Digging A Backyard Pond

Again a small pond is easier to construct less digging and rock placement but it s actually harder to maintain. Ensure that the sides are level as you dig by placing a plank across the pond s hole with a spirit level on top. A garden pond adds beauty elegance and lively interest to a yard whether a fish pond a receiving basin for a waterfall or simply a placid body of water for meditation and reflection a garden pond provides a focal point that enhances nearly all yards but to successfully create a garden pond that looks natural it helps to follow a few basic guidelines to make the building go smoother and.

small patio backyard ideas summer backyard games toddler backyard playsets simple backyard deck ideas the backyard barbecue store tiles for backyard raccoons in backyard small backyard designs australia

Digging can be fun but there are many soil types that can cause all sorts of pond excavation challenges.

Digging a backyard pond. Define the perimeter of the. Digging out a pond is done either by hand or with earth moving equipment. A small feature is less stable than a larger volume of water and most people end up making the water garden larger later down the road because they not only love it but their plants and fish outgrow a small feature.

If you re planning a small pond that isn t very deep and you re in good shape go ahead and use a shovel. The liner we re using for this pond is 18 inches deep so we re digging down to 21 inches. It is better for wildlife if you put the pond in a warm sunny area tadpoles dragonflies and plants with thrive in these conditions.

A hired installer should get rid of it for you but if you dig your own hole use the soil to raise the grade around the pond or to build a waterfall. Digging even a small pond will create a large pile of soil. First mark out your pond on the ground with a rope or hosepipe and then get digging.

Midsummer requires a pick ax to chisel through the hardened clay. Spring and fall are the best times for excavation because the clay is softer. Dig a couple of inches wider than the actual shape of your pond and 3 inches deeper than the liner.

Move the liner aside and begin digging out the area. Once decided it is a good tip to mark out the proposed pond with garden hose or sand in a plastic bottle string or paint spray so you have a visual plan showing the position of the pond relevant to the rest of the garden see image left. The size of the pond will depend the space available and personal preference.

To build a backyard pond start by using a spade or excavator to dig out the pond so it s at least 7 feet by 4 feet across and 1 5 feet deep. Ponds are probably the single most important wildlife feature that can be added to a garden attracting a host of creatures from birds to frogs and beneficial insects. You ll need this space to allow for a layer of sand to act as a base for the shell.

If you are planning on digging it by hand be forewarned that it s probably going to be much more difficult than you think. Then spread a thin layer of builder s sand over the bottom of the pond and cover it with a pond liner that s at least 4 feet larger than the pond itself.

Source : pinterest.com