The value of water gardens has been seen throughout history. Water gardens were used in many ancient cultures from the Ancient Egyptians, the Romans, and the Greek who incorporated many of the same principles used today. Some of these characters include the incorporation of goldfish and koi, pond plants, like marginal’s and floaters, that help to produce oxygen. Homeowners should research the size and type of water feature that fits not only their space, but their ability to maintain the feature as well.
Once you decide you want to add a water pond to your setting, create a rough drawing or sketch of the look you want to create. Take measurements of your areas, and transfer those dimensions to graph paper to create a plan. It may be beneficial to construct your pond over a few years, to spread out the amount of construction and costs.
Here is a list of items that a considered basic material for Pond Construction:
The following are the basic construction materials involved in the pond’s construction:
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A pond liner: these can be made from fiberglass, butyl, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), vinyl or any other flexible waterproof material.
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Skimmer: these catch any debris before it gets pumped back into the water feature
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Filter: There are many choices of filters, but they are important in cleaning impurities from the water.
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Pumps: This is important because pumps oxygenate the water, keeping it moving, preventing stagnation. This also keeps pond plant life healthy.
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Thermometers: These help regulate your ponds temperature, this comes in handy as the weather starts to get cooler, or if you have plants or animals that must live in specific temperature ranges living in your pond.
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Lightning: This can add dimension and appeal to your pond, as well as allow you to enjoy your outdoor setting long into the evening hours!
Water ponds include much needed seasonal maintenance. The primary goal is to maintain a constant water level. This will need to be checked more regularly in direr climates and hot seasons. During the summer months, pH checks should be performed monthly, and should register between 7.0 and 8.0. Depending on the structures in your pond, winter draining may be necessary to prevent freezing and cracking. Plant trimming and maintenance should also be performed in the Fall and Spring. Cleaning debris from the pond with a net helps to keep the pond clean. Be sure to keep chloramines, found in public water, out of your pond, as they contain harmful organisms that can kill your plant or animal life.
Water ponds are a wonderfully way to add a soothing and relaxing element to your garden or backyard setting. The element of water is both soothing and aesthetically pleasing. Water features are sure to bring a serene touch to your landscape.
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