See how beautiful it is to make a pond at home. Do-it-yourself pond in the country (59 photos): choosing the style of the reservoir

Water has always attracted people. That is why many people are thinking about how to make a mini-pond in the country with their own hands, because then landscape design will have its own zest. Being near water is natural for a person. You can relax on the shore, run fish into the water, or a waterfall.

What are the ponds

The tradition of decorating areas near the house with ponds came to us from the East. But let's not consider simple stone bowls in the yard. After all, we are interested in the integration of the pond into the design of the site. So East. There are 2 design options: Chinese and Japanese. In China, a mini-pond was a pond richly decorated with lush plants. It looked like a piece of wilderness. In Japan, ponds were decorated differently - in the style of minimalism. Having adopted this tradition, European designers began to make ponds in their own way. Often they were of the correct geometric shape. Which style to choose is a matter of taste for each owner.

There are no fundamental differences in the construction of reservoirs, so this material will be useful, no matter what style you choose for your structure. It can be a traditional Chinese or Japanese mini-pond or a high-tech creation. Creating a pond is fun and you can get all your family members involved in it. This is especially true for the design. Well, if you start the fish, then the children will be happy to feed them. The only thing not recommended to do in the pond is to swim. This is what the pool is for.

Pond construction

Just like in any other construction, you need to choose the right place. Do not build a reservoir where the water will be under the sun all day. Plants will wither from excess sunlight, and algae in the water will multiply intensively, and the pond will overgrow. At the same time, if you make a pond on the shady side of the site, this will adversely affect plant growth. The best option is when the sun's rays illuminate the pond for at least 5 hours a day. A mini-pond should not be located near trees. When making a pond in the garden with your own hands, keep in mind that in the fall all the fallen leaves will be in the water and rot. In addition, overgrown tree roots can damage the bowl, even if you make it out of concrete. Such a garden pond should be located at some distance from the trees. As a last resort, choose a place where old trees grow, cut them down, remove the stumps and use this place for a pond in the garden.

You should be able to admire your creation. What good will be in the reservoir if it is located in the depth of the site and it will not be visible? It is good to have a pond nearby garden gazebo or terraces of the house. Or set up a comfortable bench on the shore so that you can sit and enjoy the beauty.

You need to choose the size of the reservoir. There are also recommendations here, according to which the pond occupies 3% of the site. This is the best option. However, not all people who want to decorate their site in this way follow it. Often they make mini-ponds from old bathtubs or even basins. They also construct a pond from a tire. Well, lovers of large reservoirs spend a lot of effort to dig the appropriate pit. Or they make two ponds and a small river channel connecting two reservoirs. This is a personal matter for everyone. In any case, whatever body of water you are planning to make, view different variants of how you can make a pond in the country with your own hands, photos will help you with this.

After choosing a place, start digging a pit. Marking can be done with a regular rope. If the volume of work is large, it will be more rational to use the labor of hired workers or an excavator. Well, you can dig a small pond yourself. But before you take out the ground, you need to decide how you will make a reservoir. There are different options. You can install the formwork and fill the walls and the bottom of the pit with concrete with the addition liquid glass for waterproofing. Or buy an annual and dig a hole for it. And you can use the most a budget option- PVC film that will cover the bottom and walls of the pit.

The pit is dug in ledges (usually 2-3). Plants are then planted on them. It is not recommended to make the deepest part of the pit deeper than 1.5-1.8 m. The pond should not be made too shallow, as in this case the water will be very warm by the sun. Some owners drain it for the winter, while others do not. Usually water is left if fish are released into the pond. If the depth of the pit is normal, then they hibernate in the deepest place. Well, if the bowl is too shallow, then the water freezes in winter and the fish die.

So, the foundation pit big pond dug up. What's next? It is necessary to seal the walls and bottom. Consider the option with PVC film as the most budgetary.

