How to Begin Building a Garden Pond and Waterfall in Your
Backyard
Building a garden pond and waterfall in your backyard is something that a home owner dreams of, but often does not carry out, due to the expense of hiring a professional firm to do the work. In this article, we aim to show you that within your means and abilities, it is entirely possible to
build your own garden pond.
Building a waterfall for a pond need also not be a frightening experience. With the help of a backyard pond kit, planning and effort, the home owner is able to make the back yard fun and restful, and increase value of the property.
The first decision must be regarding location. Once the location is determined it will help identify the size and some potential design questions. Decide where your pond will go. Choose the size that will suit your space, your physical abilities plus your budget. Consult with all who will directly benefit from the pond and waterfall - choose the spot in your garden where people tend to congregate, and place your water feature in that area.
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Decide what type of water feature you want to enjoy - how fast it will flow and how large the pond need to be to store sufficient water to keep the system running smoothly.
During your planning process, consider whether you will be able to easily access the area where the materials are to be delivered. Consider whether you will need lifting equipment. Choose small rocks for the waterfall - these do not cause the same design issues as larger rocks, and the water does not get lost around smaller rock features.
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It is a good idea to build your feature with a prepackaged kit.
Backyard pond kits
come in various sizes, and are chosen according to the amount of water that the garden pond and waterfall will hold and which requires circulation and filtering.
Layout your ideas onto your existing landscape. Outline the potential shape of the pond using a garden hose - moving it around as you decide how you want it to look. Use the natural lay of the land to help your water flow. When you have decided on your final size, volume, and shape, as well as the type of waterfall feature you would like in your garden, paint in the area with a spray can.
Spend on your materials - save on your labor and planting costs. This is the most cost-effective method of building a backyard garden pond. Skimping on low-cost materials and equipment is not advised - it costs more in the long run, breakdowns are more frequent and the liners and other equipment fail more readily.
Plants for your pond need not cost a fortune, choose plants which will flourish in your climate, plant with flora which naturally grows in your area - take a walk along your local river and see what grows there - those types of plants will do best in your back yard as well. Use oxygenating plants in the water, and maintain your filter at least once a fortnight.
It is important to maintain your pond and filter regularly, and do not overfeed your fish - they naturally will eat the algae in the water and other plant material that gets blown in. Overfed fish foul the water and do nothing to clean it up. Let your fish do your cleaning for you, and feed them only what they need.
Budget, plan, and then build your own garden pond and waterfall - raise the resale value of your home by up to 14% with a beautiful water feature - and above all else - have fun doing it.
About the Author: Garth Epp owns the website www.buildingmypond.com and is the creator of the Smarter Water Garden Advisor Series Pod Cast, through which services he advises those who are thinking about building a garden pond and water feature.
Click here to learn more about Garth and
BuildingMyPond.com.
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