How to make a pond in the country. How to make a pond on the site with your own hands - step by step instructions

The pond should begin with choosing a suitable location and determining the size of the future pond. The best place is at the lowest point, but at the same time make sure that it is well lit by the sun throughout the day. It is important that there are no widely developed crowns nearby. Otherwise, they will constantly fall into the water, and large roots can seriously disrupt the waterproofing of the reservoir.

The size of the pond depends on the scale of the entire site and the intentions of its owner. A pond with a diameter of about 3.5 m and a depth of about 100-120 cm is considered a classic. But if the site is small, you can make a pond about a meter in size and no more than 50 cm deep. It is important to remember that if you plan to breed some aquatic plants, the depth should be a little more - about 100 cm.

The next step in the construction of the pond will be the preparation of the pit. In fact, it is just a pit of a certain depth with a relatively flat bottom and walls. Almost any shape of the pit can be made. If it is subsequently intended to use a ready-made form for waterproofing, then the foundation pit should follow its lines. If there is no rigid form, you can give the future pond the contours of a circle, oval, figure eight, etc. The walls of the finished pit are cleaned of protruding roots and sharp stones, and the bottom is covered with a thick layer of sand, which is well compacted.

Creating a good waterproofing is a very important stage in the arrangement of the pond. If the choice is on a purchased rigid form, it is important to make sure that it is made of quality material. Cheap plastic will quickly crack and crumble under the influence of sunlight and temperature changes. Homemade waterproofing is usually made either from concrete, filling the bottom and walls of the pit with it, or from a film laid in several layers. For flexible waterproofing, you should choose PVC film or, if the budget allows, butyl rubber. Such material can last from 15 to 30 years. The bottom and walls of the pit are lined with a film, leaving small allowances for fixing at the edges.

The finished pond is decorated along the edges with natural materials: large cobblestones, plants, lined with turf. To replenish with fresh water, it is good to draw an artificial stream to the pond, the edges of which can also be overlaid with natural stone. The bottom can be decorated with a variety of stones (necessarily with blunt edges) and aquatic plants planted in baskets or small permeable containers. The most suitable colors are water lilies (nymphs), which beautifully cover the surface of the water.

Let the dacha be a place where work first goes on, and then rest, we do not forget about the beauty that helps us not to lose heart and enjoy every day spent there. Therefore, today we invite you to feel like landscape designers and build a pond in the country with your own hands.

Do-it-yourself pond creation rules and material requirements

A pond in the country is not a luxury, but in some way even a necessity. As the ancient philosophy of Feng Shui says, water near the house brings financial well-being and soothes.

In addition, it allows you to maintain relative humidity in a single area, pleases the eye and allows you to create an original solution in a designated area. Therefore, more and more often summer residents create ponds and ponds with their own hands, as in the photo.

Not everyone on the territory has a reservoir that can be put in order, surrounded by stone and made into an element of the landscape. More often we create a pond in the country with our own hands from scratch, faced with many issues that have to be addressed during construction.

Let's start with the fact that it is necessary to determine the location of the reservoir. For this the following factors should be taken into account:

  • relief of the territory;
  • the location of trees and other plants with a powerful root system, as well as foliage;
  • illumination of the selected area.

Study the terrain carefully. You may already have well-placed indentations, pits, or ruts that you made earlier. All of them will simplify the process of digging the pond itself.

In addition, do not forget that plants tend to grow and take up more and more space underground. Over time, the roots can spoil or even destroy the bottom of your pond, and the foliage, seasonally falling into the water, will rot and exude an unpleasant odor. Which will require you to pay more attention to the care of the pond, but not the joy of having it. Therefore, before digging, it is worth considering how far trees and bushes are located.

Most landscape designers recommend placing a pond near your home. This will make it easier for you to illuminate it without requiring separate lights and lamps for yourself. In addition, there is always enough free space near the house with natural light, because. there are no tall trees and dense vegetation nearby, blocking the light.

If you have found a place that meets the above requirements, then you can start work.

But for starters, it’s worth stocking up on materials and an approximate design of your future artificial reservoir.

Exists several ways to create a pond with their own hands in the suburban area:

  • from the finished bowl;
  • PVC film, polyethylene or rubber;
  • with the help of available materials.

Besides in addition to materials for the bottom device, you will need:

  • shovel,
  • measuring tools,
  • finishing and decorative materials,
  • water.

After creating a pond, you can launch fish into it. But then the depth of your artificial reservoir should be at least a meter so that the fish do not freeze in winter.

The order of work on the arrangement of the pond

If you decide to arrange the landscape, choose a place and think about the appearance of your future pond, then first decide the main question - what will it be like? Will you choose a ready-made bowl or cover the excavated pit with foil? It's up to you to decide. And we will help you create it according to all the rules.

We dig in the finished bowl

The prefabricated mold, cast at the factory, is an excellent and simple solution for those who want to enjoy a charming and calm view of the pond after a busy summer day.



Now in specialized stores they offer bowls of different sizes, types and contents. They may be:

  • simple plastic baths;
  • containers with several levels of depth;
  • bowls with complex contours of the coast.

Therefore, everyone will be able to choose the form that best suits the territory and landscape without spending extra time.

In addition, there are other advantages of ready-made bowls:

  • the plastic form is durable and not exposed to ultraviolet radiation;
  • the bowl is non-toxic and easy to install;
  • the average shelf life of this form is calculated in tens of years, which makes the pond durable and of high quality.