It is recommended to work with film in warm time years when it is most elastic. A thick layer of sand is poured on the bottom of the pit and on the terraces and compacted. A film is placed on it. Sand is needed in order not to accidentally damage the material with sharp stones or plant roots in the ground. The film will serve as an excellent waterproofing that does not allow water to go into the soil. On the surface of the earth, around the pit, the film is folded and pressed down with large stones. By decorating this garden pond, you will arrange the stones more beautifully, but for now, you need to finish with the bowl. When the film is laid, it is recommended to pour a layer of sand on it. If the plants on the terraces will be planted in the ground, then you need to fill in the ground, but it is much easier to plant plants in pots.

Another point that must be taken into account when building a mini-pond is that the water must be flowing. So you have to spend much less effort on cleaning the bowl and replacing the water. Making water circulate is easy enough. Must be installed in a pond submersible pump. The water supplied through the hose will pass through the filter and drain back into the bowl. When making a pond in the country, you can choose any design for the drain. It can be a stream flowing down from a nearby alpine hill (this is where you can put the earth from a pit), or you can make a fountain, which is also easy to build. It is only necessary to beautifully arrange the pipe connected to the pump and towering above the surface of the water. Having built such a pond in the country with your own hands, take enough time to design it. Can be used natural stones, paving slabs, terrace board and other materials. Your imagination is not limited by anything. You can also provide a multi-colored backlight, which will light up in the evening. Various design options for ponds in the country will help you choose.

When making a pond with your own hands, you must strictly observe safety measures if lighting is planned, since water and electricity are a dangerous combination. Use only factory sealed fixtures that are specifically designed for installation underwater. If you do everything right, then such a pond for giving with a fountain and lighting will become a real gem of your summer cottage.

DIY mini pond (video)

mini ponds

As already mentioned, in addition to a large bowl, you can also make a pond from a tire. It will be very small, but beautiful in its own way. It is much easier to make it than a large body of water. You need to pick up an old large tire from KamAZ or a tractor and dig it into the ground. The tire pond from the inside is also laid out with a PVC film. There is 1 small terrace for planting plants. Small tires are not recommended. After all, the reservoir will be tiny. But tires from cars can be used when you want to make a cascade of small ponds, the water in which will flow from one to another. Such a structure also looks great, especially if it is well decorated. For this purpose, you can use basins or old bathtubs. Tires can also be used to build flower beds around a large pond. In this case, they can be painted with bright colors.

Conclusion

As you can see, making a pond with your own hands is quite simple. You only need to complete the following requirements:

choose the right place;
make good waterproofing;
provide for water circulation;
beautifully arrange the space around the pond.

And then, having created a pond with your own hands, you can rightfully be proud of it. Creating a beautiful artificial reservoir is creativity, where you can fully use all your imagination. Please note that it should be in good harmony with the rest of the elements. landscape design. Although here the options for building on suburban area, a pond can also be built in the courtyard of a private house in the city. Beautifully designed small ponds can decorate any courtyard.

Mini pond on the balcony (video)

One of the brightest tools in landscape design is decorative pond. Of course, most of the suburban areas are limited to the traditional six acres, and the owners simply cannot build a large pond, but because of this, you should not give up the dream of acquiring an artificial pond. As for the technical part, it will not become an obstacle, but subject to good instructions and desire. So, today we will find out how to make a pond in the country with our own hands step by step.

First, you should find out what purpose the construction of the pond on the site will pursue. From this point of view, water bodies can be divided into four large groups.

Table number 1. Classification artificial reservoirs by functionality

Group name	Short description
	They are an element of landscape composition and are intended, first of all, to decorate a particular area of the garden. Near such reservoirs, active recreation is not provided.
	They are deeper and often decorated with fountains, bridges, sometimes equipped with lighting. Similar ponds are built near the house or gazebos, benches with awnings are placed nearby. Therefore, it is quite obvious that such reservoirs are the heart of the recreation area for residents of the house.
	This option is suitable not only for avid fishermen, but also for families with children - the latter will enjoy watching bright fish while relaxing in nature.
	They also belong to artificial summer cottages and not only perform an aesthetic function, but also provide an opportunity to freshen up or even swim (it all depends on the size).

