We make a pond. Artificial pond - do-it-yourself device of a reservoir in the country

The water zone is what any garden needs. After all, real rest is the sun, water, a river or a pond. And if you are not a happy owner of a house on the shore of the water surface, make a pond or a hint of it yourself. In some cases, a very small area will suffice, which will fill the site with a special lake mood. But if possible, make a few separate islands of freshness in the garden.

Homemade pond in a metal bath

Pick up really large capacity for water. It can be an old galvanized bath, or a technical tank. Pour in water and move some plants from a nearby lake or quarry. If the pond turned out to be large enough, you can even put small fish into it.

Zinc Bucket Fountain

Any dishes of previous years will look very colorful in the garden. Find something interesting at the flea market or in your own barn. Fill the bucket with large stones and install a special garden fountain pump.

Construction of ceramic pots

Several pots of the same color, but different size can become the basis of a beautiful composition with small fountain in the center. Leave one of the pots classic - let flowers grow in it.

Buy a water garden

The easiest way to organize a water garden is to buy special plants from the store. They are ready to transplant and won't cause you too much trouble. Use a large pot without a drainage hole.

Small pond from a plastic container

Place a plastic container for storing small things in a hole that repeats its shape. Lay on all sides paving slabs and large pebbles. Cover the bottom of the container with pebbles or sand.

By the same principle, you can organize a pond from a plastic bucket.

Small pool of old furniture

You can use the entire shelves or put together a rectangular box by disassembling the cabinet into planks. Cover the inside with a film, fixing it with a layer of earth. You can insert a small plastic bath into the box.

Enamel basin

Even such a simple solution will look good in the garden. Can be planted in one garden aquatic plants, and in the other - ordinary.

Use large flowerpots

Huge pots made of ceramic or plastic do not have to be filled with soil to the brim. Aquatic plants will be able to take root in them perfectly.

Fountain from an old stump

Instead of uprooting the stump, equip it with a small fountain pump. Another option is to make a recess in which you can build small pond with jugs.

How nice it is to enjoy beautiful images of nature, to breathe clean air. And for this there is wonderful place- dacha. Here you can realize your ideas. One of them is building a pond in the country with your own hands. Near such a reservoir it will be not only pleasant to relax, but also boldly brag to guests about a masterpiece created by oneself. The dimensions of the pond will depend on the free space on the territory, and the arrangement will depend on the personal imagination of each and financial possibilities.

General principles

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Before proceeding with the direct construction, you need to carefully prepare. For this you will need:

determine the location
choose the shape, size and style
purchase the necessary materials

Planting of vegetation around the reservoir is carried out at the final stage.

Location determination

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For good functionality and attractiveness of the pond, it is necessary to correctly select a place for it. It should not be under the scorching rays of the sun, as well as in the shade of trees. Lighting plays a big role because planted flowers around will not be able to fully grow with a lack of light.

The open area is not the best place for a pond for the following reasons:

Resting on hot days under the scorching rays of the sun will be unpleasant
Unicellular algae at in large numbers the lights grow stronger and cause the water to bloom
The living organisms that will inhabit the pond will die from the heat at a shallow depth.

The best option is a site that is not surrounded by trees nearby and is located next to a building or fence. Here in the morning and evening the sun is not so hot, and at noon the shadow cast from the building will give the necessary coolness.

It is not worth planting trees near the reservoir, because. they can ruin the base of the pond with their roots. For the same reason, do not place a reservoir next to an already growing garden.

It is necessary to think in advance nearby and a source of electricity for arranging lighting, installing a filter, a pump.

The construction of a decorative pond does not have strict requirements. The shape may be different. The perimeter, as an addition to the overall design of the site, is decorated with plants.

In order not to miscalculate with the location, it is advisable to pre-draw the outlines of the future artificial lake with twine or sand. During the day, you need to observe how the lighting will change.

Form and style

Whatever design is chosen, it must be combined with general view throughout the territory. For example, a round pond looks good in an area designed in the genre of an English landscape. Irregular shapes suitable for giving, made in oriental style.

No need to try to design a pond, adhering to clear geometric shapes. It is important that the form is simply in harmony with general design garden.

