Diy pond in the garden: typical mistakes, photo

Choosing a place for a pond in the country

Before digging an artificial reservoir, you need to find a suitable place. Since the artificial pond should be clearly visible from all points of the site, the following nuances are taken into account when choosing a suitable place:

The configuration and dimensions of the pit depend on the size of the suburban area. A small pond on six acres should not have complex outlines.
Be sure to take into account the height of the standing groundwater, the composition of the soil. The depth of the reservoir depends on this, the need for additional measures to protect against moisture coming from the soil.
When arranging a pond, the relief of the territory is taken into account. With its outlines, the reservoir can repeat the unevenness of the surface, bend around hills and hills, or be located in a lowland.
For the construction of a pond, a shaded place is chosen on the site, in which the duration of exposure to direct sunlight does not exceed 5-6 hours. Otherwise, under the scorching sun, moisture will evaporate, and favorable conditions will be created for the development of pathogenic microorganisms. However, deeper bodies of water require longer lighting.
If in the future there are plans to expand this element of landscape design, then there should be free space on one or more sides.
In order to additionally highlight the pond, as well as for the operation of the pumping equipment, the power supply will have to be connected to the construction site. It is worthwhile to think over electrification and lay wires in a protective corrugation in advance.
Shrubs and trees should not grow nearby, which with roots can damage the waterproofing. In addition, falling leaves will pollute the water.
There should be no outbuildings near the place for the garden decor, which will spoil the impression with an unattractive reflection in the water surface.

The watery decor of the garden should be in harmony with other elements of landscape design and objects on the site. As a rule, construction begins in the spring, so that during the warm season the vegetation and inhabitants of the reservoir will take root.

Stage three. Choosing a place

To begin with, we place the reservoir in the most convenient place so that you can admire your creation from anywhere on 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 depends on it.
Illumination. It is preferable to place an artificial reservoir in a shaded place, in which the exposure to direct rays of the sun does not exceed five to six hours a day, otherwise part of the water may simply evaporate. Moreover, in the sunlight, biological activity can develop, which is unlikely to decorate 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 arrangement 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.

Expandability. We do not forget about the perspective, therefore, on the one hand, we leave free space.
Visibility. It is advisable to arrange the reservoir so that it can be seen from home and recreation areas.
Power supply. If a fountain or lighting is additionally equipped, then we will think over electrification in advance. It is better to lay the wires even during development, moreover, underground and in a reliable protective corrugation. There should be small access hatches at the connections.
Reflection.The pond will look more attractive if the surface reflects the sky or beautiful buildings, and not some kind of utility structure.
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 damage 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.

An example of a well-designed country pond

Choosing a finished plastic bowl

When choosing a finished plastic bowl, you need to pay attention to the size, shape, color and material. For each specific landscape design, it is necessary to take into account all the nuances, because the wrong choice can lead to problems during installation and operation.

Initially, you need to decide on the location of the pond and only then start your search.

To size

Often, the shape of the container has irregular geometric outlines, so the system by which the dimensions are indicated is not the same here as usual. The depth of the bowl ranges from 30 to 300 cm. If the pond is rectangular, then most often the depth is the same, but if it has several levels or irregular shape, then the depth is calculated from the lowest part of the tank.

Important! Usually bowls have several levels with steps, cascades and recesses. They are ideal for decoration with aquatic plants.

The same principle is used to measure the width and length.

Shape and color

This landscape object is used exclusively as a decoration. Of course, if you want to, you can swim in it, and some owners even breed fish to simulate a more natural pond. The shape of the reservoir is often incorrect, because the pond in the natural environment does not have clear geometric outlines.

Important ! The color of the container depends on the manufacturer. However, most often they are black or other dark shades.

It is worth considering that with the help of color, an imitation of the natural environment occurs.

Nevertheless, garden designs use round, oval, square or rectangular shapes. With their help, they emphasize the design in a style such as, for example, high-tech.

But if we are talking about a summer cottage close to nature, then here it is better to pay attention to bowls of irregular shapes, such as eights with various contours

How to choose a design style

This will seem like a daunting task. To get the desired result, you should read the literature and our advice. The number of modifications is huge, among them you will find the right one. For fans of classics and laconicism, a formal style is perfect. Such a pond has a precise shape, simple design, a minimum amount of decorative elements and plants. Equip it on a site in the style of modern, hi-tech, minimalism.

