Making A Pond A Part Of Your Backyard
 Backyard ponds and water gardens are for birds,
butterflies, frogs, fish, and you and your family. These
ponds are typically small, sometimes no larger than 3 to 4
feet in diameter. They may be built in barrels or other
patio containers. Water is effective in drawing wildlife
to your backyard. It is also a natural, relaxing, and
scenic addition that can provide interest and
enjoyment.
Where to Put a Backyard Pond
Consider locating your backyard pond where you can see it
from a deck or patio. Have it blend in with its natural
surroundings. Elevate the soil around the pond slightly so that
excess water will flow away from the pond, not into it. Make
sure that any drainage from the pond is away from your house.
Plan to landscape around the pond to provide habitat for frogs
and birds that need land and water. If you plan to use a pump
to re-circulate water, use a filter, or light the area, be sure
electrical service is available. There will be less maintenance
if your pond is not under trees. Most aquatic plants will grow
better in full sun.
If you do not have space in your yard for a built-in earthen
pond, consider a "tub" pond or large water bowls. These can be
placed on the patio and provide many of the same benefits as a
built-in pond. There are numerous tub kits available that can
be as simple as adding water, a pump, and some plants. They can
also be moved inside in the winter as long as good lighting is
provided for plants.
Pond Liners
Pond liners keep water from seeping into the soil. Even in
heavy clay soils, a liner is necessary. You can buy rigid pond
liners in a variety of shapes. These are durable and may
include built-in waterfalls. Many are quite small. If you want
a larger pool or would like to design your own shape, consider
using a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) liner. Use a liner
specifically designed for pools. While other plastics initially
may be cheaper, many are not resistant to ultraviolet light and
will break down quickly. Some plastics may also be toxic to
fish. Liners also come in different thicknesses. A thicker
liner tends to be more resistant to punctures. While expensive
and requiring more expertise to install, cement is also an
option as a pool liner.
If you use PVC, you will need to get a liner large enough
for your pool. To determine how large a piece you will need,
determine the maximum width, length, and depth of your pond.
Multiply the maximum depth by 3. Then add this number to both
the length and width. This will allow enough plastic to be
securely held down around all pond edges.
Installing the Pond
You can put in a backyard pond anytime the ground is not
frozen or overly wet. If using a pre-formed liner, dig a hole
to the correct depth and slightly wider. Insert the liner,
making sure it is level and sits securely in the ground.
Backfill around the sides. Add water, pump, and plants.
Complete landscaping around the pool.
If you use a PVC liner, plan on at least a weekend to
install and landscape. Steps to install a pond with a PVC
liner:
1. Decide on your pond's location.
2. Using a hose or rope, lay out the shape of your pond on
the ground.
3. Once you are happy with the shape, start digging.
Stockpile your topsoil so you can use it to landscape around
your pond.
4. Plan for part of your pond being at least 18 to 24 inches
deep; 24 to 36 inches is even better. This will allow for a
greater diversity of plants and fish to live in the pond. You
may want to make tiers around the inside of the pond at various
depths on which to place pots of different aquatic plants. Make
tiers about 12 inches wide to accommodate the pots.
5. Remove any rocks from the excavated
area.
6. To help prevent punctures in the plastic, put a one-inch
layer of damp sand on the bottom of the excavated area.
7. Spread the plastic liner over the hole. Let it sag gently
in the hole. Place a few rocks or bricks around the edge to
hold in place.
8. Slowly start filling your pond. The weight of the water
will help smooth out the liner. Remove rocks holding the edges
to allow liner to conform to the edges of the hole. Smooth out
wrinkles but do not pull too tightly. You can walk on the liner
if you remove your shoes.
9. Finish off the pond by placing rocks around the edge to
securely hold the liner in place.
10. Install pump and filter, if desired. Many smaller pumps
have a built-in filter. For larger pools, a separate pump and
filter may be necessary. Make sure the filter and pump are
adequate for the volume of water in your pond. Pumps not only
add interest, but are important in adding oxygen to the water.
If you want a fountain or waterfall in your pond, you will need
a pump to circulate the water.
11. Let the pond sit for a few days before adding fish and
plants. This allows chlorine to evaporate from the water.
Chemicals are also available that will quickly neutralize
chlorine and other harmful compounds.
12. Place plants at various depths and add fish.
Establishing Plants
For ponds, consider a mix of emergent, submergent, and
floating species. Emergent plants, those that have their roots
in the water but their shoots above water, can be added to the
margins of pools. These include cattails (Typha spp.),
arrowhead (Sagittaria spp.), and water lilies (Nymphaea spp.).
Submergent species, or those that remain under water such as
elodea, are often used as oxygenators. These are plants that
remove carbon dioxide from the water and add oxygen. These
plants are essential in most ponds to keep the water clear.