As far as the free area of the site allows, this will be the size of the future creation. It's important to know that a large reservoir is easier to maintain. It is easier to create a stable and sustainable ecosystem in it.

materials

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In order to equip an artificial reservoir and provide waterproofing protection, various materials are used:

Concrete- often used to create precise geometric lines. Relatively complex building
Plastic containers - used in small areas (up to 5 m2). They are simple to install. They have a long service life
waterproofing film- good for a special project. It has elasticity, but is easily damaged. There are the following types:

PVC (polyvinyl chloride)– deformed areas are easily removed with glue
Polyethylene- at a lower cost, but not durable. In case of damage, self-adhesive tape helps
Butyl rubber- most best view. used different thickness. The greater the depth is assumed, the thicker the film is selected

Plastic mold base

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With the acquisition finished form, you can create an artificial lake with your own hands quickly and easily. Even a beginner can handle the installation. It will take no more than 2 days.

Plastic is resistant to temperature and UV rays, but requires great care when installing. It is very easy to damage, without the ability to effectively close the cracks.

Also used for garden ponds prefabricated structures made from fiberglass. This material is more expensive. It also has reliability and is able to last much longer than plastic.

Installation of the plastic mold is carried out in the following order:

Initially, you will need to dig a pit that matches the shape of the workpiece. For this, the finished container is installed on the ground. Around it, along the perimeter, with an indent to the sides by 15-20 cm, sticks are stuck into the ground. A rope is stretched over them. The plastic container is removed for a short time. A hole is dug according to the outlined outlines. In height, it should be 30 cm more. At the end of work, it is necessary to check the evenness of the bottom using a board or a special device
The bottom of the pit is covered with a layer of sand, which will work as a base. Then the form itself is installed. All free gaps between the walls of the mold and the edges of the pit are covered with sand and moistened with water. This will ease the shrinkage
The final stage is filling the form with water and decorating the banks with beautiful stones, planting plants

film base

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The use of a waterproofing film as a base provides great opportunities for recreating a reservoir different shapes, even the most unusual.

PVC film is also not afraid of exposure to ultraviolet rays, temperature changes. Its color lasts for a very long time. The service life is up to 10-15 years.

More reliable is a butyl rubber film. For the price it is more expensive. It is used to create deep ponds.

The material is bought with a margin (+50 cm on each side), for good anchorage its edges along the banks.

Work is carried out in the following order:

The outlines are marked with lime or sand
A shallow ditch is dug. Excavated earth is not thrown away
New outlines are indicated. The deepest should be the bottom
Using twine and a measuring tape, the required footage of waterproofing material is calculated
The bottom is covered with a layer of sand. Then non-woven or geotextile is spread to protect the film from possible contact with roots or stones
The film is slipping. The bottom and ledges are pressed down with pebbles
The pond is slowly filling with water. It is important that the base material settles gradually
After 2-3 days, the shores are drawn up. The edges of the cellophane are tucked in. Tiles, stones are placed on top, with filling the resulting gaps with sand

Basis from an old bath

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In fact, to recreate a decorative reservoir, any containers that are no longer suitable for farming can be used as a basis. For example, old bath.

The course of action will be as follows:

Under the dimensions of the bath, +20 cm on each side, a pit is dug. In depth, it should be slightly larger than the base. A groove is dug along its perimeter. It should be about 30 cm in height and width.
The bottom of the pit is carefully leveled. Its horizontalness is checked using a special measuring tool.
The bath is installed in the pit. Empty gaps on the sides are covered with sand (soil)
Next, you need to prepare a mixture consisting of tile adhesive and water. Pigment is added to give color. This mass is applied to the sides of the base from the inside. You don't have to try to get it right. Walls will acquire dark color and structure similar to natural soil
During the day, the glue should completely dry. To do this, everything is covered with cellophane and left
To better strengthen the bath, a metal mesh is laid on its sides. It is cut into pieces and laid along the borders and inside the base (by 1/2 depth). The bottom is left uncovered
Next, a solution (cement, water, sand) is prepared for bonding and applied on top of the mesh. It also doesn't need to be leveled much. For greater naturalness and strengthening of the mesh, stones are inserted into the mixture. The drain is carefully cemented
Clay is poured on the bottom of the base, water is added and the solution is kneaded. They are smeared on the sides to close the cement and fill the void between the stones. Allow the solution to dry for several hours.
The finished base is filled with water. In a circle, aquatic vegetation is planted in the grooves.

After a couple of days, the water will become a little cloudy. A decorative lake will look quite natural, hiding its true origin.

