You might’ve had big dreams for your garden, a lush haven of plants and features. Reality doesn’t always match fantasies, and now, you’re stuck with a space too small to fulfill your dreams.
A small water feature is your best bet. It’ll make your yard seem more spacious, more luxurious, and full of life. However, digging up a tiny pond inside your garden differs from planting a bush of marigolds or pansies.
Let’s go over the considerations to keep in mind if you take up this task.
Determine the Purpose
Your pond is primarily there for decorative purposes, but the multiple design options can change the aesthetics of your entire yard. Think about the following questions:
- Do you want it to look natural or to stand out as the central piece? Would you prefer a fountain?
- Will you use the area for planting?
- Would you like to have fish in your pond?
The answers restrict the pump and filtration systems you can use to make it work. If you’re unsure about what you want, look into different types of backyard ponds for inspiration before making any decisions.
Choose the Right Spot
The ideal location for a pond has enough natural light. The sun consistently cleans and maintains your water surface, keeping it fresh and free of bacteria.
However, there should be some shade around, especially in hot climates, to prevent sunshine from drying out the water in the summer.
You should also find a level plot of land, avoiding tilted areas if possible. While a bit of an angle won’t make much of a difference, it’s more challenging to DIY the digging if you have to change depths halfway through the process.
Determine the Size
A small garden doesn’t leave enough room for a broad pond, but you can play around with depth depending on which plants and fish you plan on cultivating.
For example, many water plants flourish in shallow areas, while fish require a bit of depth to survive winter. Consider the pipes that run below your yard, too.
Once you choose the size and location, it’s time to break ground. Prepare some clay for lining once you dig it up and you’re already halfway there.
Get the Right Accessories
Filling the hole with water and stopping there leads to missing out on everything a mini-lake has to offer. You’ll find many affordable, easy-to-install extras that make the design much more practical and impressive.
You can go to Aquatic Ponds for a glance at the scope of tools and extras at your disposal. Notable cherries on top include:
- Pumps to keep the water moving
- Filtration systems for maintenance and cleanliness
- Waterfalls for fancy details
- Nightlights to astonish visitors
A garden pond is much more than a still pool of water. Most of its charm lies in what’s inside and around it, though, so don’t skip this step.
Add Fish and Plants
Finally, if you still have your gardening ambitions, you can plant flowers and bushes around the pond. Alternatively, many fish species thrive in small artificial spaces, breathing life into your backyard.
Do some research about which species from the natural world can survive and flourish in your climate beforehand, though.
Take Away
Instead of remaining frustrated with a garden not big enough to match your aspirations, enjoy your new project.
Adding a water feature to the back yard opens the door to endless possibilities. Embrace the hobby and uncover all the options this tiny pond adds to your gardening repertoire.
