Why do you want to build a pond?

Is it for fish, wildlife, aquatic plants or as a focal point?

The site and style of your pond

  • Why you want a pond in your garden will influence the style of your pond and its position within the garden
  • A wildlife pond will be a more informal shape and further down the garden in a quiet area
  • A fish pond likely to be a more formal shaped pond, possibly raised up not dug down, and nearer the house.
  • Swimming ponds give a more hands on approach to nature, allowing you to join the wildlife in the water habitat you have created.

Considerations:

  • 1. Safety – A raised pond may be safer for children or give an edge for an elderly person to sit on or use whilst working.
    Safety of children is paramount when dealing with water – you can purchase an ornate pond cover made in steel that will allow plant growth beneath. See Creative pond covers
  • 2. Electricity – for pumps, filters, waterfalls or fountains. The supply will need to be planned in if you want these features and fitted by a registered electrician.
  • 3. The position of underground services – sewers, pipes, cables should be found and avoided!
  • 4. Shade – The pond should not be in a part of the garden in the shade from trees to avoid leaf fall into the water. Choose a spot with about 6 hours sunshine a day if you want waterlilies and Iris to flower but a pond in part shade from a building allows the water to remain cooler and the pond will be less likely to have algae bloom. The shaded pond can be planted with foliage interest plants – structural shaped foliage and seed heads. 

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