Along the edges of the base, it is better to lay large stones on the grid. This will give clarity to the shape of the pond, and naturalness to the banks. When unfolding the fragments, it is not necessary to observe the severity of the forms. The relief will look more natural with bumps and elevations. And if you alternate large stones with handfuls of rubble, then this will add more beauty to the emerging pattern.

Decoration

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Creating such beauty is troublesome, but the result will justify itself.

A homemade pond looks very beautiful if fish swim in it and plants grow around it. This is truly a painting.

Under the different depths of the reservoir, certain vegetation is selected:

no more than 30 cm- yellow iris, marsh marigold, heart-shaped pontederia
30-50 cm- common arrowhead, reed, broad-leaved cattail
over 50 cm- water lilies, lotuses, water hyacinths

Of the fish, crucians, veiltails are well suited to the home lake, certain types carp family. So that the water does not deteriorate, and the living creatures do not suffer, a filter is installed without fail.

Creating a decorative lake on a personal plot is a bit troublesome, but the result will be justified. This is an incredibly beautiful place to relax, which is fully consistent with the tastes of the owners. It will be possible every day to enjoy the water surface, bordered by tastefully selected plants. Which is especially true on hot days.

Every plant has its place

Even with the appropriate experience in arranging, some mistakes are sometimes made. Here are some tips to help you avoid disappointment in your own work:

No need to be afraid to pour earth into the created lake. When gardening, many prefer to plant plants in plastic containers. It is not right. Plants grow best in natural soil. It contains clay, which strengthens well root system and does not wash out with water. The pond will not be dirty
For decoration, it is better to use stones of different sizes. In this matter, it is important not to overdo it, so as not to get an absurd picture of a stone-filled area.
Greater depth is not the point. Earthmoving firms are more likely to dig deep reservoirs. This is done for profit only. If the plans are to organize a pond with further breeding of fish in it, the average depth will be enough
For the purity, freshness of the reservoir and the transparency of the water in it, installation of a special filter and pump is required. The pump must be selected correctly, because. its power depends on the volume of water
Each plant must grow in its place. Most often, it is in this situation that mistakes are made. It must be remembered that, for example, a water lily planted in the coastal zone will wither away. The same thing will happen with a fern in shallow water. List of plants with favorable zones for them:

coastline: fluffy, kaluzhnik, highlander snake
coastal area: elderberry, lily of the valley, conifers
area with water depth up to 20 cm: susak, arrowhead, reed
area with a water depth of more than 20 cm: jar, jug
decorations according to the water level add duckweed and water paint

In appearance, the pump resembles a small container that is easy to disguise with stones. It is placed on concrete slab or brick. For laying water pipe and electrical wires are marked. According to her in reinforced pipe the cable is placed. Everything is covered with stones. A breaker is used to connect the pump to electricity. Do not forget about the timely filter change.

The pond in the garden is a wonderful place to relax on a hot summer day. Those lucky ones whose dachas are located on the banks of a river or lake are incredibly lucky. If there is no natural reservoir nearby, you will have to build an artificial pond yourself.

We outline an action plan

To begin with, let's try to figure out where to place a man-made reservoir in the country. It is advisable to take a place for him at the stage of designing a summer cottage.

Photo: marking the territory for a decorative pond on the site

Users often search:

The pond must meet the following criteria:

be in an open place - foliage and branches from trees will clog the water, and the roots will damage the artificial bottom of the pond;
do not fall under prolonged exposure to direct sunlight - constantly heated water provokes the rapid development of microorganisms and algae. The pond will quickly become cloudy and begin to exude an unpleasant musty smell.

Photo: a small pond on a site with a wooden bridge

It would be useful to provide for the option of expanding the surface of the man-made lake over time. Perhaps you want to transform a mini-pond into a full-fledged water complex - with a bridge and a small fountain.

Experienced builders recommend making the pond shallow - after all, it is used mainly as a beautiful detail of the surrounding landscape. In addition, immediately think about how you are going to care for the pond. Make a convenient approach to the pond - of course, not through the garden or alpine slides.

You will have to change the water yourself, because it is not purified naturally as in natural lakes and rivers. Therefore, make sure that the tap in the country is in close proximity to the artificial reservoir.

Choosing a base material

Before you grab a shovel, decide what will serve as the basis for an artificial pond. There are several standard solutions. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of popular options.

