Garden pond fact sheet

Page 1

Building a Garden Pond Fact Sheet Building a Garden Pond Fact Sheet

A garden pond is a beautiful addition to any garden, whether it is filled with just plants or fish as well. Here is our simple guide to what you need to know about building garden ponds. A garden pond is a beautiful addition to any garden, whether it is filled with just plants or fish as Choosing the Garden Pond well. Here is our simple guide to what you need to know about building garden ponds. The first thing that you need to consider is what type of pond that you want to build – one with Choosing the Garden Pond plants only, or one with fish and plants. This is because each pond needs to take into consideration the features that it has. Be careful that you don’t choose a pond that is too small as The first thing that you need to consider is what type of pond that you want to build – one with it will limit the amount of fish and plants that plants only, or one with fish and plants. This is because each pond needs to take into you can use. consideration the features that it has. Be careful that you don’t choose a pond that is too small as it will limit the amount of fish and plants that You also need to consider the location. You you can use. will enjoy the pond more if it is closer to the home – make sure it is somewhere where you You also need to consider the location. You are easily able to see it. Be careful that the will enjoy the pond more if it is closer to the pond does not get any runoff as chemicals and home – make sure it is somewhere where you organic matter may get into the pond, are easily able to see it. Be careful that the disrupting its ecology. Ensure that the plants pond does not get any runoff as chemicals and get sunlight if you want to grow plants. Also be organic matter may get into the pond, aware that generally speaking, the larger the disrupting its ecology. Ensure that the plants pond is, the easier it is to maintain. get sunlight if you want to grow plants. Also be aware that generally speaking, the larger the Types of Pond pond is, the easier it is to maintain. When building your pond, there are many options to choose from when it comes to materials. Types of Pond One of the most popular is the lined pond. This is where you dig the hole to any shape that you When building your pond, there are many options to choose from when it comes to materials. One of the most popular is the lined pond. This is where you dig the hole to any shape that you


want and simply line it with a suitable pond liner material. These can be made out of plastic or PVC, and there are specialty materials available.

Building a Garden Pond Fact Sheet

You can also choose preformed ponds. These are perfect for the first timer as these are very easy to install. Plastic is a good choice as it is tough. Fibreglass ponds are good as they come in predefined sizes and shapes or you can get one made to your exact specifications, if you have a particular project in mind. Be aware that fibreglass ponds need to be resealed every few years. A garden ponds pond isare a beautiful addition to can any crack garden, whether it is filled just plants fish as Concrete very solid but they if the surrounding soilwith moves. There or needs to well. Here is our simple guide to what you need to know about building garden ponds. be a physical barrier between the concrete and the water to stop the lime from affecting the water chemistry. Pond sealants or liners can be used for this purpose. Raised brick ponds are Choosing Garden Pondneed to be sealed with either fibreglass or render and sealant. Pond yet anotherthe option but these liners are another option. They will also move over time, so cracks will need to be filled. The first thing that you need to consider is what type of pond that you want to build – one with plants Steps only, for or one with afish and plants. This is because each pond needs to take into Basic Building Pond consideration the features that it has. Be careful that you don’t choose a pond that is too small as it will limit the amount of fish itand plants that Before beginning any building, is important that you locate all of the services in your garden by you can use. using “Dial before You Dig” or your local authorities. Ensure that you have everything you need, and that you have allocated spots for the excavated soil to go. You also need to consider the location. You will the need pond to more is closer First,enjoy you will use ifa ithose, sand,toorthe paint home – make sure is somewhere where marking to mark outitthe area for your pond.you If you are easily able to see it. Be careful thesure are having shelves to place plants on, that make pond does get any runoff as set chemicals andhow to allow fornot these. There is no figure for organic matter may get into the pond, deep a pond should be, but check with your local disrupting its ecology. Ensure that the plants council about any safety requirements. Next, dig get sunlight if you want to grow plants. Also your hole. Once this is done, ensure that thebe walls aware that generally speaking, the larger the and base are free from sharp objects such as pond easier it is to maintain. roots is, andthe rocks. Make the sides of the pond and the base as smooth as you can. Types of Pond

When building your pond, there are many options to choose from when it comes to materials. One of the most popular is the lined pond. This is where you dig the hole to any shape that you