Then, based on the goal and our capabilities, we proceed to the choice of style, location, size and shape.

Second phase. Deciding on style

An artificial pond can be made in one of two possible options, each of which also has a great many modifications.

Table number 2. Styles of artificial reservoirs

Name	Short description
	This name accurately reflects the essence - these are structures that differ in clearly defined outlines. The shape of the pond, correct in terms of geometry, is suitable for those areas that are decorated in the style of minimalism, high-tech, modern or classic. But, characteristically, the shape can be not only rectangular, but also square, round, oval, broken.
	They are more popular, because they are characterized by naturalness and irregular outlines of the coast, which means that they bring a person closer to nature. The shape of the reservoir here depends only on personal preferences, but the more complex it is, the more difficult it will be to lay the film (more on this later).

The relief of the site also plays a big role in choosing the style. So, if the surface is sufficiently even, then the shape of the pond can be any. If there are irregularities and drops on the site, then they need to be given Special attention, but they make it possible to additionally equip a cascade or waterfall. In addition, against the background of all this, say, an artificial slide will look great.

Also, the reservoir can be slightly raised above the ground. In this case, the construction technology will differ only in the arrangement of the foundation, which will prevent possible distortions of the bowl.

When creating such a reservoir, earthwork is minimized, and it will be much easier to take care of it.

Note! If the reservoir will be built with a fountain, then preference should be given to a high design.

Third stage. Choose a place

Let's start with the fact that we place the reservoir in the most suitable place, so that it is possible to admire our creation from anywhere in the site. That is why when choosing we take into account several important factors.

Land area. Not only the size of the pond, but also its shape directly depend on it.
illumination. It is preferable to place an artificial reservoir in a shady place where exposure to direct sunlight does not exceed five to six hours a day, otherwise some of the water may simply evaporate. Moreover, in sunlight, biological activity can develop, which is unlikely to beautify the pond. Therefore, having chosen a specific place on the site, we observe the solar regime for several days.
Relief. The shape of the pond depends on it, and it also simplifies the installation of additional elements (for example, fountains).
Groundwater level, soil composition. These indicators affect not only the depth of the reservoir, but also the complexity of the work and the need for additional consumables.

Note! The greater the depth of the pond, the more illuminated the place it should be placed. If the reservoir is intended for fish, then we take the location even more responsibly, since the oxygen content in strongly heated water decreases.

Expandability. Do not forget about the perspective, so on the one hand we leave free space.
Visibility. It is desirable to arrange the reservoir so that it can be seen from the house and places of rest.
Power supply. If a fountain or lighting is additionally equipped, then we think over electrification in advance. It is better to lay wires even during development, and underground and in a reliable protective corrugation. There should be small access hatches at the junctions.
Reflection. The pond will look more attractive if the surface reflects the sky or beautiful buildings, and not some kind of outbuilding.
Landscaping. The vegetation near the pond is, of course, beautiful, but the leaves will pollute it and form silt. Moreover, the root systems of trees can lead to damage to the waterproofing layer.
Compatible with general design and other objects.

We begin work in the spring - so we will have enough time for the reservoir to "take root" on the site.

Fourth stage. Deciding on sizes

It is difficult to say that a large pond will cost more than a small one, since there are a lot of nuances here. So let's look at the key points.

1. Dimensions. They depend on the location of the reservoir. Many say that the pond should be an average of 3-10% of the total area of the site, although there can be no clear recommendations in this case. As for the length and width specifically, they depend not only on the area land plot but also on our capabilities. After all, we will dig a hole under the reservoir by hand.