Reinforced concrete structure

With this material, you can create a durable pond. The bottom and banks, filled with concrete and reinforced with reinforcement, will withstand various additional loads - the installation of a fountain, for example, or sculptural compositions on the banks.

The complexity of the process makes it inappropriate to use this technology for the construction of small reservoirs or decorative ponds in the country. To negative aspects Such a solution includes the high cost of erecting man-made lakes from reinforced concrete. You will have to use a lot of building materials, rent special equipment. The dismantling of the structure will also cause difficulties, so it is immediately necessary to carefully consider the location of the pond.

PVC film

This is a budget solution for creating a simple country pond. The shape and depth of such a structure is easy to change, you can also expand or reduce the size. A pond with a PVC base is often made seasonal - for example, they fall asleep for the winter and re-equip in the spring.

By cons such a decision the fragility and fragility of the film coating is related - this material can be easily damaged, and if the tightness is broken, the water from the pond will quickly go into the ground. Therefore, swimming or indulging in such home lakes is not recommended, they are intended to decorate a summer cottage.

Photo: decorative pond with a bridge in the landscape design of a summer cottage

Artificial shop reservoirs

This option is the golden mean for those who dream of their own pond and at the same time do not want to bother with the materials to create it. Shop forms for artificial reservoirs made from durable and durable materials- polyvinyl chloride or fiberglass.

The latter option is much more expensive. But the cost of such a product is fully offset by the high performance of the material. It is easy to install such a form on your own, without involving friends or acquaintances in the process. The disadvantage of the option is that the pit will have to be dug under the form, and not vice versa.

In this case, the opportunity to use the unevenness of the relief to create natural coastal outlines is lost. In addition, the method will cost much more than using a film or improvised materials. The photo below shows a finished form for arranging a pond in the country.

We make a reservoir from improvised materials

One more interesting option- the use of various containers that have become unusable. old cast iron bathtubs, troughs, vagans - all unnecessary containers are useful for construction.

The advantages of this method are that you do not have to buy standard forms or erect bulky reinforced concrete structures. The disadvantages include the low decorativeness of old containers - you will have to show imagination and skills in order to make, for example, a small Japanese-style pond out of a dilapidated trough.

Mini pond of tires

For those who have a catastrophic lack of space in the country, craftsmen recommend using a simple and convenient tire pond. The old car tires are dug in, a film is laid inside, and the banks of the mini-reservoir are drawn up at their own request.

The result obtained sometimes surprises even experienced landscape designers - a finished pond in the country becomes an exclusive detail personal plot. For example, who will say that this pond in the photo is made from an old car tire?

foundation pit

Once the material is selected, it is time to start earthworks. The best time to do this is in the summer when ground water will leave as much as possible. The depth of the pit is calculated based on the material chosen as the basis. If this is a finished form or an old bath, they dig a pit 20-30 cm deeper than the tank parameters.

If the construction of a PVC film pond is planned, it will be necessary to dig to a depth of about 80 cm, since a shallow reservoir will completely freeze in winter and dry quickly in the summer heat. For reinforced concrete ponds, they dig a pit with a depth of more than one and a half meters - here you can’t do without special equipment.

Film reservoir construction technology

When the pit is ready, it remains to clean the bottom and make small terraces about a third of a meter deep and up to 20 cm wide on the sides of the future mini-lake. The bottom of the reservoir is compacted, stones, rubble, pebbles, and foreign objects are removed. The cleaned surface of the pit is sprinkled with washed sand and lined with a geotextile. Such preparation of the bottom will significantly increase the strength and service life of the coating.

The next step is the laying of the film. The size of the canvas is calculated as follows: it is necessary to add the length of the coastline to twice the depth of the reservoir. The material is fixed on the terraces with a margin of about 50 cm. The laid film is laid with bricks or stones - this is done to preserve the shape.

Then they fill the pond with water, check the tightness of the film and begin work on the design of the coastline. Do not cut off the remaining film under the bricks too quickly. It will serve as a hydro-sealant during the construction of the blind area.

We build a pond from an old tank

To equip a country mini-lake from an unnecessary bath or other container, you will need:

a piece of chain-link mesh;
some rubble;
decorative stones;
coil of aluminum or steel wire;
cement, sand or ready mix concrete.