Now, that the hole is dug, consider any plumbing and electrical trenches that are needed for the equipment to work (lights, pumps, filters etc). If you are unsure about anything at all, always seek the help of an electrician or plumber. This will save costly headaches later and make the whole pond safer to use. In regards to plumbing, think about the type of filter that you are using – gravity fed or pressurised. A garden pond is a beautiful addition to any garden, whether it is filled with just plants or fish as well. Here is digging our simple guide to what you need about building garden ponds. Once all the work is completed, it is timetotoknow install the liner or preformed pond. If you are

Building a Garden Pond Fact Sheet

using a liner, remember that it will need to overhang the edges by 30 to 50 centimetres. Always Choosing the Garden Pond use an underlay with pond liner as it will provide a protective barrier between the ground and the liner and stop roots or rocks from penetrating the liner. Next, fill the pond. This will settle the liner The first thingpond that into you its need consider what of pond or preformed finaltoplace. Trimisoff anytype excess liner. that you want to build – one with plants only, or one with fish and plants. This is because each pond needs to take into consideration the features that it has.Now Be careful that don’t a pond thatyour is too small as that this is you done, youchoose can edge or cap pond. This it will limit the amount of fish and plants can bethat done using wood, paving or stone, amongst other you can use. materials. After you have edged your pond, you can begin

to fill it with plants, fish, or both. Use a mix of plants – those You also need to consider the location. Youtotally submerged, those that sit on the surface, that are will enjoy the pond more if it is closer to the that rise out of the water. A plant pond should and those home – make sure it is somewhere where you third to two thirds of the pond covered by plants. have one are easily able to see it. Be carefulBethat the if you are putting koi in the pond though as they careful pond does not get any runoff as chemicals and to eat plants. Goldfish and other fish should not are known organic matter may get into the pond, pose a problem. Wait a week to introduce fish, but if you disrupting its ecology. Ensure that the can’tplants wait be sure to use a water treatment. get sunlight if you want to grow plants. Also be aware that generally speaking, the larger the turn on your pump and filtration system. If you After this, pond is, the easier it is to maintain. have UV lights, don’t turn them on for 4 to 6 weeks in order Types of Pond

to let good bacteria build up in the biological filter.

When building your pond, there are many options to choose from when it comes to materials. One of the most popular is the lined pond. This is where you dig the hole to any shape that you


Edible water plants for your pond

Building a Garden Pond Fact Sheet Choose wide shallow pots. These will be hidden under the water so any appropriate recycled

container can be used. For large plants like Sacred Lotus an old plastic clothes basket can be used. Make a soil mix by combining good garden soil and potting mix 50:50, fill the pot to a depth A is a beautiful addition to anyofgarden, whether it is in filled with just or fish as of garden 10 cm. pond To fertilise take about a cupful solid clay and mix a couple of plants teaspoonfuls of well. Here is our simple guide to what you need to know about building garden ponds. complete fertiliser, roll into balls and bury in the pot. Commercial water plant fertiliser tablets are available from specialist nurseries. After planting add a layer of gravel on top as mulch to keep Choosing the Garden the water clean and thePond soil mix and the plant from floating out. Use bricks or upturned terracotta pots to position the plant at the correct depth under the water. The first thing that you need to consider is what type of pond that you want to build – one with plants only, or one with fish and plants. This is because each pond needs to take into consideration the features that it has. Be careful that you don’t choose a pond that is too small as it will limit thesuitable amount for of fish and plants thatand placing in ponds include: Water plants planting into pots you can use. Watercress Nasturtium officinale You need syn to consider Wateralso Spinach Ung Tsoi the syn location. KangkongYou I pomoea aquatica will enjoy the pond more if it is closer to the Hardy Waterlilies Nymphaea species home – make sure it is somewhere Pickerel Rush Pontederia cordata where you are easily able to see it. Be careful that nucifera the Sacred Lotus syn Chinese Lotus Nelumbo pond does not get any runoff as chemicals and organic matter may get into the pond, disrupting Referencesits ecology. Ensure that the plants get sunlight if you want to grow plants. Also be www.homeimprovementpages.com.au aware that generally speaking, the larger the www.greenharvest.com.au/Plants/waterplant_info.html pond is, the easier it is to maintain. Types of Pond When building your pond, there are many options to choose from when it comes to materials. One of the most popular is the lined pond. This is where you dig the hole to any shape that you


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.