Romantic personalities should pay attention to landscape solutions for arranging a reservoir on a site. It's natural, irregular shapes

You are not limited by certain rules and you can implement your ideas. Consider the terrain and budget so that unpleasant situations do not arise during the work. On flat terrain, it is possible to create all types of ponds, and for sharp drops, slides and bridges are suitable. Here you should be careful at every stage of the work, to the choice of materials, laying the film and digging a pit.

It is interesting: Do-it-yourself pergola - a support for plants and a resting place

Plants decoration

The ideal design is to create a natural picture. Naturalness is the most aesthetic and attractive. They use different plants that live in the depths and grow in the swamp.

They create an expressive landscape, taking into account the number of crops required for a given size. 2-3 types of plants get along well with each other, it is no longer worth taking.

For mobile reservoirs, calamus irises, dwarf reeds and cattails, marigold, and swamp forget-me-not are suitable. At a shallow depth of the reservoir of 10 cm, marsh mint is placed in baskets, swordweed rush, water hyacinth, Mexican azolla.

The right choice of a place for a pond in a summer cottage

The place for the water area is chosen according to several parameters: relief, illumination during the day, the presence of tall trees nearby. Ideally, when the reservoir occupies no more than 3-5% of the entire site: it is much more difficult to care for a large pond.

Relief plays an important role if you want to save on waterproofing. In this case, the site must have a low or depression between elevations on the ground. In the lowland, water usually accumulates, which does not go into the soil for a long time. But if there are no problems with waterproofing, then the relief of the site does not play any role.

Lighting affects the purity of the water: under direct sunlight, microorganisms actively multiply. Ideally, the backwater is in the shade for several hours a day.

Nearby trees can damage the bottom and waterproofing by overgrowing roots. Leaves that have fallen into the water serve as food for aquatic microorganisms, which can so easily turn clean water into a swamp. Therefore, if there are trees nearby, then there will always be foliage in the water, which must be removed daily.

The placement of a summer cottage pond should be in harmony with the entire appearance of the site

Choosing a place to get started

This is a crucial stage. Make sure there is a sufficient depth of groundwater in the area to prevent further unpleasant consequences. The value is needed to determine the depth of the pond. Move on to choosing a location by finding an area that gets 5-7 hours of sun a day. In this way, the planted plants will be able to develop and grow normally. Shady areas and areas under tall trees are the worst starting point for an artificial pond.

When choosing a place to dig a pit, pay attention to the factors:

the area of the personal plot;
terrain relief;
soil and depth of groundwater placement;
the amount of time it is exposed to direct sunlight.

Pond site - a place where the sun shines for 5-7 hours a day, with good visibility from all parts of the site, a sufficient degree of surrounding landscaping. You can decorate the finished structure with plants in barrels. Provide power supply to the reservoir to provide lighting in the dark and connect filters, a pump, and music.

Planning is an important stage in the work that should be paid attention to and thought out the sequence. Decide on the implemented design solutions, buy decorative elements, plants, choose a design style

Plants are planted according to different patterns, having studied which you will create a unique composition.

The sizes of reservoirs are different. For a small area, set the container to 10 liters. It will not dry out, take up little space and make the yard aesthetically pleasing. But it is impossible to grow plants and fish in it. An old bathtub, a plastic container, a basin are suitable for him. After choosing a place, you should dig a hole 30 cm deep more than the height of the container used. Level and compact the bottom of the pit, lower the bath into it, covering the free space with earth.

A medium-sized pond is an original solution for owners of a spacious yard. Having created such beauty on your own, you will make the yard a real work of art, embodying design ideas into reality. The device is complex, but it can be made in the following ways:

the basin of the reservoir is made of concrete mortar. This is a lengthy and costly method;
installation of a purchased plastic container. She will determine the size of the pond, its shape, depth. Choose between a single-tier and a multi-tier system;
film with waterproof properties. Simple and fast.You will create a unique design yourself without significant time investment.

For a PVC pond, prepare a film, a shovel, ropes, bricks and gravel, sand, stone slabs. You will need 5-7 days to work. First, mark the pond using a rope and stakes. After marking the dimensions, start digging a hole according to the pattern made. Rent an excavator for a large pit. After inspecting the bottom of the pit, remove sharp stones, branches, roots. Cover the surface with sand, 10-15 cm thick, cover it with prepared material, level and secure the edges of the film with stones.