After the pit is dug and a bath is installed in it (30 centimeters below ground level), they begin to equip the coastline. To do this, around the entire perimeter of the future pond, upper layer soil at least 40 cm wide and dig a trench, the depth of which reaches the upper edge of the installed container.

To give naturalness to the man-made lake, tile glue is applied to the bottom and walls of the bath. After processing, the container is allowed to dry well - usually this takes at least two days.

Then, a chain-link mesh is laid around the entire perimeter of the bath, which is necessary to reinforce the sides and bottom of the pond. They put on it concrete mortar or sand-cement mixture and let dry. Next comes the turn decorative design banks: planting plants, decorating with stones, paving paths, installing figures and other design techniques.

Thematic material:

Pond from the finished mold

The pit prepared for the reservoir is cleaned from branches, piles of earth and other debris. The bottom and walls of the pit are rammed. If the countryside has too loose soils, they are strengthened. For the finished form, a perfectly flat surface of the pit is important. The plane is leveled with a building level.

The bottom of the future pond is covered with clean washed sand, which is also compacted. This layer ensures the integrity of the finished form.

After that, the container is placed in a pit and filled with water. Empty spaces between the sides of the mold and the walls of the pit are filled with sand, and this is done gradually. First, a layer of 25-30 cm thick is poured and watered. After uniform distribution sand action is repeated until the space between the installed bowl and the walls of the pit is completely filled.

Carrying out this procedure is mandatory, since the form for an artificial reservoir is quite fragile and easily deformed. Even pressure from all sides will prevent warping.

After 24 hours, the gap between the sides of the tank and the walls of the pit is checked: if there are voids, sand is added to them. Then the water is pumped out of the pond, the mold is finally washed and poured clean water.

The final stage is the decoration of the finished mini-lake at your discretion. Doesn't exist here strict rules and trends. Just make sure that the country pond brings pleasure and joy. After all, that's what it's set up for.

I really want to relax after summer heat and physical labor near a picturesque place. Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is water. Unfortunately, not all land owners are lucky to have a pond in their country house. Therefore, many summer residents equip a mini pond in the country with their own hands. We will talk about this in this article.

Perhaps at first you will have questions: how to do it? what material? where to place? But believe me, you can build a pond with your own hands. Especially we are talking about a small pond in the country - mini copies of reservoirs from 0.5 to 1.5 m3.

Design of the future pond

Thanks to today's technologies, the owner can build a pond of any complexity. For example, there are three possible options for small pond: wrap a recess in the ground with a film and fill it with water; use a ready-made container that may be right at hand; fill the walls of the recess in the ground with concrete and fill with water.

Option 1

To get started, create a project for the future pond on paper. Consider the width, depth, and sills for planting. Start drawing contours on the ground. This can be done with paint or sand.

If several tiers are planned in the pond, then mark them out and dig them out one by one

Purchase a film for your pond with a calculation of +0.5 m on the sides on the sides of the pit bowl. More purchases will be needed: geofabric is a material that is laid on the bottom and walls of the bowl to protect the film from damage. Although you can use something from the bins: an unnecessary carpet, old linoleum.

Geofabric for reservoirs

You can fix the film with rubble, laying it in trenches dug along the edges of the thresholds. Fill the pond with water gradually, taking breaks. Lay out the shore line with stones and cover the bottom of the pond with small pebbles.

Option 2

First, decide on the shape of the container in which the water will be. Then dig a pit under it, retreating 30 cm from the sides. Tamp the bottom so that it is even. If you have chosen a multi-tiered plastic mold, then pour water gradually, and fill the space between the form and the bowl of the pit with sand.

There are many other options for little pond in the country. Can be used:

Unnecessary bath. Mark the area with the dimensions of the bathroom, adding 10 cm on the sides. Dig the pit 20 cm deeper. Under the drain hole of the bathtub, make a drain with stones for draining. Pour crushed stone with sand at the bottom of the pit and tamp it down.
Taz. We follow the path of least resistance and use the most a budget option, because even a leaky basin can be used by covering the hole with a film. Leave the edges of the basin above the ground. Under the bottom and between the walls of the basin and the pit, lay a layer of a solution of clay and sand. Fill the bottom of the basin with soil to plant the duckweed and bury it, or whatever you choose. Such a pond will be miniature and beautiful.

Bathroom pond

And more tires, a barrel, a boat, or even old wardrobe! It is convenient that some of these containers can be brought into the house for the winter. Indeed, making a pond with your own hands is not difficult!

