Home improvement experts Pat Simpson and Jodi Marks share tips for creating an outdoor water garden. They cover everything from choosing a location and laying out an outline to what kinds of plants and animals make for a well-balanced 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.
4. Clean out the edges to ensure a level border. Bridge the pond with a long 2x4 and place a level on top to ensure the borders are even (figure C). If one edge is lower, water will only fill the pond to that level, leaving an inch or more of vinyl liner exposed on the opposite side.
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.