2. Depth. It depends on the purpose of creating a reservoir, as well as its size.

3. The difficulty of the content. The larger the pond, the easier (no matter how paradoxical it may sound) to take care of it.

4. Zoning. The reservoir is divided into the following zones:

coastal (from 10 cm to 40 cm), which will serve as an entrance and for planting a plant;
shallow (from 40 cm to 100 cm), where crops that grow deeper will be planted (for example, winter-hardy water lily);
deep-water (more than 100 cm) - it is required only in those reservoirs where fish breeding is planned; the area of this zone depends primarily on the number of fish, but on average it should be more than 20% of the total area of the reservoir.

5. Biological balance. In any case, living creatures will settle in the pond, which means that it is necessary to provide such conditions so that it can clean itself. No oxygenation or chlorination of water is provided here. It is worth remembering: no more than ½ of the entire area can be allocated for plants.

Note! The lowest point should be lowered below the freezing line of the soil, especially if you plan to breed fish - so they can survive the winter in non-freezing water.

Fifth stage. Choosing materials

The next question to be dealt with is the choice Supplies. There are many options on the market today that can be used to create an artificial reservoir. Let's consider them.

concrete pond

The most expensive option, which, nevertheless, allows you to operate the reservoir sufficiently for a long time. Although concrete pouring more suitable for the arrangement of the pool.

Finished plastic container

This option is more suitable. A form made of fiberglass or PVC allows you to build a pond in record time and use it for up to 30 years (the specific period depends on the quality of the container).

The procedure itself will consist of only four steps:

dig a pit;
set the form;
fill the remaining voids with sand;
we plant plants, fill the reservoir with water.

The disadvantage of this method is the difficulty of transportation (if the volume is large) and the need for basic installation knowledge (otherwise the bowl may be damaged). Moreover, plastic containers degrade over time under the influence of UV radiation.

Note! It is preferable to use a fiberglass bowl, which is reinforced with rubber - this design is more reliable and suitable for repair.

Polymer film

In terms of the shape of the pond, this option provides simply unlimited possibilities. The most affordable material is plastic film, although it will not last long.

PVC film has a longer service life, with proper installation it can last up to ten years.

Perhaps the most reliable option. For ponds with rocky bottoms and great depths, it is recommended to use a butyl rubber (EPDM) membrane, which has a service life of up to 50 years. In addition, this material is able to withstand repeated frosts.

There are a few folk ways the manufacture of a reservoir in which improvised materials are used. Let's get acquainted with the most popular of these methods.

Pond from an old bath

A great option, because the bath is a container that was originally intended to hold liquid. The bath can be painted in bright colors and placed in a picturesque corner of the site or, alternatively, deepened into the ground.

Tire Pond

An easy way to create a mini-pond on the site. The manufacturing process is shown in the photo below.

Pond from a basin

An even easier way. The basin is able to retain water well, so it can be installed in the same way as a bath. With proper decoration, such a mini-pond will become great decoration yard.

Note! Not only the aesthetic characteristics of the pond, but also its service life depend on the choice of material. It is desirable that the selected material is environmentally friendly.

Sixth stage. We prepare the equipment

To create a simple artificial reservoir, we need a level, a cart with a shovel, a cord, a hose that is used for watering, and pegs.

If the pond is more technologically advanced, then you will need the following equipment:

cleaning filter;
sterilizer (it will remove algae so that the water is clear);
pump for pumping / pumping water;
aerator for oxygen saturation (especially important when breeding fish).

Seventh stage. We create an artificial pond

There are plenty of materials that can be used to create a reservoir, but we will focus on PVC film. The fact is that it is cheaper, it takes better desired shape, it can be repaired, and specific knowledge or skills are not required for operation.

Step 1. First, choose the color of the film. There are several possible options here.

Black film - it will turn the bottom into a mirror (plants, clouds, etc. will be reflected).
Cream, blue- so the reservoir will look more like a pool, and the fish on a light background will be more clearly visible.
brown- will imitate the soil of natural reservoirs. Great option for a landscape pond.