How to make a pond from the bathroom (video tutorial)

Option 3

I think many will agree that to build a pond according to the third option, some, at least basic builder skills are needed. But at the same time, do not let this scare you, because any summer resident or owner of a plot in the private sector is already a bit of a builder. And as a reward for your work, you will have almost eternal paradise in my yard.

Stages of construction of a reservoir in the country (video)

Seriously approach the choice of the location of the pond, because it will be impossible to move it. Now you can start.

If you decide to make a reservoir without thresholds, then this will greatly simplify the task. Dig a pit with slopes at 45 degrees. Tamp the hole and fill it with sand.

Place PET on the bottom or pvc film without pulling it too hard. Start pouring concrete from the walls, and then go to the bottom.

Try to do this part of the work in one day to avoid cracks at the joints.

Press in reinforced mesh. Pour the second layer of concrete as soon as the first one dries. Constantly check the level of the horizon. Pour in water when the concrete is completely cured.

concrete pond

Before deciding on the option of building a pond, decide which design idea will look especially organic on your site. If the house, paths and flower beds are designed in a strict style, feel free to break a clear-cut pond. If you like everything natural, then any arbitrary shape fit.

Decide on a place

How to make all the inhabitants of the pond feel comfortable? If you have a large plot of land, then carefully study the area so as not to make a mistake with the choice. There are several secrets that we will share with you.

The roots of old trees can interfere with the work, and over time, even the walls of the reservoir. Also, falling leaves and fruits will make you clean your pond often.
Choose a place with the expectation that the pond will be in the shade for some time so that algae and microorganisms do not develop too actively in it.
At the same time, the sun is needed for plants along the bank. So you have to search best option considering these nuances.
If your pond is small but deep, then make sure that it is always in sight when children play nearby. And why hide such beauty from the eyes?
Best of all, the reservoir will look in the hollow. They almost always go down to the lake, river, sea.

Mini pond for a summer residence

Consider a possible ecosystem

If you want fish to live in your pond and flowers to bloom, then a few rules from this section will help you.

Plant selection

Decorative flowers in the pond do not suffer from temperature changes and can even tolerate frost (of course, except for the southern varieties of plants that will need to be hidden for the winter). But still, make sure that the water in the pond will be heated by the sun for at least five hours during the day.

The less light, the faster the mini pond in the country will turn into a small swamp. Then it will look completely unattractive, a characteristic smell and flowering will appear.

In nature, an amazing process of self-purification has been launched, and at home, the owner should take care of the cleanliness of the reservoir.

As in a natural pond, plants in a home pond are divided into the following types:

those that grow on the shore;
those that grow in a humid zone on the border with water;
floating on the surface;
shallow and those that grow at depth.

Although the air humidity will be higher on the shore along the pond than in other places, simple garden plants they can live there. But still, consider that they do not look ridiculous or casual next to other inhabitants of the pond. Begonias, aquilegia, balsam and many other perennial plants that are used to decorate landscapes will harmoniously combine.

A zone with constant humidity, but without stagnant water, is the best place for moisture-loving perennials. Among such stars are meadowsweet (meadowsweet), lysichiton, darmer, iris and many others.

Irises also successfully get along in shallow water. They compete with susak, pontederia, tail

A water lily can rightfully be called a deep-sea queen. She copes well with harsh winters. Water lilies are not only beautiful, but also useful. It is they who can create the shadow necessary for the pond. Among other deep-sea beauties, the lotus (however, it needs to be dug up for the winter, because in most of the territory former USSR for almost 8 months the water does not warm up, as it is necessary for the flowering of such varieties), water paint, oronium, water chestnut and many other bizarre inhabitants of the depths.

Rivals of deep-sea plants are algae, which saturate pond water with oxygen and support the vital activity of other organisms. Among them are the swamp, hornwort, etc.

Animal inhabitants

Insects, microorganisms and protozoa will start up in your pond on their own. You will have to take care of the fish yourself.

Fish in the pond in the country

But don't think that you can't get them. In fact, there is nothing supernatural here. Check the depth of your pond - it should be at least 90 cm deep. This is necessary for the fish, because this way they can overwinter. And in summer the water does not warm up too much. Smaller ponds are suitable only for growing ornamental plants.

By the way, in ponds with fish, a third of the surface of the water should be covered with greenery.

