Building a Natural Pond
A backyard pond can be designed to be any size and built in barrels or other containers. They can have an elegant design complete with channels, waterfalls, and fountains. A backyard pond can also benefit people and animals by providing a scenic addition to any garden.
A pond should blend into its surroundings and be visible from a patio or deck. The soil around the pond should be slightly elevated to prevent excess water from draining back into the pond. You should avoid putting the pond under trees as this will help eliminate debris and allow aquatic plants to thrive in direct sunlight.
Excavation of the site should be a depth of at least 18 to 24 inches, although 24 to 36 inches is ideal. This depth allows for a greater variety of aquatic life to be supported. Terraces and tiers should be built in at different depths to create locations for different pots of aquatic plants. Always remember to allow room for landscaping.
The essential part of any garden project are the plants. A mix of submersible, emergent and floating species should be chosen for optimal effect. Emergent plants such as cattails, arrowhead and water lilies should be added to the margins of pools. Floating plants such as duckweed, water lettuce, and water hyacinth are quite effective in help keeping pond water clear by impeding the amount of direct sunlight that enters the pond.
What is a pond without fish? They are a pleasure to care for and help eliminate the insect population. Scavengers such as tadpoles can also be added to help control plant growth. If the right balance of flora and fish is achieved, a natural filtration system would exist. This would eliminate the need for a mechanical pond filter. Filters can contribute to keeping the algae level down to a minimum. However, a natural habitat for wildlife can be achieved with low maintenance and high rewards. Read some fantastic information regarding building a natural Garden Pond
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