The main thing is not to damage the bowl during its installation in the future pond. The form is not subject to repair and restoration. However, if you are building to last, you can pick up a fiberglass bowl, it is famous for its strength and lasts 2-3 times longer.

So, you have chosen a bowl, found a suitable place, cleared it and are ready to create a pond with your own hands in the country. What's next?

First you need to transfer the contours of the bowl to the ground so that it fits exactly into the dug pit. For this you will need:

  • bowl;
  • pegs;
  • shovel;
  • rope.

To make the contour as similar as possible to the shape of a bowl, you need to install it on the ground and step back 10-20 cm from its edge. Repeating the shape of the bowl, stick the pegs into the ground and pull the rope along them.

So you will get the outlines of your future pond, under which you need to dig a foundation pit 20-30 cm more than the height of the bowl.

Don't forget to keep an eye on the top level. It is very important that the surface of your excavation is even, otherwise the ground around the pond will be wet and viscous all the time, spoiling the appearance of the shore.

When you achieve the desired depth and shape, be sure to sprinkle everything with sand and carefully tamp it down. This sand cushion will become the foundation for your pond. After you can set the form and fill the free space between the side of the bowl and the ground with sand.

When your future pond becomes stable, you can start filling and decorating it.

You can cover the shore with a decorative stone, plant water lilies or other water-loving plants along it. Install small figurines of swans or others created by yourself.

Making a film pond

If for some reason you do not want or cannot buy a finished bowl, then you can always make a pond with your own hands without it.

Enough to stock up:

  • shovel;
  • a rope or hose to outline the contour of the future pond;
  • thick film.

You will need the rest (water, decorative elements and figurines) later, when the main stage is completed - creating a foundation pit for a pond.

As with creating a pond with a finished bowl, first you need to decide on the size of the future reservoir and its contour. Then apply its borders to the ground with a rope or hose, which can simply be laid along the lined border, or can be wrapped around driven pegs.

When you are sure that you like the shape and approximate appearance of the future pond, you can start digging. Here the process will always be the same, because we just need a foundation pit.

The level of the pond should be the same. Therefore, check the evenness of the banks with the help of a building level or a beam laid on both sides of the pit.

When you reach the desired depth, fill the bottom with sand, compact it well, and then lay it with geotextile so that the film does not tear over time. To do this, you can use special material sold in hardware stores, or you can do it on your own. Take, for example, old carpets, rugs, roofing material or linoleum, suitable for the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe dug pit.

Now that the bottom is ready, measure your future pond and calculate the size of the film you need to create it. Usually, it is enough to know the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe pit and its depth. After that, add an allowance of 50 cm on each side to strengthen the film along the shore. And you can go shopping.

The film must be very strong and dense in order to withstand the weight of the water that we eventually pour into the pond. Therefore, do not save on this primary material and choose it wisely - the film thickness must be at least 300 microns so as not to tear under constant pressure.

So, as soon as the film is laid out on the bottom:

  1. Flatten it so that there are no folds and swelling.
  2. Line the shore with stones so that when filling it does not gather at the bottom.
  3. Prepare the plants if you want the pond to be with water lilies or other living decor.

The trick of how to arrange plants and flowers in a film pond will be shared with us Maxim Maximov in my master class:

The film pond is quite economical and allows us to create it in any shape and depth, which is impossible to do with a finished mold cast at the factory. That is why many choose this option to create their own reservoir in the country with their own hands.

But do not forget that the deeper you want to make the pond, the more likely it is that the shore may crumble. That is why we recommend that you, after the pit is dug, strengthen its walls. Depending on their height, you can use tiles or slate. And how best to do it, he will tell us Talla Khukhrianskaia in my master class:

When all technical issues are resolved, the pit can be filled with water. To do this, just throw a hose connected to the water supply into it.

In addition to the stone, which has an important function and holds the film on the shore, you can put decorative figurines, flower pots and handicrafts that you have made for giving your own hands. Decorate the pond so that it reflects your creative nature and is pleasing to the eye.

Do not get carried away with decor, because periodically the pond needs to be cleaned so that the water does not fade in it and does not turn a beautiful country pond into a large puddle. And for this, be sure to leave a place on the shore so that you can go to the pond. Better yet, provide a stream that will drain the water.

We create a pond in the country from improvised materials

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to find the right and high-quality building materials, but if the desire to create a pond with your own hands does not go anywhere, do not despair. Simple improvised materials will also come to the rescue, which any summer resident has enough of.

A pond can be made from a variety of things:

  • from an old car tire;
  • from an old bathtub left after repair;
  • from a barrel, basin or bucket.

Bathtub pond...

... from old tires ...

...and from an old barrel

If you really want to create an unusual and original pond, then the lack of capacity will not stop you.

Using old containers

As we have said, a pond can even be made from an old bathtub. After all, in fact, it is no worse than the finished form.

The process of creating such a pond will be similar to the previous ones:

  • dig a pit under the form;
  • fill it with sand and make a cement screed;
  • insert bath;
  • fill with water.

Due to its weight, the bathtub will sag heavily in the pit, which is why it is recommended to tighten its bottom with cement - to strengthen it. So that over time the pond does not go deeper.

Also, do not spare sand and earth to stabilize the tub inside the pit. For a snug fit of our handy bowl to the shores, fill in all the voids.

And do not leave the side of the bathtub open, it will not look aesthetically pleasing and will spoil the appearance of the future artificial reservoir.