The next stage is filling the prepared pit with water. Only then should the unnecessary edges of the film be cut off 24 hours after the end of the work. Decorate the banks using pebbles, pots, plants, landscape figures. Install the pump by connecting the filter. Bring out all the pipes discreetly and mask them with plants, flowers, stones. The final stage is planting plants from the pond.

How to make and decorate a pond with an island in the garden with your own hands

To create an island, you first need to remove the soil, as when creating an ordinary reservoir, but at the intended location of the island, you need to remove it less or not even remove it at all. The edges of the island can be reinforced with stones, if necessary, concrete mortar can be used to secure them.

Not a bridge can lead to the island, but a step-by-step path made of stones. In the place where it is supposed to be laid, the depth should not exceed 30 cm. The path should not be straight, but winding, but not excessively, it will be smooth and comfortable, so stones for it are selected large and flat 10-15 cm thick.The surface of the stones should be at least 10 cm above the water level, they are placed on supports ( foundation) made of concrete blocks or bricks. For each stone its own individual stand is "built", to which it is attached with the help of concrete, the stand should not be noticeable, everything should look natural.

A good example of creating a large reservoir with a charming island in Moscow region. An artificial butyl rubber pond occupies a large part of the garden, with a water surface of about 250 sq. m. It is made on a plot of about 15 acres, located in the middle of a dense birch forest, with a spacious one-story wooden house for permanent residence. You can get to the island by going through a pretty bridge. When arranging the garden, extra trees were removed, a lot of birch and alder were left behind.

As seen in the photo, the shores of the pond in the garden, made by hand, is covered with flat pebbles of white and various shades of gray. The blind area of the house is made of the same pebbles. It perfectly matches the paving of gray and gray-pink paving stones and the cladding of the basement of the house made of limestone.

On the diagonal of the plot in relation to the house, there is a bathhouse built of the same materials and in the same style as the house. A walkway was built near the bath so that you can plunge into the water after the steam room, in this place the pond is deep enough (1.6 m). Thanks to the pump, the water never freezes here, although they skate on the opposite side of the reservoir in winter.

You can move freely around the pond, you can admire it, not only walking along the path, but also contemplating the landscape from the closed veranda of the house and the large windows of the relaxation room in the bathhouse.

Pay attention to the photo on how to decorate a pond in the garden: a calm, pacifying atmosphere can be emphasized by a few plants with foliage of an interesting shape and texture, except for birches. It can also be deciduous shrubs (spireas, barberries), conifers, decorative deciduous perennials (hosts, ferns)

White birch trunks brighten the area, make it elegant.Water, paving and stones occupy a large area, shrubs and decorative deciduous perennials predominate among the plants, so caring for such a garden is not difficult and does not require much time. Two pumps are installed under the walkway, forcing the water to move quietly, and next to it are skimmers that collect falling leaves. Approximately every two years, the water goes down, the bottom and stones are cleared of silt and settled debris.

Such a project is good for those who like to sit quietly, enjoying the impressions of the garden or some of its details.

How to make a pond in the country with your own hands: step by step instructions

To make an artificial pond in the country with your own hands, step-by-step instructions will come in handy. The steps are different depending on the materials used. The hardest thing to do is to make the concrete variety, so let's start with that.

Concrete pond

The work is carried out in the following order:

First, lay out the terrain. Pegs are driven in and the cords are pulled. The fertile soil layer is removed to a depth of 15-20 cm.
A pit of a given depth, length and width is dug.
The formwork is installed and the reinforcing cage is laid.
A concrete solution is prepared and poured into the formwork structures.
After a couple of weeks, the formwork is removed.
Carry out waterproofing, install the necessary equipment.
Decorate the pond.

Tire pond

A mini-pond in the country is easy to make from car tires. To begin with, one side of the tire is cut off to form a shape like a bowl without a bottom. The edge is processed with sandpaper. Next, they dig a hole of a suitable size.

A prepared tire is installed in the pit. The gaps between the tire and the ground are filled in and tamped in a circle. Sand is poured at the bottom, tamped and leveled. The resulting structure is covered with a dense polyethylene film, laid in two layers. The edges of the material are brought to the surface of the earth by 15-20 cm.

A layer of soil is poured around the reservoir to hide the film, and the banks are decorated with stones. Now it remains to pour water, plant ornamental plants in a circle.

