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July's |
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July's |
Installing a Preformed Pond
The best and easiest way to add a water feature to your home landscape is to install a prefabricated pond. Found in most garden centers, these hardened plastic or fiberglass liners are easy to install and come in many shapes and sizes.
Step 1: Finding a site for the pool
If you plan to have plants in your pond you will need at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day, so choose a spot in the open or at least away from the shadow of overhanging trees and shrubs. This ensures that you will not hit tree roots when digging and will avoid the clean-up of fallen leaves. Avoid putting it in a low spot in the yard so it will not over-flow during heavy rain. Runoff of fertilizers, herbicides or insecticides can be a big problem if located in a low spot. Locate the pond close to a water supply so adding water can be done easily.
Step 2: Outline the edge and dig the hole
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Use a rope or hose to outline the outside edge of the pool and the bottom of the pool. Remove the liner and the result should be a circle inside a circle. Start digging the hole making it 2-3" inches wider on all sides than the outer hose. |
| Remove all sod, rocks and debris as you dig so that there is no chance of puncturing or sagging. Dig the hole two inches deeper than the shell to allow for a layer of sand. | |
Step 3: Installing the liner
After removing all rocks, roots and rubble, spread a two inch layer of damp sand. Use a level to make sure the layer of sand is level. Drop in the liner and check all around the edge to make sure it is level. Remove liner and add more sand if needed.
Step 4: Filling the pond
To equalize the pressure of the water and the soil and to prevent bulges, the pond should be filled in small increments. It is important to fill in the outside of the liner with soil at the same rate the pond is filling with water. Work your way around the pond filling the outside gap with soil and tamping as you go. The final water level should be 2-3" inches below the rim to allow for rain water and any future plants.
Step 5: Add edging, plants and fish
Wait 24 hours after filling before adding fish or plants, so that chlorine and other heavy metals can evaporate from the water. Many times people would like to hide the fact that their pond is not natural. An overhang of stone and plants around the edge conceals the plastic rim and gives the pond a more natural look. Flagstones or paving stones can be used, and should be mortared in place if it will receive heavy traffic.
For more information on landscape ponds visit Pete's Pond Page. It is an excellent site that explains how to build a biological filter.
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