And how to dig a bath and arrange it in a pond with your own hands will clearly show and tell Vitaly KIY in your video tutorial:

However, if your summer cottage is not large enough to have a full-fledged pond on it, do not be discouraged - you can also make a pond with your own hands in the country from small containers, as in the photo.

Take an old metal or wooden basin, a small barrel or tub. All of them can become an original decorative reservoir, which does not even have to be submerged below ground level.

At the little pond from an old basin there are many benefits, so do not deny yourself the joy of creating a modest artificial reservoir, if the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe site does not allow more:

  • does not require excessive costs - everything you need for its device is at hand;
  • it will take a little time to arrange it - from several minutes to a couple of hours, but not a day or more;
  • it can be placed anywhere;
  • if you installed the pond on the surface, and did not dig it in, then you can always rearrange it to another place by simply pouring out the water and refilling it after being carried;
  • it does not require special attention to care - it is enough to change the water from time to time and wash it from the inside so that the bottom is clean.

Ponds from a basin or a small barrel can be installed on a reinforced, flat surface, filled with water and decorated with decorative figurines or flowers.

But if your pelvis has long lost its decent appearance and there is no way to restore its former gloss, then simply dig a small ditch to fit its size, install it there according to the principle of an old bath and overlay it with pebbles along the shore.

As you can see, old containers allow us to fantasize and create incredible ponds with our own hands in a country house of any size. And it helps us realize our creative potential.

Pond to the cottage from the tire

However, if repairs are not planned in the apartment, and the old basins have long been worn out or turned into flower beds, do not despair, you still have a chance to get your own pond.

And for this you will need the most indispensable and affordable material - a car tire. Tires in modern dacha society have long become a universal substitute for building materials.

And no wonder - the strength and shape of the tire allows you to make anything out of it, including a pond. And the size of the future reservoir will depend only on the size of the tire you choose.

First you need to prepare your future container - cut it off along the top edge so that only the sides remain. To do this, you will need a jigsaw or a sharp knife (if you chose a tire from a car).

After you can go to the pond itself.

Installation steps:

  1. Outline the tire and dig a pit along the height of the prepared bowl.
  2. Fill the pit with sand and tamp the bottom.
  3. Insert the cover inside.
  4. Cover the tire and the bottom of the future pond with a thick film.
  5. Fill the edges of the film with sand, and then decorate with turf, stone or embankment so that the film is well fixed.
  6. Fill the pond with water and decorate with pre-designed decor.

Your tire pond is ready. And it will not yield in beauty to either ready-made bowls or large film ponds located in large spaces.

In addition, it is easier to care for and keep clean, and it does not require a lot of water or effort to arrange it.

As you can see, if you have been wanting to feel like a landscape designer for a long time in order to turn your dacha into a beautiful vacation spot where you can not only work, but also enjoy nature away from the noisy city, you can always create a pond with your own hands at no extra cost.

If you like our ideas, check out the other articles in the series!

One of the brightest tools in landscape design is a 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 of artificial reservoirs by functionality

Group nameShort 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

NameShort 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 bumps 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.

  1. Land area. Not only the size of the pond, but also its shape directly depend on it.
  2. illumination. It is preferable to place an artificial pond 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.
  3. Relief. The shape of the pond depends on it, and it also simplifies the installation of additional elements (for example, fountains).
  4. 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 the strongly heated water decreases.

  1. Expandability. Do not forget about the perspective, so on the one hand we leave free space.
  2. Visibility. It is desirable to arrange the reservoir so that it can be seen from the house and places of rest.
  3. 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.
  4. Reflection. The pond will look more attractive if the surface reflects the sky or beautiful buildings, and not some kind of utility structure.
  5. 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.
  6. Compatibility with general decoration 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 specific length and width, they depend not only on the area of ​​the land, 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 issue 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

The most expensive option, which, nevertheless, allows you to operate the reservoir for quite a long time. Although concrete pouring is more suitable for arranging a 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 several folk ways to make a reservoir that use improvised materials. 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 be an excellent decoration of the 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, takes the desired shape better, it can be repaired, and specific knowledge or skills are not required for work.

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

  1. Black film - it will turn the bottom into a mirror (plants, clouds, etc. will be reflected).
  2. Cream, blue- so the reservoir will look more like a pool, and the fish on a light background will be more clearly visible.
  3. 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.

  1. First we remove the sod.
  2. 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.
  3. 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);
  • we lay PVC film (the 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 sloping, 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 amplification methods should be combined with engineering ones.

Eighth stage. Making an artificial pond

There are several ways to decorate a pond. To make it a full-fledged design element, use one or more of the following methods.


As a conclusion. Features of care

As a result, a few words about the further care of the artificial reservoir.


Video - Creating a pond from a film

However, if you are the owner of a small plot, you can think about a mini pond. A mini pond is usually placed on a terrace or in a front garden. But due to its modest size, it is quite possible to make it on the balcony or even inside the house.
In general, a mini pond is a body of water within 0.5 - 1 m3. (but not less than 20 liters of water), which is a small ecosystem with plants and even animals (fish). It can be complemented by a fountain and other decorative elements.
In order to make such a pond with your own hands, you will need a wooden box, a waterproof container made of plastic or anything else, the main thing is stainless material, waterproofing film, gravel, stones, sand, soil, and plants.
Here is a diagram of a mini pond device:

It should be remembered that in sunny summer weather a lot of water evaporates from the surface of the pond, so it must be topped up regularly.