A pond from a finished plastic container

Having figured out how to make a pond from tires, it is easy to understand the principle of a reservoir from a plastic container. On sale there are ready-made forms made of fiberglass or polyvinyl chloride. With their help, a pond can be made in record time, and it will last up to 30 years.

Sequencing:

First, the terrain is laid out using pegs and a stretched cord. They remove the fertile soil layer.
Then they dig a pit a little larger than the dimensions of the plastic mold.
The prepared container is installed on the bottom of the pit, and the voids between the vertical walls and the edges of the pit are covered with soil and tamped well. During the installation process, be sure to use a building level so that there is no skewing of the container in one direction.
Now it remains to fill the form with water, plant ornamental plants around.

It is best to use a rubber-reinforced fiberglass bowl. This model is more reliable and maintainable. The only drawback of this method is the difficulty in transporting the bowl.

Old bath pond

A small summer cottage will fit a pond from the bathroom. The installation principle is similar to the installation of a polymer container. There is only one difference. The hole in the bottom should not be plugged, because it can be used to drain water. To do this, after digging a pit in the place where the hole will be located, make a depression 50x50x50 cm in size.Crushed stone is poured into it. The bottom of the pit is covered with sand. The bath is installed in the pit so that the drain hole is above the crushed stone cavity. The voids along the vertical walls are also filled with sand and rammed.

Film pond

The configuration of such a pond can be any. The most short-lived is plastic wrap. PVC varieties will last up to 10 years. The most durable and reliable option is butyl rubber film.It will last up to 50 years and will withstand repeated freezing. This material is chosen for deep waters with a rocky bottom. When choosing a film, take into account resistance to ultraviolet light and temperature extremes.

Algorithm of actions:

First, they dig a pit. It is more convenient to move from the edges to the center. In sandy soils, vertical walls are made with a slope of 45 °. In black soil or clay, they can be made strictly vertical.
To correctly determine the size of the film, the length in length (width) is multiplied by 2 and a margin of 55-60 cm is added.
The bottom is rammed, then a waterproofing layer of stones and sand, geotextile or PVC film is laid.
This is followed by a sand pillow, which is needed to protect against damage from sharp stones and other objects.
Then the bottom and walls are covered with a film, the ends of which are brought onto the horizontal surface of the banks by 30-40 cm. The strips of material are glued together with adhesive tape or special glue. If bends are obtained, then they make one large fold, press it down with boulders.
The edges of the film are pressed with stones and sprinkled with soil.
After that, it remains to pour water, plant ornamental plants.

What materials can be used to build a pond

Decorative ponds can be built using ready-made foundations, improvised tools and various devices. The choice depends only on the preferences and capabilities of the owner of the site in the country.

The most used materials for creating ponds are the following options:

ready-made plastic containers;
synthetic film;
concrete;
tires;
bath;
pelvis.

Plastic

For the construction of tanks for ponds, either compressed polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride is usually used. The appearance of these ready-made shapes can be varied in style, size and depth. The volume can be from 150 to 2500 liters.

The main advantages are:
light weight and strength;
easy installation;
service time - up to 15 years;
minimum care requirements.

You should also outline some of the disadvantages of these reservoirs:
when choosing cheap options, there is a high probability of their destruction from frost and sun;
there is no way to expand the volume, a complete dismantling is required;
high price of a quality product;
unnaturalness.

Synthetic film

Homemade film-based decorative ponds are considered the most popular.
The main advantages of such reservoirs are:
creation of various shapes and the desired depth;
possible further correction of the outlines;
admissibility of restoration of various damages;
high frost resistance.

Despite the advantages of such material, experts identify a number of disadvantages of film-based ponds:
insufficient strength of the material;
possible damage to the edges of the film base under the influence of sunlight;
the use of additional disguise;
gluing the ends of the film in different places during the construction of dimensional options.

Concrete

The construction of decorative ponds using these raw materials is necessary when installing bridges or statues, but the material is not very popular.

The main advantages of using concrete for reservoirs are:
strength and reliability;
resistance to damage of both mechanical and climatic nature;
durability;
no need for care.

In addition, a number of disadvantages can be identified in the creation of such ponds:
the complexity of the structure;
high price;
purchase of additional materials;
impossibility of reconstruction.

From the tire

The option under consideration is especially convenient if unnecessary car tires have accumulated on the site. The main advantages of such reservoirs can be considered:
strength and durability (over 10 years);
choice of size;
high frost resistance and resistance to ultraviolet rays;
there is no need to additionally strengthen the walls;
admissibility of coloring and decoration;
ease of installation;
cheapness.