Also, when choosing a film, we pay attention to the composition (PVC is more durable than PE) and thickness (for a pond, material thicker than 0.5 mm is required). Moreover, the greater the depth of the reservoir, the greater should be the thickness of the film. No less important is resistance to UV radiation and mechanical damage.

Note! If the depth of the pond exceeds 1.5 m, then we use butyl rubber. Such a film is resistant to stretching, deformation and UV, moreover, it can withstand temperatures of 40-80°C.

pond width + (depth x 2) + margin (55-60 cm) = material width;
pond length + (depth x 2) + stock (55-60 cm) = material length.

For gluing, we will use a special glue (for example, "Tagnit") or adhesive tape (Quick Seam 3).

Step 3 The next step is to create a schema.

First, draw it on paper, and then transfer it to the ground. We indicate the dimensions of the steps or "shelves" for plants - this will avoid possible problems. For marking, use sand or a flexible garden hose (preferably a bright color).

After that, we cover the marked area with a piece of light film and examine it from different angles. We make adjustments if necessary.

Step 4. Roem a pit. To do this, perform the following steps.

First we remove the sod.
Then we dig the pit itself. At the same time, we move from the edges to the center, delving into the required places - it’s more convenient. For laying stone and decorating, we equip a ledge with a depth of 60-70 cm.
We remove the soil, and with it the roots, stones, debris and everything that can damage the film. By the way, you can make an alpine hill out of the excavated earth.

When carrying out earthworks, we pay attention to ensuring that the banks of the future pond are located on the same line. If a waterfall is created, then we maintain the required height difference.

Note! If a large level is required, we can make it ourselves. To do this, lay the usual level on a long, flat board.

Step 5 We lay the underlay. We carefully tamp the bottom of the finished pit, after which we proceed to the waterproofing layer, which will prevent the penetration of water into the soil.

The substrate can be made in several ways:

we cover the bottom with stones and fill it with sand (this kind of waterproofing will lose its properties in a few years);
we lay a layer of geotextile, which we fill up with sand (it will cost a large amount);
lay PVC film (most reliable way, so we will focus on it).

Step 6 Next, we lay the film, preferably on a sandy "cushion" (the latter will prevent damage by stones and other dangerous objects). It is advisable to lay on a hot day - heating up, the film becomes more pliable.

This may cause problems with the formation of folds. We try to make one large fold, and not a large number of small ones, and then glue it or press it down with stones. The film must be loose, loose.

For its fastening, a swarm along the perimeter of an additional trench. We lay the film there, after which we fall asleep crushed stone. Next, we fill the trench with large stones with a flat bottom(so that the film does not tear). We lay the walls with round stones (flat ones will slide). At the end, we fill the pond with water - we serve it without pressure, directing it to the center of the pit. After two days, cut off the excess film.

Step 7. We strengthen the coast. Their slope depends on the type of soil: if it is sandy, then the walls should be sloped, if we are talking about clay or black soil, then vertical. The optimum slope angle should be approximately 45°.

The fortification itself depends on the type of coast.

If they are gentle, then you can use:

geomat;
geogrid;
polymer geogrid.

You can also use a regular chain-link mesh, filling its cells with soil with seeds of perennial grass (for example, clover). There is another option - to strengthen the coast with shrubs or plants.

If the coast is steep, then we can use:

piles;
gabions;
retaining walls.

It can also be effectively strengthened with the help of biological methods (planting). Ideally, biological methods gains should be combined with engineering.

Eighth stage. Making an artificial pond

There are several ways decorative finishes reservoir. To make it a full-fledged design element, use one or more of the following methods.

As a conclusion. Features of care

Finally, a few words about further care behind an artificial reservoir.