Mini pond plants need 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Therefore, northern and poorly lit areas are best avoided.
Almost all planted plants need a substrate for rooting (the exception is plants that float in water with roots. You can use gravel from the bottom of the stream, or you can buy special “building gravel”, which includes sand and pebbles 16-32 mm in size Some plants can be placed in a pond in separate bowls.For example, water lilies grow well in a substrate with a predominance of clay.

In summer, ornamental plants in a small pond tolerate diurnal temperature fluctuations well; in the cold period, with proper preparation, they tolerate frosts, with the exception of foreign heat-loving plants, which are best transferred indoors for wintering.
On the terrace, a pond looks very impressive when the tub is deepened in the ground. And decorate the perimeter of the reservoir with stones and various plants.

We build a pond with our own hands for the garden

Create a do-it-yourself pond for goldfish and aquatic plants within your capacity. Make sure your garden pond is at least 60 to 90cm deep. Nothing beats a garden pond if you want to make your garden even more inviting. It is surprisingly easy to make and care for. Dig a hole, fill it with a layer of sand, line everything with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film, and you will have a pond of any shape you want.

Before you begin, make sure: your pond is on a level surface with enough sunlight for at least five hours a day, can be reached with a garden hose, and can be seen from your home, porch, or patio. Surprisingly, the bigger your pond, the better.

Anything less than 60cm deep and 2.5m in diameter collects heat and becomes clogged with algae. In cold climates, it is necessary to dig a hole at least 90 cm deep so that the fish can survive the winter.

Check before you dig. Mark the desired shape of the pond with a hose. Sprinkle the hose with sand or flour to outline your pond.

You will need:

PVC coating

fine gravel

bricks

stone slabs

Round stones for the bottom of the pond

Step 1

Dig a hole at least 60cm deep, tilting the sides slightly. Completely remove large roots or sharp stones.

Step 2

Make sure the edges of the pond are even with a level. Lay a 5-7cm layer of wet sand on the bottom and sides of the pit. This helps to smooth the sides and protect the finish from punctures.

Step 3

Lay a PVC cover in the hole, leaving an extra 30cm of cover around the entire pond. Line the pond with bricks so that the PVC covering is not visible.

Step 4

Lay the slab so that it is 2.5-5cm from the brickwork. Let the water sit for two days to remove any chemicals.

Step 5

Lower the pots of aquatic plants to the desired depth. For example, a water lily should be placed in such a way that the edge of the pot is 15-30 cm from the surface of the water.

Carefully place round stones on the bottom of the pond. When choosing aquatic creatures such as fish, snails and tadpoles, contact your supplier to determine the amount of space they need.

It is worth taking a small plastic hermetic box or a suitable container, and having a little imagination, decorate it so that it turns into a small reservoir with its own ecosystem.
To do this, you need to take some soil, pebbles and green vegetation and the water container will turn into a pretty pond.
On the terrace you can place a large wooden tub hidden in the ground. Water, of course, will need to be changed periodically, and if the pond is located in the sun, then add it during the day. But nevertheless, such a piece of the water element, combined with the general style of the entire garden, will become a real decoration and highlight of the garden.

Photo: fancy2110 (home-and-garden.webshots.com)
This pond is arranged in a concrete flower pot

The front garden is a great place for a mini-pond. In the shade of plants, a small pool with water lilies will look good. As a container, you can use a galvanized basin or a trough covered with natural material.

In a seedling box or in a basin.
On balconies and verandas, a mini pond can be arranged in a seedling box, in a basin or in a tub. If you decide to make a pond on the balcony, then it is better to install it on a low table or even hang it. The outer sides can be decorated by sticking stones, pebbles or mosaics on them. We cover the bottom of the container with a layer of humus, then a layer of sand and a layer of pebbles. You can also make a small hole to drain the water, although this is not necessary for such a small reservoir.

Mini pond. A corner of quiet retreat in your garden

Marina Savinykh

Water is the source of life, a symbol of eternity and inviolability. It is known that nothing can soothe and relax like admiring the water. So in landscape design, mini-reservoirs have gained their popularity.

The tradition of decorating gardens with artificial ponds originates in Japan. Truly the pearl of the Japanese garden is water. Reservoirs are represented by the most diverse forms and are always decorated with finely selected aquatic plants, and often their inhabitants are goldfish. It is no secret that the Japanese landscape is more than aesthetic beauty, it is also a tribute to ancient traditions, legends and wisdom. Each landscape object contains a certain symbol that can influence the viewer.

In order for the mini pond to please throughout the summer, it is worth thinking about its project now. Many plants that will serve as decoration for a mini-pond need to be planted in early spring, by which time the type of small reservoir, its shape and location should already be determined.

Today, modern technologies make it possible to create miniature ponds on a site of any size, with various levels of complexity. Even on a minimal area, you can place such a reservoir that will significantly enliven the landscape.

There are the following types of ready-made containers for artificial mini-ponds:

  • constructions using polymeric materials;
  • finished structures;
  • monolithic structures.

Structures using polymeric materials are arranged according to the following principle: a recess of at least one and a half meters is dug and completely covered with a polymer film, the edges of the film are decorated on the outside with tiles, natural stones, wooden frames, etc. The device of the reservoir will cost inexpensively, if necessary, it can be easily disassembled, so there is an opportunity to clean the room for the winter. But there are also disadvantages - the polymer film loses strength over time and can leak.

