How do I create a pond in my garden?

A water feature is the cherry on the cake when it comes to garden design. You might think that your garden is too small for a pond, but there’s always space. From a small pool to a lake, ponds come in all shapes and sizes.

You can design your entire garden around a large pond – the lawn, the borders, and the paving. Once you have decided where the pond should be and what form it should take, you can start digging. You could pick a pre-shaped ‘container’ for your pond, or dig out your own shape and seal it with pond foil. You can finish the edges of a natural pond with planting. In a modern garden, a rectangular pond is probably the best fit. You can finish a raised pond with clay stacking blocks. They will retain their colour for years.

About garden styles

To keep the water in the pond healthy and clear, you need to make sure that it contains plenty of oxygen. Aquatic plants give the water oxygen, but in many cases, you’ll need a pump as well. The pump keeps the water moving, which automatically maintains the oxygen level. One benefit of a water pump is that you can also install a waterfall or fountain and let the water run down it. These look great and add a sense of calm. The first time you fill the pond with water, it’s best to use tap water as rainwater tends to be too soft and too acidic for a pond.

Once you have filled the pond with water, you can start the planting. Plant along the edges with waterside plants like irises and Japanese sedge. Avoid plants that are likely to root through the the foil. Aquatic plants are best put in pots and then into the water, so that if ever you need to carry out a thorough clean of your pond, you can easily move them to get rid of the silt.

Too much sun will cause excess algae growth. Position the pond so that half to three quarters of it is in the sun
Don’t site it too close to a tree, otherwise you’ll have quite the job come autumn
Fish that can overwinter outside? Ensure a minimum depth of 80 cm
Vary the depth for rich flora and fauna
A slight bank will help amphibians to get in and out of the water
Add a bucket of water from an existing healthy pond for the right bacteria in your new pond