Introduction
Water features add value to your home and make your garden a more attractive and relaxing area. Garden pond construction may seem difficult and involved, but most homeowners can construct their own basic ponds with minimal expertise. More involved ponds, such as those containing waterfalls, fish or exotic plants, may require the help of a garden pond construction expert.
Location
A primary complaint about garden ponds is that they are hard to care for due to rapid algae growth. Direct sunlight is the main reason for algae blooms. Place ponds in areas of your yard that naturally receive only partial or dappled sunlight. If you prefer more light in the area or don't want to lean up tree leaves from the pond, you will have to plant water plants after your garden pond construction to minimize the amount of sunlight that penetrates the water.
The best location for garden pond construction also depends on access to electricity, since ponds require pumps and filters to look their best and provide a healthy plant environment. Electricity can be run out to the pond location, although this is more expensive than using existing outlets. The pond should also be constructed in an area that is easy to reach for basic maintenance.
Pond Designs
The design of your garden pond construction is only limited by your imagination. Plastic pond forms are the simplest option for the do-it-yourself builder. These forms come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Simply dig a hole the size and shape of the form, then place the form inside. If you plan to put fish in your pond, you must use a pond form that is deep enough. Most aquatic plants need a water depth of at least 2 feet, while fish can require up to 6 feet of depth in areas that experience freezing winter temperatures.
Other options for garden pond construction are rocks or cement. You still must dig a hole in the desired shape and size, but then the hole is lined with rocks. Mortaring the rocks in place ensures they don't move around and prevents water from leaching out too quickly. Cement ponds are usually poured by companies that specialize in garden pond construction.
Plant Life
Garden pond construction isn't just about what the pond is made of, but also the plants inside and around the water feature. Floating plants are not rooted, but move around in the water freely. They provide cover for fish and add oxygen to the water. Lilies and lotus plants are necessary if your garden pond construction isn't in the shade. The large leaves of these plants set on the water surface and provide shade.
Border plants make the garden pond construction look like a natural part of the landscape by softening the edge between the water and the surrounding yard. Flowers, low shrubs or rock designs all work well for softening this edge. Work to make the pond look natural while selecting plants that can grow in an area with higher moisture levels.