Finished structures are made of polymeric materials, metal, wood or ceramics, and can be mounted at different levels. Unlike polymer films, finished structures will last longer.

For monolithic ones, a recess of at least one and a half meters is initially dug, then walls are formed from reinforcement, which are subsequently poured with concrete. The advantages of such a tank are durability, increased strength, as well as the ability to realize any conceived shape.

The principle of caring for a mini-pond depends on the presence of plants and animals in it. If the design of the pond is limited exclusively to external decor, then it is enough to change the water once a month. Care becomes much more complicated if aquatic plants, as well as fish and other aquatic inhabitants, are placed in a mini-pond.

It must be remembered that the mini-pond sets the overall style of landscape design. A "mini" type pond can be played as a corner of the wild, decorating it with boulders and planting climbing and moss plants. You can create a small piece of a fairy tale by placing goldfish and water lilies in a mini-pond, and plant marshy plants (reeds, cyperus, etc.) around the pond. A small pond will look more impressive if you set the backlight in a gentle tone. Then the mini-pond will become a favorite place of quiet solitude in the evenings.

Corner mini-pond made of bricks

landscape design this is not only the green part of the plot with plants, but also the territory adjacent to the house. Suppose your site has a boring corner where, for some reason, plants cannot be placed. You can revive it with this mini pond from brick. Height and width reservoir is selected according to the size of your free space.

Brick for reservoir we take the usual not rounded one, we derive a semicircle due to the wide seams between the bricks. Interior reservoir: either a finished form or we concrete the structure inside, a film for ponds is also suitable. Plants planted in containers will add to your water mini pond naturalness and beauty.

Do-it-yourself pond from an old bath

Let's talk about how our hands in the garden do old bath pond. After repairs in the house often remains an old cast-iron bath. You can use it further - make it garden pond.

The most important thing is to determine the location of the future pond. Then dig a pit under bath. At the bottom of the pit, it is necessary to pour gravel, crushed stone 10-20 cm, then sand 20 cm. In the place where the drain hole is in the bathroom, make the drainage layer deeper. This is so that later, if desired, you can leave a drain hole and drain water from it for the winter. If there is good drainage under the drain, the water in bathroom not so much and it will absorb into the ground without any problems. The second drain hole must be cemented.

Lay bricks in the corners, it is installed on it bath. Pour the earth, gradually tamping and adding water. Leave the top of the tub slightly above ground level.

Decorate bath under pond paving stone. For this we have set bath a little above ground level, so that around baths Pour crushed stone 20-30 cm. On the crushed stone we lay the flagstone stone on the cement mortar. Flagstone stones, as it were, “we start” inside baths, thereby closing its ugly edge. So that the shape of the pond does not really resemble a bath, we lay out the stones along the edges of the bath and go beyond baths. Layers of stone must be laid at least 3-4.

Surface baths white, for pond it is not beautiful and unnatural. You can cover the inside of the bathtub with a black film, then this must be done before the stone work. Bring the edges of the film under the stone.

Can you paint bath, but the surface of the bath is smooth, the paint from it peels off over time. Therefore, enamel baths for pond must be cleaned to give it porosity for better paint application.

For surface cleaning baths a “grinder” is needed, a special nozzle on it with a sticky surface, to which the “Petal” emery wheel or the “Foreman” wire nozzle is attached. What kind of paint to cover the surface will be advised by a consultant in any building market. And the color is better to choose dark gray. To the bottom pond you can sprinkle some pebbles.

We pour water and old bath pond garden ready. Done do it yourself.

Now you need to choose plants for pond, drop them in small groups near the pud to your liking. Near pond irises, hostas, bergenia look beautiful. It will be beautiful inside pond from the bathroom plant aquatic plants in containers, maybe even run fish.

You can not drain the water for the winter, if in your garden pond there will already be a biological environment, it will try to survive. Still, a bath in the depths of the earth is the warmth of the earth, snow will lie on top of the ice - it will also retain heat. For reliability for the winter, you can throw a couple of plastic bottles into the water.

The idea of ​​​​decorating a pond with large stones


Idea pond design big stones. In this version, the form pond semicircle. Myself pond can be made from a finished form or covered with a film. Overlap the edges with large stones. Because the stones are very large, they can easily close all the costs of the edges pond. To make such pond do-it-yourself is very simple, no special skill is required, but it looks like a work of professionals. The only problem is that the stones are very heavy, they must be carried by two people, wide ropes or a tight bag should be stretched under them and taken by the edges. Do not forget, under the stones, where they lie directly on the ground, pour a little gravel, sand on top and cover with black lutrasil, so as not to tear the weeds between them later.

In this embodiment, an ordinary indoor cyperius is planted directly into the water in a container, it loves moisture very much and looks harmonious for pond.

The second option is very similar, only it is a fountain on a motor, decorated with gravel.


Stylistics of garden ponds

Arrangement of a reservoir - aerobatics in the art of landscape design. On the territory of Russia today there is an increased interest in ponds, streams and waterfalls in the garden. Having played plenty of alpine slides, hedges and mixborders, the owners of suburban areas gradually come to understand a simple truth: without water, the garden still remains not quite harmonious, as if unfinished. But before proceeding with the renewal of the site, in which it is imperative to find a place for a reservoir or watercourse, it is necessary to evaluate all the forms in which water can appear in the garden.