Floating species or those that are not anchored at all in the
pond include plants such as duckweed (Lemna minor), water
lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), and water hyacinth (Eichhornia
crassipes). While attractive, water hyacinth and water lettuce
can be serious weed problems in the south; however, since they
are not winter hardy, there is no problem with them spreading
in northern climates. While not as effective as oxygenators,
these plants help keep the water clear by limiting the amount
of sunlight that algae receive. In tiny ponds created in
barrels and similar containers, these plants may be adequate to
maintain clear water.
Choosing and Establishing Plants for Ponds
1. Consider the following when selecting plants:
* How deep is the water? This will be a factor in
establishing plants and their survival over winter if you live
in colder regions. Some species need a minimum depth of 2 to 3
feet to grow well.
* Is your pond permanently installed in the ground or is it
a small tub that will be moved inside in the winter? In this
case, even tropical plants may be an option.
* Will you drain your pond in the winter? If you intend to
drain your pond, you should consider plants that can spend the
winter in a basement in a dormant state.
* How much sunlight does your pond receive?
* How large is your pond? If your pond is small, consider
dwarf species.
2. Purchase plants from a reliable vendor. Remember to
include some oxygenator plants such as elodea.
3. Emergent and submergent plants should be planted into
pots. A wide assortment of pots is available, from plastic
baskets to pulp planters. Choose pots that are large enough for
your plants.
4. If using baskets with numerous perforations, line the
basket with burlap or 2 layers of newspaper to keep the soil
from falling out of the holes.
5. Fill the container about half full with a mixture of good
garden topsoil. Do not use potting mixes or peat moss. These
are too light and will float out of the pot. Adding aquatic
plant fertilizer to this bottom layer of soil is recommended
for some species. Follow directions on the label for
amount.
6. Place the plant on top of the soil and fill the container
with topsoil within one inch of the top.\
7. When planting water lily rhizomes, make a mound of soil
in the middle of the pot. Place the rhizome at a 45 degree
angle. The crown of the rhizome should be toward the center of
the pot. Cover the roots with soil, but not the crown.
8. In all cases, add a layer of gravel to the top of the
pot. This will help keep the soil from floating out and prevent
fish from digging in the soil.
9. Slowly place the pots in the pool to keep soil from
floating out. Place pots on bricks to get the desired
height.
10. Floating species can be placed directly into the pond
with no other care needed.
Plants should cover 50 to 70 percent of the water surface.
Native plants usually do not need fertilizer. For some exotic
water lilies, limited fertilizing once yearly may be required.
Check with your nursery on care of plants and how deep to place
potted plants. Be aware that overfertilizing may cause unwanted
algae blooms which can rob the water of oxygen.
Add Fish and Scavengers
Consider stocking your backyard pond with native fish. They
are fun to watch and help keep the pond free of unwanted
insects. Most small ponds will warm up quickly in the summer,
so make sure you stock with fish that can tolerate elevated
temperatures.
You'll also need scavengers, such as aquatic snails and
tadpoles, to help control algae. In cold climates, a heater may
be necessary for fish to survive the winter. However, this uses
a significant amount of electricity and, in most cases,
probably is not justified. A better option may be to set up an
indoor aquarium in which to overwinter fish and plants.
Maintenance
Algae is a common problem in many newly established ponds.
The water often becomes an unsightly green after a few days.
While your first instinct is to drain the pond and start over,
this only prolongs the problem. Once a pond is "balanced,"
algae usually are kept at an acceptable level. A balanced pond
is one in which the nutrients are at the appropriate level for
the plants present. Excess nutrients and light are needed for
algae. Reducing the nutrients and decreasing the amount of
light entering the water will help reduce algae. Floating
plants or those with broad leaves such as water lilies will
help reduce the amount of light available for algae and compete
for available nutrients. Scavengers such as snails will help
clean up wastes from the bottom of the pond.
Pond filters can help reduce algae, but require maintenance.
Filters need to be cleaned frequently if algae is a problem.
Chemicals can also be used to control algae. Use cautiously as
they can be toxic to other plants and aquatic life. The need
for algaecides should decrease as plants become
established.
Excessive plant growth, especially of free-floating plants,
may be a problem. Periodically skim off excess growth of
duckweed, water lettuce, and other floating plants. Monthly,
prune dying plant material. Clean out some of the decaying
plant material that has accumulated in the bottom of the pond
in the spring. Remember: a natural pond is not a swimming pool
and too much cleaning can do more harm than good.
Safety
Locate the backyard pond where it is unlikely to attract
unattended children. Check local safety ordinances to determine
if a fence is required for the specific depth and size of your
pond. Check local building ordinances for depth and safety
restrictions and permits. Equip outdoor outlets with a
ground-fault circuit interrupter. Unplug the pump before
cleaning the filter.
On the Farm
A properly located and maintained pond can reduce gully
erosion and improve water quality. Ponds provide water for
livestock, waterfowl, and fish; store water for emergencies;
and add beauty to the landscape. Wildlife use ponds for water
and habitat.
Ponds can become the focal point of your property and with a
little planning and regular maintenance, a pond will porvide
years of enjoyment.
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