Ponds can add beauty and visual interest to a garden space. An inground pond attracts wildlife and offers a quiet space within the landscape. It is possible to create a multi purpose inground pond for your lawn in many ways. The most frequent procedures are with a large plastic container, paving stones or using a flexible pond liner. Although not needed, adding a filtration system will enhance the water quality for pond life.
Preformed Plastic Pond
Preformed plastic ponds are large parts of shaped plastic made to act as a base for inground ponds. Preformed ponds can be bought from home improvement stores and garden centers. To install a preformed pond, dig a hole the width, length and depth of your preferred plastic pond. Insert a 1-inch layer of sand to the base of the hole for equilibrium. Place the preformed pond at the hole and then fill in soil around the sides to fill any gaps, packing the soil firmly as you move for equilibrium. If you decide to use a filtration system, install it accordingly. Make sure that the edges of the plastic pond are above ground level, to prevent runoff into your pond. Once your preformed pond is in place, add a 2- to 3-inch layer of gravel to the bottom to encourage wildlife. Fill the pond with water and allow it to settle for at least 24 hours prior to adding fish or plants to your pond.
Plastic Container
A large plastic planter or bathtub produces a fast and effortless base for a DIY in-ground pond and is often cheaper than a preformed pond. Simply dig a hole in your lawn the approximate width and depth of your plastic container. Fill the base of the hole using a 1-inch layer of sand, and place the container in the hole. It is better to dig a hole that is too large than too little, since soil can be added to fill in the gaps. A layer of gravel at the bottom of the container will help anchor it and will encourage wildlife. Following the container is in position, it can be full of water, plants and fish, if the water is of the perfect quality. It is crucial to select a container with no holes at its base so the water does not leak into the ground.
Stone Pond
For the stone pond, start by digging a hole for your pond at the desirable size. The surfaces of the pond ought to be vertical to the underside to make laying the stones simpler. The pond bottom should be as flat as possible. A trench the width of your paving stones should be dug around the base perimeter, so the first layer of side stones can rest inside it. When the hole is created, put in a flexible pond liner (a massive sheet of waterproof, weather-resistant plastic) to the hole and then press it down firmly. The pond liner will stop water from passing between your pond and the surrounding ground. Anchor the edges of the pond liner across the rim of the pond using heavy stones, and trim off the excess liner. Secure the liner edges with stones and packaged soil. Next, press paving stones to the bottom and sides of the hole, beginning with the base. If your stones do not absolutely interlock, you can fill in the gaps with smaller stones. A layer of gravel at the bottom of the pond will create good base cover for wildlife.
Freeform Pond
A free-form do-it-yourself pond needs the very best work, but also allows the creative independence, since the pond can be any shape you would like. Using a string or garden hose, sketch out the shape of your pond on the ground surface. Dig the hole for your pond accordingly. For a free-form pond, smoothing the bottom and sides of the hole is especially important. Eliminate any large stones and roots in the hole, and soften the edges with a layer of sand, and a layer of burlap before inserting the flexible pond liner. The liner ought to be categorized as “fish protected,” because it will be in direct touch with fish from your pond. The edges of the pond liner must be securely attached with stones and tightly packed topsoil above the water line to prevent slippage and runoff. A layer of gravel at the bottom of the pond can help anchor the liner and can benefit wildlife.