Tuesday, 27 October 2009

Outdoor Pond - Tips For Successful Backyard Ponds

By Michael Wezsky

If you are thinking of improving your backyard then an outdoor pond is a great addition, it's a place to be close to nature and relax, a place where you can rest and recharge your batteries. No wonder more and more gardeners are adding nice backyard ponds to their properties. The 7 tips below will help you build and maintain a great outdoor pond.

1. Inspiration from books, magazines and the Internet. You can find inspiring pond photo books in your local library or bookstore; also websites like flickr.com and youtube.com can be researched for images, tutorials and tips.

2. Inspiration is all over the place. Once you start looking you will find ponds and water features everywhere; parks and public buildings just to name a few. Take pictures of things you like and dislike, so later on, when designing, you can easily refer to.

3. Location, location, Location. Keep in mind that once built, it's going to be very hard to move a pond. Think of questions like: Do you want your pond close to your house or at an edge of your backyard? Will most of that tree leaves fall into your pond? Do you want the pond to be seen from a specific window or you prefer it as a surprise corner of your garden?

4. Choose your outdoor pond style. If you would like to match the architecture of your house then a formal pond is probably your choice. Formal pond examples can be found in palaces and monuments both old and new. If you are looking for something more natural that will blend with the environment and your garden, then informal ponds are your choice. Informal ponds will imitate nature's rivers and lakes with sand shores and lots of vegetation. The most important issue here is to keep your pond in harmony with your backyard design.

5. Additional design tips. Waterfalls and other features can be added to your pond but take its style into consideration. What kind of fish will you introduce and what are their needs? Does your ground allow easy digging for a below the ground pond or maybe you need to build it above the ground with a nice brick or stone wall?

6. Don't let you budget out of control. An unfinished pond project is not the best view in our backyard. When making your plans to build a pond account all materials to complete it as well as payment for professional help if needed. One option to cut building costs and efforts is the use of pre-made pond kits that can be found on the web or in local stores.

7. Safety first. Keep your pond safe for children, pets and animals you host in it. Your safety checklist should include stable surfaces and waterproof electric installations. To avoid water leakage keep your pond level and use a good liner to avoid holes in your pond. Don't forget constant maintenance and cleaning to keep you pond clean and enjoyable.

Pond building is a complex hobby that can become very enjoyable if you take your time to plan and maintain it. Get your family involved in it from the very beginning making it a project enjoyed by everyone in your household.

About the Author:

No comments:

Post a Comment