With all the variety of gardens, and there are more than a dozen different garden styles, they are all divided into two large groups: regular and landscape. The former are characterized by a symmetrical layout, emphasizing the correct geometric shapes of flower beds. These gardens include Muslim, French and Italian classical gardens. Reservoirs in them also have strict geometric outlines; very often there are classically shaped fountains, regular-shaped canals, cascades, aqueducts and ponds.
Landscape style is well known to Russians. Most of our compatriots prefer ponds and streams of natural forms, inherent in English classical gardens (landscape); stylistics of the Far East (Japanese and Chinese); gardens of natural style (from the German Naturegarten). The free outlines of ponds and the lively running of streams and waterfalls in landscape gardens give them an extraordinary charm, make the garden as similar as possible to a corner of natural nature.

The avant-garde style gardens stand somewhat apart, the hallmark of which is originality and conceptuality. It is almost impossible to predict the shape of a reservoir in such a garden: it can be both symmetrical and natural or so unusual that you do not immediately decide to call the structure invented by the designer a reservoir or watercourse ...

regular reservoirs

A conversation about regular-style reservoirs should begin with Islamic gardens. Not because they are the most ancient - it is possible that this is not so. But the fact is that there is no greater reverence for water in any other garden style. Water, which in the Arab lands was an extremely limited resource, the greatest value, eventually quite naturally became a symbol of luxury. The Garden of Eden in the view of Muslims is a place in which fountains are sure to beat and roses are fragrant. The composition of all Islamic gardens is a strictly geometric square or rectangle, divided into 4 parts by shallow channels (such a garden structure was characteristic of ancient Persian gardens and has taken root for centuries). Apart from these channels, water is present in the form of rectangular ponds and fountains. The latter were present in a multitude and were arranged technically very perfectly: their activity was carried out due to the force of gravity. Under the fountains (or under a rectangular pond with fountains installed in it) lay a labyrinth of pipes traversed by valves and gates designed to control the distribution of water to countless fountain outlets throughout the garden.

Fountains are one of the most beloved forms that humanity has sought to give to water. The difference between Islamic ones is in their brevity: since the Koran forbids depicting living beings, then, as a rule, these were simple drinking fountains with a small trickle of water barely rising above the bowl or the surface of the pond.
If we talk about the demand for the Islamic style in the gardens of modern Europe, including Russia, then this is rather a lighter and more elegant Spanish-Moorish style, which can easily be found in the patio or in the space in front of the house, even if it is small, as in the case of townhouses.

The French regular style, which entered the life of the nobility under the Sun King Louis XIV, is widely known throughout the world. In the magnificent garden of Versailles, created by the brilliant gardener Henri Le Nôtre, sumptuous feasts were held, accompanied by splashes of water jets and the brilliance of water in canals and ponds. The triumph of man over Nature is the main idea of ​​this style, told through strict symmetry, sheared topiary forms and water squeezed into a rigid frame. The water of a regular garden is a strict form of pools, sculptural fountains, small wall fountains and cascades. Peterhof Park became an example of this style in Russia.

Very close to the French style is Italian, which in the classic version was performed as a small garden near the villa, surrounded by a trimmed hedge. Diagonal and straight paths invariably led to the center of the garden, where there was certainly a pond or fountain. Ponds, as a rule, were given the shape of a circle, oval or square. Old Italian estates were often surrounded by artistically designed water channels, a bit reminiscent of ditches around fortress walls.

Today, both French and Italian regular style are quite in demand. In any case, not a single worthy landscape design exhibition is complete without projects of this kind. The most common application of this style in private estates is the front (entrance) section of the estate in the classical style or the classic symmetrically-correct design of the patio, where the water looks like channels, fountains or a mini-pond.

Particularly noteworthy are the formal decorative pools of the new generation, which are extremely numerous in the projects of the best European designers, in particular those who take part in the Chelsea Flower Show in London, and which are almost non-existent in Russia. These are reservoirs of ideal geometric shape, usually of very shallow depth, the main role of which is to create a feeling of freshness in the garden and play the role of a natural mirror that reflects the sky, clouds and graceful vegetation surrounding such reservoirs.

I would like to separately note that ponds in each of the listed regular styles can be arranged either flush with the ground level or have a bowl raised above the ground with walls up to 0.5-0.7 m high, which is almost never found in landscape gardens.

landscape style

The landscape style embodies freedom and naturalness: the trees in it are never cut, they try to make the paths inconspicuous and asymmetric, and they strive to give the water the appearance of a natural reservoir, as close as possible in its appearance to the natural one. The most ancient examples of this style belong to the Far East - China and Japan, and the most common today follow the principles of creating gardens in the British Isles.
Chinese gardens, as a rule, occupy rather large areas. Their owners for centuries have treated the reservoirs with great trepidation. Typically, a garden has a central pond and several additional streams and waterfalls surrounded by rocks and lush vegetation. The ponds and lakes in the garden, as a rule, were large, in which it was possible to ride on boats made in the form of a dragon, thus moving through the entire garden. Today, ponds may not be large, but one or more bridges over the watercourse must have a characteristic shape, most often made of stone or wood.

Ponds in the Chinese garden often became a haven not only for magnificent aquatic and coastal aquatic vegetation, but also for animals. : Koi, goldfish, and mandarin ducks are frequent visitors to these gardens. The streams of the Chinese garden are very beautiful - it is not for nothing that they liked to put graceful arbors on their banks ...

