Ponds

From a small pool the size of a washing up bowl to a lake big enough to sail a boat on, you can add a pond to your garden no matter what size it is. If you are planning to build the pond yourself there are a few things you need to keep in mind – try to make sure the pond is not directly under any deciduous trees, as you will be forever fishing leaves out. If you have children think carefully about safety.

You can create your pond by using either a flexible liner, or a preformed pool. If you are using a liner, make sure you place an old carpet or something similar underneath it to prevent any sharp stones making holes that could cause a leak.

If you want frogs to make your pond their home, make sure there is a sloping side and varying depths, to allow frogs to get in and out, and find a place where they are comfortable. Add some pond plants to provide places where frogs and other wildlife can hide.

If you want to have fish in your pond, make sure it is at least 2ft deep, so the fish have enough depth to hide from winter frosts. Wildlife ponds are not really compatible with fish ponds, so decide which you are going to create.

Pond plants will help to keep the water clear, as will a water feature.

Water features for Ponds

The water in a pond needs aerating to help stop it from becoming stagnant. A small fountain or cascade is a perfect way to achieve this. If you have a power supply nearby you can set up a mains-powered fountain, otherwise there are now solar fountains and aerators available that will do the job just as well.

Self-contained Water Features

A gently babbling water feature is the perfect addition to a patio or decking. There is a huge range of self-contained water features on the market, that don’t require a pond. Most types are now available as solar-powered versions, so you don’t even need a power outlet. Statues with fountains, cascading pottery jugs and bowls, bird baths with small fountains, contemporary cascades, stone and metal spheres, and oak barrel features are just a few of the water features available.

 

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