GARDEN PONDS FOR THE FUN OF IT!

Has it been a late winter and early spring full of solving one problem to turn around and see another one facing you that must be solved now? If it has, just think how nice and relaxing it would be to come home change into comfortable clothes, slide into your favorite lawn chair in a quite shady spot in the garden and listen to cool babbling sounds of water cascading over and between layers of rock into a pool below.

This type of setting could be in your backyard with a little planning and work. Even the preparation for the pond area can provide you with stress relief from the everyday rigors. A pond properly placed and maintained can become one of the main focal points of the garden (landscape). The focal point could be for you and the wildlife in your landscape, including birds, fish and others.

The selection of the pond site is up to you and possibly your family. You may want to factor in several things when considering the site, this includes, easy access from the house, a small open space not so full of tree roots, avoid water run-off areas, a partial shade area and any other factors that are specific to your site requirements.

You can build your pond in several ways. The two most commonly used methods today are the use of preformed black plastic ponds or black liners that take the form of the pond you dig. The shape and depths vary and plan for this before you begin. The pond should be no more shallow than 12 inches. If you plan to have fish or aquatic plants the pond needs to be deeper, fish do not typically tolerate water sources that have heat build-up from the sun.

After picking your spot, lay off the shape with a garden hose if you are using the liner as your base. The tools you will need are a shovel/spade, a carpenter's level, gloves, goggles (possibly), sand (base support), black liner (suitable for fish), a submerged pump with a power cord (length to meet the site), gravel and a bell nozzle. If you need to dechlorinate the water then a water conditioner will be needed.

Dig the pond beginning with the outlined area and work to the inside. Keep the inside walls steep and with the level make sure the edge of the pond is level. If you plan to have plant shelves, dig out the shelves while you shape the pond, don't come back later and add the shelves, they will collapse under the weight. Once the pond is completely dug out make sure all roots, rocks and other sharp penetrating objects are removed before adding the liner. Spread the sand as evenly as possible on the bottom and sides before placing the liner, you may need to dampen the sand to set the sides. Old carpets or newspapers have also been used as a substitute for sand.

Now you are ready to place the liner. Allow the liner to settle into the middle of the pond. From this point work the liner to the shape of the pond, folding the liner as needed to meet the shape. The important thing to remember is to allow at least 1 foot of the liner to extend out around the pond. Now begin to slowly fill the pond with water allowing the liner to settle where it needs to move. Next place flat rocks on the liner that extended out over the edge of the pond and set the rocks such that they overhang the liner over the pond to protect it from the suns UV rays.

You now have gone though the planning and initial installation of a soon-to-be very enjoyable part of your landscape. Check with your local garden center about fountains, fish, plants and more. By: Stephen Greer

Mark Blevins , Horticulture Agent