The disadvantages include:
limitations in size and shape;
impossibility of constructing dimensional options;
the originally mounted pond cannot be expanded.

Using a bath

This "base" is often used in summer cottages. Cast iron baths are a particularly good option, as they are highly resistant to temperature extremes.

The main advantages of such a reservoir are:
strength and durability;
noiselessness of a set of water in a cast-iron container;
ease of installation.

The negative aspects include:
complexity of movement (large weight of the product - 50–150 kg);
insufficient resistance of enamel to various kinds of influences;
the unnaturalness of the pond due to the same type of shape.

Mini basin from a basin

This option is a real boon for the owners of small summer cottages, where it is problematic to place larger bases for the pond.

The main advantages of such a reservoir can be considered:
cheapness;
compactness;
transportability;
minimal care;
easy and fast installation.

Despite many positive features, this option also has some disadvantages:
rapid freezing of water in winter and overheating of the liquid in summer;
limitation in shape (round) and size;
the impossibility of further increasing the reservoir.

To create a mini-pond, it is recommended to use enamel, cast iron and metal basins. They must first be covered with a solution of cement and sand (1: 3). Water should be added in such an amount that it is convenient to sculpt. The future reservoir dries up for about a day.

Important! During the drying of the coating, protect the container from the possible ingress of any precipitation.

Fifth stage. Choosing materials

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

Concrete pond

Pictured is a concrete pond

The most expensive option, which, nevertheless, allows the reservoir to be exploited for a long time. Although the concrete fill is more suitable for the arrangement of the pool.

Finished plastic container

Plastic pond container

This option is more suitable. The 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:

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

Pond tank installation diagram

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

Rubber reinforced fiberglass bowl

Polymer film

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

Polyethylene film

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

PVC foil

Butyl rubber film

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

Butyl rubber film

There are several popular ways of making a reservoir, in which scrap materials are used. Let's take a look at the most popular of these methods.

Pond from the old bath

Diagram of a reservoir from an old bath

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

Tire pond

A simple way to create a mini-reservoir on the site. The manufacturing procedure is shown in the photo below.

Arrangement of a reservoir from a tire

Basin pond

An even easier way. The basin is capable of holding water well, so it can be installed in the same way as a bath. With proper decoration, such a mini-pond will be an excellent decoration for the yard.

A pond from an old basin

Pond with a fountain with a plastic base

A very interesting landscape idea - a pond with water lilies and lighting, can be implemented in the country with your own hands, and how exactly to do this is described step by step with the photo below.

First, it is important to choose a location. Do not place a pond in a lowland, as melt water in spring will lead to flooding of coastal areas

If the family has children, then it is important to place the pond so that it can be seen from the window. After choosing a location, you can proceed with the installation:

When using a pond bath, it is important to mark the contour along the edges of the container, and when digging a pit, strictly observe it

Dig a pit to size and to the desired depth. Add a layer of sand, align with the edge of the bath in the pit.

It is important for a couple of days to leave the bath in the pit without decoration and water the soil around it with water, as it can sink

After that, you can proceed to the design of the coastal zone. Decorate the edges with decorative natural stones, gravel and plants.

After the pond is ready, you can think over the mouth of the stream, decorate it with stones. If desired, install a fountain or geyser in the center of the pond, bringing all communications. Special lanterns for reservoirs can be installed along the bottom of the pond and stream. You can put small ornamental fish into such a pond and decorate it with lilies.

Second phase. Determining the style

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

Table 2. Artificial reservoir styles

Name	Short description
Regular ponds	This name exactly reflects the essence - these are designs that differ in clearly defined outlines. Geometrically correct pond shape is suitable for those areas that are decorated in the style of minimalism, high-tech, modern or classic. But, which is characteristic, the shape can be not only rectangular, but also square, round, oval, broken.
Landscape ponds	They are more popular, because they are characterized by naturalness and irregular outlines of the banks, which means they seem to bring a person closer to nature. The shape of the reservoir here depends only on personal preference, 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 an important role in choosing a style. So, if the surface is sufficiently flat, 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 a waterfall. In addition, against the backdrop of all this, an artificial slide, for example, will look great.

Also, the reservoir can be raised somewhat 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.

The walls of the reservoir rise above the ground

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

In the photo, a variant of a reservoir with walls made of gabions