The idea to dig a pond on my site came to me a few years ago. But, since this work is time-consuming and not easy in terms of a creative approach, its start was postponed for a long time. Finally, during another vacation, I decided to get down to business and follow step by step all the steps necessary to create a pond. It was decided to make the pond film, with a geotextile lining. Plant it with plants and get fish. Install an aerator for fish. Water circulation is also planned due to a small waterfall with three cascades. It was made initially, even before digging a foundation pit for a pond, from a pile of stones laid on a man-made clay hill. Water will be circulated in a closed circle from the pond to the waterfall using an inexpensive bottom pump.

That's all the original data. Now I will proceed directly to the story of the construction of the pond, trying not to miss the details.

First of all, I took a shovel and dug a pit with dimensions in terms of 3x4 m. I tried to make a natural, rounded shape, without sharp corners. Indeed, in nature, coastlines are always smooth, without straight lines, such must be followed when creating an artificial pond. At its deepest point, the pit reached 1.6 m below ground level. It could be done less, but in my case it is supposed to breed wintering fish, which requires a minimum of 1.5-1.6 m.

On the rise of the pit, 3 terraces were made. The first (shallow) - at a depth of 0.3 m, the second - 0.7 m, the third - 1 m. All are 40 cm wide so that it is possible to install pots with plants on them. Terracing is performed for a more natural look of the water surface. And also for the placement of aquatic plants, the number of terraces and their depth will depend on the type of which. You need to think about this in advance. For planting cattail, for example, you need a depth of 0.1-0.4 m, for nymphs - 0.8-1.5 m.

The pit for the pond should be multi-level, with several terraces

Stage # 2 - laying geotextiles

The pit was dug, stones and roots were taken from the bottom and walls. Of course, you can immediately start laying the film, but this option seemed too risky to me. Firstly, seasonal ground movements can cause the pebbles that were in the thickness of the soil to change their position and break through the film with sharp edges. The same will happen if the roots of trees or shrubs growing nearby reach the film. And the last factor - there are mice on our site that dig underground passages and, if desired, can easily get to the film. Need protection. Namely, geotextiles. It just will not allow rodents, roots and other unpleasant factors to damage the film.

I bought geotextile 150 g / m 2, carefully laid it out and brought the edges a little to the shore (about 10-15 cm - as it turned out). Temporarily fixed with stones.

The geotextile is laid with the edges on the shore

Stage #3 - waterproofing

Perhaps the most important stage is the creation of waterproofing. They can be neglected if the hydrogeological conditions of your site allow you to create natural reservoirs. But such cases are very rare and it is better not to take risks, so that later you do not have to redo everything.

So, waterproofing is needed. In my case, this is a dense butyl rubber film specially designed for ponds and reservoirs.

I would like to dissuade you from using polyethylene films, sold in ordinary hardware stores and used for upholstery of greenhouses. Especially if your pond is big enough. Such isolation will lie for 1-2 years, then, most likely, it will leak and you will have to redo everything. Extra headache and expenses are secured. Need special film, for ponds - PVC or butyl rubber. The last option is the highest quality, the strength of the butyl rubber film is enough for 40-50 years for sure, and maybe even more. The advantage of rubber waterproofing is that it stretches perfectly. The pressure of the water in the pond will sooner or later lead to subsidence of the soil. The film in this case is stretched. PVC may crack or come apart at the seams. Butyl rubber will simply stretch like rubber, it can withstand significant stretching without consequences.

I calculated the dimensions of the film needed for my pond as follows: the length is equal to the length of the pond (4 m) + double the maximum depth (2.8 m) + 0.5 m. The width is determined in the same way.

I spread the film over the geotextile, bringing the edges 30 cm to the shore. I tried to smooth out the folds on the bottom and walls, but I didn’t really succeed in this. Decided to leave it as it is. Moreover, the folds will compensate for temperature changes and it is not necessary to pull it too tightly.

A pit lined with butyl rubber will hold water in the pond

After laying out, it is necessary to fix the edges of the film. It is impossible to leave them open on the ground, since water will get between the film and the walls of the pit. Inevitably, the appearance of water bubbles, due to which the film will have to be removed. And this is very difficult, especially with large pond sizes.

I decided to dig in the edges of the film and thus firmly fix them. At a distance of 10 cm from the edges of the pond, I dug a groove, 15 cm deep. I laid the edges of the film inside and covered them with earth. From above he overlaid the whole thing with sod. It turned out to be a real coastline overgrown with grass!