Island Japan has always suffered from a lack of space for gardens, and therefore their landscape art is, in fact, the art of miniatures. This statement has nothing to do with monastery gardens and large parks. "Secular" Japanese gardens are mostly small, from a few square meters, areas intended for viewing and short walks. In any case, the garden for the Japanese is a small model of the universe. Water in the garden is not always present, but if it is, then its forms are very diverse and specific.

Japan has a tendency to appreciate not so much the surface of the water as the dynamics of the flow and the sounds made by streams and waterfalls. Japanese garden waterfalls can be simple and complex, multi-stage. The place for the waterfall is chosen with great care. Almost always they are covered with vegetation, which makes the landscapes even more romantic.

Garden ponds in the oriental garden always have islands, one of which is considered paradise and does not connect to the shore. There are several types of islands: forest, mountain, rocky, with young pine trees on the sand. In modern Japanese gardens, ponds replace small stone pools of water, and sometimes there is not even room for them. Then this element of nature can be introduced into the composition of the garden in the form of a tsukubai - a stone bowl with water in the form of a barrel, in which they traditionally washed their hands during the tea ceremony. In some cases, the tsukubai may be at ground level, but most often it is raised to a height of 20-30 cm. Usually, tsukubai are placed on a low, small, level area in front of a stone wall, hedge or in the center of the garden and are always illuminated with a stone lantern.
Another decorative element of the garden, which is directly related to water, is a thin plumbing from a hollow bamboo stem through which water runs. The Japanese name for this watercourse is shishi odoshi, which means "scaring deer" in Japanese. it was originally invented by farmers for this very purpose. Most often, such structures are located on the edge of the pond.

Fascinated by the beauty and naturalness of the Far Eastern gardens, the English colonialists "infected" their compatriots with a love for natural landscapes. Today, Great Britain is considered the state in which the landscape style (words such as English, romantic, natural became synonymous with it) reached its peak. Landscape composition techniques strove for beauty and naturalness. A characteristic feature, in addition to the beautiful "bouquet" plantings of trees, have become vast spaces reserved for lawns. Beautiful ponds, streams, waterfalls and cascades surrounded by greenery and moisture-loving vegetation are a characteristic feature of such gardens.

The naturegarten style is very similar to the English landscape style, with ponds and streams of the same natural shape, but its main principle in the design of the reservoir is the rejection of the most beautiful coastal plants, possibly imported from afar or, on the contrary, have long been included in culture and subjected to selection, in favor of "savages" - that is, the vegetation that is characteristic of the area and grows literally behind the fence. Designing the coastline with coastal plants characteristic of the area makes such a solution as viable as possible.

avant-garde gardens

To date, the most interesting garden ponds are found in those gardens that are made in the avant-garde style. Landscape architects who love the avant-garde have always treated water with special trepidation, rightly believing that you can relax and truly relax only by a pond. Life-giving moisture can be present in such gardens in a variety of ways. For example, one of the exhibition gardens from The 100% Pure New Zealand Garden was a fairy tale fantasy about the aesthetics of a desert seashore. The water, as it were, flowed from the mountains, trying to reach the sea, and passed in its path the rainforest, and the wild cliffs of the west coast, and the dunes unprotected from the wind. More than 3,000 types of plants were used in the creation of the garden!

The water of an avant-garde garden can become a symbol of respect for this valuable natural resource. For example, in the project Bradstone: Walking Barefoot with Bradstone, which won a gold medal at one of the exhibitions in Chelsea, a special drainage garden system was used: through special funnels, rainwater is collected from the roof of the house and from the walls of a blank fence that surrounds the garden on both sides, accumulates in large reservoirs inside walls and is used to keep the water level within the garden's closed water system. Of course, in the absence of rain, the replenishment of water resources comes from civilized sources, and yet this system is very interesting and environmentally friendly.

The combination of glass and water is very advantageous. An example is an interesting "water" project - "Ravine Garden: gift of the Glacier" from the Lake Forest Garden Club. Glass blocks, installed among the greenery of trees, on a hillock, seem to melt, giving life to a stream. The stream flows down, surrounded by simple but very graceful plants, but the water does not just go into the ground: it falls on a platform made of glass, similar to an unmelted block of ice, and already falls into the channel from it, creating an interesting lens effect.

An absolutely remarkable avant-garde pond was shown at an exhibition in Chelsea in 2008. Designed by Arabella Lennox-Boyd. A thinly curved ribbon of water lilies running down the center intersected with a garden path that also acted as a bridge from one end of the pond to the other. The composition was structured by beautifully arranged stones set in the water.

Russians will soon celebrate the 20th anniversary of landscape design in its modern form. Obviously, their preferences are landscape-style ponds and streams. But allowing yourself only reservoirs of this kind is too strict a restriction, significantly narrowing the number of options. To appreciate the variety of forms and styles of design of modern reservoirs, it is enough to visit one of the European landscape design exhibitions, for example, the English exhibitions in Chelsea or in the Hamptons.

A special place in the landscape design of garden plots is occupied by reservoirs: they have magic. The backyard territory is transformed and looks noticeably more interesting if a beautiful garden pond is located on the site. A small reservoir is visible from different points of the garden, it is pleasant to relax near it, enjoy the coolness and contemplation of the water surface, surrounded by picturesque vegetation. One of the easiest ways to create a pond on your site is to use a ready-made structure made in the form of a polymer bowl. How to choose and install a plastic pond for a summer residence on a personal plot?