Video - Creating a pond from a film

How nice it is to enjoy beautiful images of nature, to breathe clean air. And for this there is a wonderful place - a cottage. 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 the overall design of the 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 of various 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, an 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, and certain species of the carp family are well suited to a home lake. 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. Firms dealing with earthworks, more often they 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.

Whether you like to swim or just relax near the water, relaxing on the shore of a reservoir is one of the great pleasures of summer. But not every summer resident has the opportunity to build a cottage near the water. Therefore, sooner or later, each of us thinks about how difficult it is to make a pond on the site with our own hands. Ideally, we see a pond in the country not only as decorative element landscape design, but also as a small reservoir in which you can enjoy swimming on a hot day.

However, faced with colorful descriptions of the technical difficulties, costs and nuances of regular care, many of us give up this idea.

Let's start with the basics - what makes a pond fundamentally different from a pool is the self-regulation system.

Bathing pond with their own hands.

We will tell you the process of creating a pond step by step, and you can make a garden pond with your own hands - by building a cool oasis in the middle of the heat right on your summer cottage, where our everyday worries disappear with every light breath of fresh breeze.

A garden pond is a living organism.

The pond in the country house mimics the process that nature uses to keep the lake clean. Everything - from the size and shape of the pond, plant species and water circulation are designed to maintain the pond in a stable natural state.

The problems that the pond owner faces is maintaining the balance between plants and water - the plants either die or take over the entire surface of the pond. Only a pond that is a balanced ecosystem ensures optimal water clarity and quality, and maximum enjoyment of swimming in the pond.

The water in the pond must circulate among the roots of the plants in order to be purified. Plants enrich the water with oxygen, which supports the vital activity of beneficial bacteria that utilize pollution and potentially harmful organisms, and also create a habitat for dragonflies, frogs and other aquatic life. The result is a stable, ecologically diverse system. Nature has revealed its technology to us and we must carefully use it.

How to make a pond yourself. The principles of the pond.

Water is a living biologically active component and all purification occurs due to the work of plants and beneficial microbes. To do this, the pond provides a bathing area and a filtration area for plants. The filtration zone is actually the swamp part of our water zone, and just like in nature, it is this one that guarantees the purity of the entire reservoir. This zone should occupy at least 50 percent of the total area of the water surface of the pond.
If you have noticed, then in nature there are almost no tiny reservoirs with a consistently clean surface of water - they quickly overgrow or silt. Natural stable biological balance can be achieved in ponds from 100 sq.m. Smaller ponds require more of our attention as they their biological balance is precarious. Therefore, these ponds include a skimmer and UV sterilizer to keep them clean, but still offer a chemical-free bathing area and support aquatic plant growth.

It is useful to add a small waterfall, stream or fountain to the pond for regular enrichment of water with oxygen. Although, for the same purpose, you can use an aerator.

How is pond water purified?

You can see that the process of filtering water in a pond is not complicated:
1. Water from the swimming area flows into the regeneration area.
2. Water circulates back to the bathing area.

Through the drainage pipes under the plant roots in the regeneration area or/and after the skimmer, the water is pumped through the UV sterilizer to the waterfall, stream or to the bottom of the swimming area. The pipe that goes to the bottom of the swimming area is slightly raised above the bottom so that the flow of water prevents the formation of silt at the bottom.

What should be the shape of the pond.

The bowl of the pond looks more like a soup bowl with large rims than a bathtub. The height difference should be about 30 cm for each meter of depth. It is this shape of the pond bowl that ensures the stability of the walls. The picture shows transverse section pond with plants and bathing area:

After compaction of the surface layer of soil in the pit, geotextiles and a hermetic liner are laid on the bottom of the pond. In the plant zone - drainage pipes and gravel. In order to separate the swimming zone from the plant zone, a small hillock is formed - its top is 3 cm lower from the water surface. It can be made from sandbags or gravel. The mound allows water from the swimming area to pass into the plant area, where the water is filtered by the plant roots, and at the same time protects the plants from fluctuations in the water of the swimming area.