Stage # 4 - running water

Now you can run water. I threw a hose into the pit and pumped water from the well with a pump. Water was collected for several hours. As the folds of the film were filled, they were knocked down, they had to be straightened. But in the end, the stretch turned out to be quite uniform.

A pond filled with water must settle for some time to establish a biobalance

And one more important detail which is worth mentioning. Together with clean water from the well, I poured a bucket of water from a natural reservoir into the pond. This is necessary to accelerate the formation of biobalance. In other words, water from a reservoir with an already existing biosphere will help to quickly establish the same in a new pond. There will be no balance, the water will become cloudy and green in a matter of days. And soon it will not resemble a pond, but a swamp with a greenish slurry. Plants planted in the water at the bottom will also contribute to the activation of the biosystem.

I immersed the pump to a depth of 0.5 m, it supplies water to the upper cascade of the waterfall and to a small garden fountain. Separation of water is regulated directly on the pump.

The circulation of water in the pond occurs due to the fountain and waterfall

Stage #5 - planting plants and launching fish

Plants are a separate issue. I wanted to plant a lot of things so that the pond immediately, from the first days, created the appearance of a natural, natural reservoir. So I went to the market and picked up marsh irises, callas, water hyacinths, a few nymphs. For landscaping the coast, I took a couple of bushes of lobelia, loosestrife, and white calla lilies.

Upon arrival, this seemed not enough to me, so I made a trip to the nearest pond (from which I drew water for biobalance) and dug out several young cattail bushes. It will grow and purify the water. It is a pity that there is nothing more suitable in this pond. And then you wouldn't have to buy anything. Perhaps you will be more lucky and in the nearby pond you will find all the plants for planting your own pond. After all, almost all aquatic plants grow in our natural reservoirs. With some luck, you can find and pick sedge, cattail, yellow irises, calamus, derbeinik, yellow egg capsules and much more.

On the upper terrace I put balcony boxes and baskets with planted cattails, callas, water hyacinths, marsh irises. Planted in heavy fertile soil, covered with pebbles from above so that the fish would not drag the soil and pull out the roots.

I planted nymphs in baskets - I have 4 of them. He also covered the top with pebbles. I placed the baskets on the middle terrace, the one that is 0.7 m deep. Then, as the stem grows, I will lower the basket lower until I set it permanently 1-1.5 m above the water level.

In shallow water, aquatic plants are planted in baskets and boxes

Nymphaeum flowers last only a few days, then close and fall under water.

Lobelia and loosestrife were seated along the coastline. I also dug calla bulbs there. The loosestrife very quickly began to lower its branches directly into the pond. Soon the film on the rise will not be visible! Everything will be overgrown with grass, loosestrife, calla and other planted plants.

At first, the water in the pond was clear as a tear. Thought it would be like that. But, after 3 days, I noticed that the water had become cloudy, the bottom was no longer visible. And then, a week later, she became clean again - a biological balance was established. I waited another two weeks and decided that it was time to release the fish - all the conditions for her living were created.

I went to the bird market and bought some suitable specimens of comets (almost gold fish) and carp - gold and silver. Only 40 fish! Released everyone. Now they frolic near the fountain.

The pond with running fish looks magical!

For a comfortable stay of the fish, an aerator was connected. The compressor is 6 W, so it works constantly, it is not expensive in terms of electricity consumption. In winter, an aerator is especially useful. Saturation of water with oxygen and polynyas will be provided.

This master class can be completed. I think it turned out very well. Most main indicator this - pure water. As such, I don't have mechanical filtration. The balance is regulated by many plants, an aerator, water circulation through a waterfall and a fountain using a pump.

In terms of finances, most of the funds went to butyl rubber film. I dug the foundation pit myself, if you have to pay an excavator or a team of diggers, then the hole will be dug out quickly. Plants are not too expensive (and if they are taken from a natural pond, then they are generally free), fish are too.

So everything is real. If you are not afraid of significant labor costs (especially for digging a pit) and the need for a creative approach - go ahead. As a last resort, if you are unlucky with a designer vein, look through photographs of ponds in magazines or on the pages of specialized sites. Find something you like and try to make something similar for yourself. And then - enjoy the result and your own pond on the site.

Ivan Petrovich