Variants and forms of containers

On sale there are plastic tanks for ponds of various sizes. Estimate the size of your site so that the created pond looks appropriate. In a small area, a compact design will look good. Large plastic ponds are mainly equipped in vast household plots. For the device of artificial reservoirs, plastic forms are used, which are easy to install and maintain. The pond bowl can be made from several types of material:

  1. Polyethylene. Such an artificial reservoir has a small capacity, usually in the range of 130-900 liters of water. Stationary molds made of high-quality polyethylene, with careful handling and operation, serve for many years. Decorative pond is neutral to UV exposure, easy to maintain and install. However, such a plastic product requires careful handling during transportation and installation - a plastic pond bowl cannot withstand repeated bending and impact.
  2. Capacities for a pond from polypropylene. The product is characterized by high strength, flexibility and ductility. Such a reservoir has a long service life - up to twenty years. Polypropylene is characterized by high temperature stability. The polypropylene bowl has impeccable tightness, additional waterproofing is not needed.
  3. fiberglass structures. In terms of technical and operational characteristics, fiberglass is superior to polyethylene and polypropylene. If cracks form, the pond bowl can be repaired with special compounds. The service life of fiberglass garden ponds is 20-30 years. The material is resistant to temperature changes, UV rays, easy and reliable in operation. Fiberglass bowls can have a lot of volume and depth.

How to choose a place for a reservoir

In different parts of the garden, the degree of illumination is not the same. When choosing the most suitable place for laying out an ornamental pond, completely open areas should be avoided, since algae will grow intensively in the water in bright light. Also avoid areas with closely growing tall vegetation if you don't want to waste your time fighting leaves and debris falling into the water. It is not recommended to place a plastic pond in a country house near outbuildings: not the most attractive “picture” will be reflected in the mirror surface of the water.

When installing the bowl, consider a few key points:

  • A garden pond should not be built on hillocks and slopes, it is better to choose flat areas. This helps to avoid pressure on the walls of the bowl, which can deform the structure.
  • For the device of the reservoir, a plot covered with turf, located near a low shrub, is suitable. Small plants do not block the view and sunlight.
  • They exclude places with tall trees - foliage flies from them, needles fall off and fall into a reservoir. Branched roots interfere with digging a pit for plastic bowls.
  • The far corners of the garden, hiding the view of the water, are not suitable. Since the reservoir in the country will become the central element of the site, it must be viewed from different points.
  • In the daytime, plastic containers should be exposed to sunlight for no more than six hours. Direct and prolonged exposure to light leads to flowering and evaporation of water.
  • For convenient access to the water provide for the laying of paths and paths. Near the artificial plastic pond, benches, benches and gazebos are installed.
  • When choosing a plastic structure, the size of the garden plot is taken into account. For small areas, a pond bowl with a depth of up to a meter and an area of ​​​​3x3 meters is suitable.

Note: fish can be bred in plastic reservoirs, but for their comfortable living in the water, containers of a sufficiently large size are needed.

The bowl for the pond usually has multi-level steps, cascades and recesses. They can be used to decorate the pond with aquatic plants.

Installation of a plastic pond

An artificial reservoir is installed in a prepared pit; the dug hole should follow the curves of the form. If the design is small, it is turned upside down and the contour is beaten off with pegs. Under large ponds, markup is performed after measuring the bowl. To install a pond in the garden, construction tools and materials are needed: pegs, a level, a shovel, sand and finishing products - stones, slate, gravel, flagstone.

How to install a plastic pond:

Important: the cavities between the pit and the plastic mold must be well compacted with wet sand, while increasing the water level in the tank. This is necessary so that the walls of the plastic pond do not deform from the pressure of wet sand. After one to three days, when the container is thoroughly settled in the pit, they begin to decorate the area near the water.

The composition with a pond in the garden gives the landscape a special zest. Even without mastering the skills of artistic design, you can decorate the site effectively and unusually by digging in plants and placing decorative elements. For small plastic reservoirs, it is better to avoid piling up large stones. Tall plants are excluded so that they do not interfere with the view of the water. Recommendations:

  • The protruding edges of the plastic form are covered with stones to give the banks a natural look.
  • The plants surrounding the plastic pond mold should be moisture-loving and low in height.
  • Large rounded stones or flagstone are chosen to decorate the banks.
  • Large reservoirs are decorated with large serpentine cobblestones and flagstone, fine gravel.
  • If the volume allows, you can arrange a fountain or waterfall in the reservoir using special pumps.
  • Aquatic plants are populated in a plastic container, if desired, fish are bred in a pond.

Rules of care and operation

The attractiveness of the plastic construction for giving is that it is not necessary to drain the water from the reservoir for the winter. The containers withstand low temperatures down to -30°C. Bowls of ponds with a depth of more than 80 cm do not freeze through in a climate of middle latitudes.

How to care for a plastic pond:

  • The bowl is periodically cleaned of excess algae and silt, this can be done without draining the water. However, in case of serious contamination or rotting of the water, it may be necessary to completely drain it with a pump, thoroughly clean the bowl and fill with fresh water.
  • So that the water does not stagnate and bloom, it is desirable to ensure its constant circulation with the help of pumping equipment and water purification filters.
  • If leaves, twigs and petals fall into the water, they must be removed. In autumn, you can cover the bowl with a net - then it is much easier to collect garbage.

Caring for an artificial reservoir does not require much time and effort. Decorative plastic pond fits perfectly into the landscape design, gives it an aesthetic appeal. Thanks to the variety of shapes, interesting design ideas can be realized. A decorative pond is a luxury available to everyone.