The Art and Science of Creating the Perfect Pond
Author: Aqua Gardening
Date: 7 September 2021

The Art and Science of Creating the Perfect Pond

A true artist knows how to balance every element of the design and build, from the type of plants and rocks to use, to which species of fish and plant life will work best, to create a harmonious and inviting place of natural beauty.

With our urban areas being rapidly built up, there’s less space for our wildlife and native plant life to thrive, so having a pond or swimming hole in your backyard can create a healthier environment for you, our wildlife and our planet. A backyard pond can help protect entire fish species whose natural ecosystems have been destroyed and support the local flora and fauna by creating a healthy, thriving habitat for countless native animals, plants and aquatic life.

Plus, it can be a great way to educate kids on biodiversity, waterways and the importance of ecosystems.

At Aqua Gardening, we’ve just refurbished our old showroom pond, to show you just how great a well-built pond can look in your own garden. Our original pond was first built in December 2017, with many of our team members getting on board to help us build it, but recently, it had got to a point where it needed a refresh.

"There's so much more to putting in a pond than just digging a hole and filling it with rocks and water. There's a real art to creating a pond or swimming hole in your backyard that blends seamlessly with its natural surrounds."

Working with the team a Ezcapes Landscaping, we removed the existing rocks, rubber membrane liner, plants and fish, and then reshaped the pond’s footprint, adding new rocks, fish and vegetation to create a whole new look.

For anyone thinking about adding a pond to their backyard, a great place to start is connecting with an expert who will help you set up a successful pond environment.

The location of your pond is one of the most important decisions to make, so getting an expert opinion is vital to helping you choose a spot that won’t flood, while ensuring that your plants, fish and wildlife are getting the right amount of sunlight.

Once you’ve found the perfect spot, the base of the pond is dug out to the size and shape you want, and a rubber membrane sheet is cut to fit.

The next step is choosing the right rocks. As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to match your pond rocks to the existing tones in your yard and house, to allow the pond to complement and harmonise with your existing landscape.

Another factor to consider when choosing your rocks is, how they will interact with the pond’s aquatic life and plant life.

As well as small ponds for fish, you can create much larger ponds that look exactly like the sort of swimming hole you’d find in nature, right in your backyard. Imagine coming home from a long day at work and taking a dip in your own slice of paradise?

There are so many benefits to having a pond. They’re a perfect space to relax and escape the daily grind, they can add a positive vibe to your yard, and they can create new habitats for local wildlife.

And your dogs will thank you! Did you know that dogs generally prefer to drink from ponds rather than their water bowls, as the water is richer in nutrients, better for their gut bacteria, and tastes much better than the chlorinated stuff out of the tap?

A pond can also be extremely useful for anyone who wants to grow their own fresh fruit and veggies, as the nutrient-rich pond water can be hugely beneficial when used to water your plants.

Ponds can be filtered or unfiltered, depending on whether you plan to use it for swimming, or as a marine and wildlife habitat. The system filters the water through the pond’s gravel and, combined with the beneficial bacteria that live in the pond, treats the water for nasties, and makes it clean and healthy. It’s exactly how filtration happens in natural waterways, so there’s no need for any chemicals, and, once the water has been filtered, it’s usually drinkable.

There’s no end to what you can achieve by adding a pond or swimming hole to your home. Turn your backyard into a natural paradise, a place where the local wildlife can enjoy a peaceful and healthy habitat, and you and your family can spend time together, unwinding and getting back in touch with nature. Browse our many options for Natural Ponds or Pondless Waterfalls online here now.

Do you have more questions? Our experienced and friendly customer service team can help you get started with expert advice on how to go about sizing and getting your dream pond built.