipe long enough to run under the rock border to the pond, set it in mortar and top with a rock. Allow mortar to set overnight before doing any more work.

13. After the mortar has set, drain the pond and refill with fresh water. The reason for this is mortar may have spilled into the water when building the wall. Mortar contains lime, and lime is harmful to plants and fish. Use a small pump to drain the pond.

15. Stocking a pond with the right balance of plants and aquatic animals is important for a healthy pond and helps to naturally control algae. Cover 60 to 70 percent of the surface with floating leaf plants, such as water lilies, to block sunlight from reaching the bottom of the pond (figure L).

16. Also include submerged plants. These will consume nutrients algae need to grow, thus naturally starving algae out of the pond. Finally, throw in a suitable number of snails and/or tadpoles to serve as scavengers and keep the pond naturally clean. Do some research to determine the right number of plants and animals for your pond.

18. Arrange the potted plants in the pond. Use bricks to add height if necessary (figure N), but do not use concrete blocks. They could leach minerals into the water, causing serious problems for your plants and fish. To control mosquitoes stock pond with goldfish, they'll eat the insect eggs, or add mosquito repellant tablets that float on the surface.

19. Finally, landscape around your pond (figure O). Plant holly bushes, junipers and rose bushes around the pond. Also visit a local nursery for more ideas. Line the ground with landscaping fabric to keep weeds from popping up through the pea gravel.