Designing garden ponds
Designing ponds, or garden ponds as they are often called, can seem a little daunting at first. A myriad of questions can arise that can confuse or discourage the homeowner from even starting the project. How big should the pond be? Should it be a garden pond, koi pond or swimming pond? Can I implement the features I want? While the “professionals” would have you think that the answers to these and other questions are worth paying them hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars, I’m here to tell you that life isn’t that hard. A garden pond is not only one of the easier things to install in the landscape, but it is also one of the most rewarding. If you can answer these questions about your pond dreams, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying the pearl of your outdoor environment!
The first and most important question to ask yourself is “What is the purpose of this garden pond?” Every pond has to be there for a reason. These should not be earth-shattering motivations, but we must understand that the lake exists to meet a need in our lives. What is that need for you? Do you desire the ambiance that a garden pond can create, with its bubbling fountains and gentle lapping of cascading water? Or maybe you want to see birds drinking from your garden pond and see fish swimming around the base of the lilies. If you’re like me, your pond should be deep enough to give you room to cool off in the hot summer sun while also tickling your ears! Whatever your reasons for creating a pond, make sure they are truly YOUR reasons. You don’t want to go through all the work of building a shelter only to not get proper enjoyment out of it!
The second question you need to answer is “What type of pond will fill this need?” There are 3 main types of lakes to choose from. The first (and most popular) pond is called a water garden. A water garden is a pond created to support both plant and animal life. It can be relatively small to accommodate small spaces and should have fish that don’t get too big. The second type of lake is the koi pond. Koi ponds are much larger than a standard water garden simply because Koi fish tend to grow quite large. Koi ponds can also only support certain types of flora because Koi fish like to eat plants! The third type of pond to choose from is the Swimming Pond, my favorite! The main defining attribute of the Swimming Pond is its ability to accommodate full submersion, with a depth capable of cooling even the hottest of homeowners. Some of you may be thinking of combining a Koi Pond with a Swimming Pond in a sort of hybrid, and just for the record, I don’t recommend it! Peace-loving fish, the shock of a swimming friend may be too much for them. They can also disappear into a depth that makes them difficult to see. Who wants a koi pond if you can’t see the koi fish?
The last question is about the characteristics of your garden pond. What do you want to see in your landscape? Do you love the sight of water spilling over the edge of the falls? Perhaps you enjoy the gentle sounds of streams flowing into your pond with a soothing stability found only in nature! How about the strength and longevity of a properly placed stone here and there? No matter what features you choose, the most important factor to consider at this stage is price! What is your total budget? Try to stick to this as closely as possible. The worst feeling in the world is a pond project meant to bring peace and tranquility is halted by lack of funds!
Garden ponds can be a welcome addition to any outdoor space! With a little time and some honest answers to simple questions, anyone can create a pond that fills their space with the exact atmosphere they desire. Just remember that the best person to design your garden pond is YOU (because you have to live with it)!
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