This design of the pond will allow you to conveniently clean the swimming area without affecting the plant area. In addition to purifying the water, the shallow water warms up quickly and serves as a habitat for frogs and other invertebrates, you will appreciate their benefits when they start eating mosquito larvae.

In order to mimic the natural contours of a pond, use a combination of different profiles for its shore. If you have plants on pond terraces, it is better to do this in pots so that they can be easily removed when cleaning the pond.

What size pond is suitable for our site?
The optimal size of the pond is 1/10 of the area of your site.

How about mosquitoes?
One of the first questions that arises at the word “pond with your own hands” is mosquitoes? Mosquitoes breed only in stagnant water, while the water in the pond will never be static, so mosquitoes will find it unattractive for their habitat. Even if at some point they appear, the frog pond ecosystem will reduce their population to a minimum.

Why make a pond in the country?
Do-it-yourself pond people make this decision because they want to see their pond as a beautiful part of the landscape design and still have a clean, inviting place to swim on a hot day.
Is it possible to have fish in the swimming pond?
Unfortunately, fish, on the one hand, eats beneficial microflora with pleasure, on the other hand, it is a carrier of pathogenic bacteria, so there should not be fish in the baths.

Is it possible to make a sandy beach on a pond?
The best solution for entering the pond is walkways or stairs. For a beach entrance to the water, you need enough space, because. the angle of entry into the water is small. In addition, the sand quickly silts up - those beaches that we see are often simply trampled down to sand, most of the pond shore is usually densely overgrown with plants.

Should I swim with frogs?
Yes, frogs are full-fledged and important inhabitants of the pond. Additionally, to purify the water in the pond, it is good to have double-winged toothless shells or barley, which filter water up to 40 liters per day. You can also get snails (coils, livebearers) - they eat dead plants and clean the pond well.

What is the best place for a pond?
It is better to place the pond away from the trees, because. falling, the leaves will rot in the pond. Moreover, growing roots can damage the waterproofing film or tilt the finished container. The illumination of the site should be about 5 hours in the morning, and the rest of the time it should be in partial shade. The pond does not need large illumination. leads to increased formation of algae and overheating of water in the reservoir.

What to do with the pond in winter?
In winter, the pond, like natural reservoirs, freezes. You don't need to drain it. For the winter it is necessary to remove all equipment from the pond (pumps, filters, skimmers).

Does the type of soil affect the creation of a pond?
No, the composition of the soil does not affect. There is a misconception that it is good when the groundwater level is high. In fact, groundwater at the freezing level is more of a problem. Freezing, the ice can bulge the bottom of the pond. It is especially problematic if the pond is made on the basis of a rigid finished form.

Do-it-yourself pond from a film.

The main question when creating a pond: how to make it waterproof. There are several types of pond waterproofing - film, clay castle, concrete and rigid installation.

Installing a rigid mold is a simple and durable method, but they usually come in small sizes up to 3.5 sq. meters. Their service life is 10-50 years.

Waterproofing with concrete is the most expensive, in addition, it needs additional treatment with a frost-resistant agent and liquid glass to protect it from frost.

A clay castle is the cheapest in terms of materials, but the most labor-intensive. In order to waterproof the pit with clay, the compacted soil is covered wood ash or soot. Then a 15 cm layer of clay dough is applied to the walls, compacted. When the layer dries, a second 30 cm is applied. When the layer is almost dry, crushed stone is poured on it, slightly pressing into the layer.

The optimal solution for the construction of ponds with an area of more than 5-6 sq.m. - film waterproofing.

How much film is needed for the pond:
Film length= pond length + 2 pond depth + 50 cm margin for fasteners.
Film width= width of the pond + 2 depth of the pond + 50 cm margin for fasteners.

