Ponds in any setting whether it is in a large park or a back garden add life to a landscape. They are interesting, attractive and add value to any property. Ponds add variety to the environment simply by being affected by the weather. Hot sun, rain showers, snow and wind all create different pondscapes for more enjoyment. Even at night ponds add interest and intrigue to a garden with the right lighting.
Garden fish ponds and water gardens are popular landscape improvements. They attract wildlife such as birds, frogs and butterflies, and provide a peaceful place to relax. The variety of products on the market today makes installation easy and affordable. There is a type of pond liner for every application. The biggest error in pond design is making it too small. A good rule of thumb is to make to make the pond 30% larger than what is envisioned.
There are a huge variety of plants to choose from for the garden pond nowadays, coming in practically every shape and size you could ever want. When buying try to think about the overall shape and form you wish to create in and around the water. Ideally have tall marginal plants around the back and sides, with perhaps a bog garden area for amphibians and other wildlife.
There are lots of diseases that may affect pond fish. The key with any disease outbreak is correct and early diagnosis and the swift administration of the appropriate remedy. Even just a day or two of an undiagnosed outbreak can be disastrous, particularly with the more virulent strains of whitespot seen in recent years.
A pond can really add something special to your garden. They are relatively easy to design and build yourself, but many people worry about doing a garden pond on their own. A professional can be quite expensive, though, so it’s often best to do it yourself. If you plan carefully and execute your plan in whatever spare time you have, you will be surprised by what you can achieve.
The first thing you need to consider is the location of your new garden pond. The ideal location would be in shade or semi-shade for at least half the day, in an area that will not recieve excessive runoff ie. the bottom of a slope and is close to power & water supplies. The next decision is shape & size. A kidney shape is very popular or a squashed figure of eight. Try to keep your shape simple and elegant, complex small coves and inlets tend to look a bit rubbish when all is said and done.
Which Pond Filter Should I Buy?
There are several different types of garden pond filter on the market, varying widely in price and individual suitability. They all however, are designed to be the ideal residence and breeding ground of billions of bacteria, good bacteria! All these bacterial colonies need is a plentiful supply of Fish waste and oxygen.
Their are many different types of pond pump, but the type and size of the pump that you will need really depends on the size of your pond, the type of filter you choose and what water features you wish to run in addition. Garden pond pumps come in all shapes and sizes and there will be several to choose from that meet your requirements. I have always used the Blagdon Amphibious range, one P9000 ran continuously for ten years before it needed a new impellor! Take some time, think about what your dream water feature would be.
Purchasing your first fish is a very exciting time after all the hard work of building your new garden pond, but there are a few things you need to bear in mind. Try to buy from local aquatic outlets, this will minimize the fishes transport time and the water quality they are used to will be very similar or the same as yours. Look for alert fish that are lively with intact, erect fins and clear eyes.
All wildlife oriented natural garden ponds should have at least one side gently sloping up and out of the water creating a ‘beach’ effect. This is essential for small animals, allowing them easy and natural access. Its also an ideal damp ground area where bog plants and insects will thrive. Areas of direct sunlight should be avoided, you could have problems with green water & temperature fluctuations. Semi-shade is best for all.