The film is produced in widths from 2 to 10 m, length 10-50 m. Knowing your needs, you can choose the optimal roll. The film is bought before digging the pit, this will allow you to cover it immediately when the pit is ready, preventing its edges from shedding.
What kind of film to choose for the pond.
PVC film for a pond is cheaper, but eventually destroyed by ultraviolet radiation, its service life is 8-10 years.
Butyl rubber sheeting is more expensive, but has both UV and cold protection. The service life of such a film is 50 years.

Do-it-yourself pond construction photo.

Do-it-yourself pond begins with marking the pit. The curved shape can be marked with a hose. We remove the sod along the coastline and take out the soil on the bayonet - this will be the line of the swamp zone, then the next level of the earth is taken out inside the resulting border, and so on. As a result, our terraces will be 50 cm wide with slopes of 20 cm. When the pond pit is ready, all hard objects that can damage the film: stones, roots, etc. , remove. We level and ram the walls and bottom of the pit.

Before work, the film is laid for several hours in a sunny place so that it warms up and becomes more elastic. Laying the film is done in warm weather. Overlapped geotextile or felt sheets are laid on the compacted pit, they are needed to protect the waterproofing film from protruding roots and stones over time.

A waterproofing film is spread on top of the geotextile with a margin of 50 cm along the edges of the pit. The edges are temporarily fixed with stones. The film is allowed to sag a little, smoothing and leveling it according to the shape of the pit.

The foil inside the swimming area can be protected with dry stacked stones.

Gravel or sand bags can be used instead of stones. But keep in mind that it is more convenient to take care of a pond with film walls. - it is easier to clean it from silt and mud.

In portions, the pit is poured with water, removing air bubbles from under the film.

When the pond is completely filled with water, the ends of the film are securely fixed in a trench, which is made at a distance of 15 cm from the edge of the pit. In a trench 20 cm deep, the edges of the film are wrapped in a roll and covered with stones and pebbles.

We make a pond with our own hands. Shore decoration.

After you have made a pond with your own hands, before you start decorating the shore, you need to pour plenty of water on it and wait 2-3 days, because. shrinkage is possible. In addition, during this time, the water in the pond will settle.
We mask the film on the shore with rubble, stones, snags. We plant plants in shallow water. The pond needs plants that saturate the water with oxygen. There are many suitable plants - reeds, meadowsweet, iris, bathing suit, marigold, arrowhead. Any plant that grows on the shore of a natural pond will work for your pond. Don't forget about algae, like hornwort, which just floats in the water. Deciduous ornamental shrubs it is better to plant for marsh grasses, which are planted directly on the shore.

Additional charm is added to the pond backlight.

Floating flower beds look seductive on the surface of the pond.

Pond safety.

If there are very young children in the family, then perhaps the construction of the pond should be postponed until they are older. It is necessary to consider visiting the pond by the elderly and children school age. Make a convenient ladder for entering the pond, don't forget to clean it so it doesn't get slippery! All other sides of the pond, except for the entrance, are best covered with plants.

Pond care.

The new pond will take on its natural form throughout the year - while it will form its ecosystem. The small world of your pond is very vulnerable. The pond may quickly heat up or freeze, the water may evaporate, or the pond may overflow after rain. This puts a strain on aquatic life that cannot instantly transition to a safer, more stable environment.

Therefore, your pond, like any living organism, requires care. On a hot day, you need to add water, collect garbage that floats on the surface with a net, check whether the plants have grown or perhaps something has not taken root and must be annoyed. However, a surprising number of life forms will colonize your new pond, they will quickly explore new waters and stay if conditions suit them.

The quiet splash of water is the most enchanting melody of a hot summer, water bewitches, attracts and seduces us with a playful play of light, transparent depth and life-giving coolness. A handmade pond will give your cottage a special charm.

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. Moreover, 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 take the path of least resistance and use the most budgetary 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.

Lay a PET or PVC film on the bottom, without pulling it 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 free form will do.

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.