Can I make a natural pond in my yard?
A natural pond is an excellent, easy way to create a wildlife habitat in your own backyard while building a peaceful place to hang out. By following these steps, you can create a natural, low-maintenance pond in your backyard without the need for filters or pumps.
How deep should be a pond?
As a general rule of thumb, a pond should be 60cm (2ft) deep if you want plants and fish in it. Water that’s too shallow is vulnerable to evaporating in warm weather and freezing in winter.
Is a garden pond a good idea?
A garden pond is a true wildlife magnet, providing homes, breeding grounds, bathing spots, food and a watering hole for all manner of creatures including birds, frogs, toads, newts and insects.
Can I just dig a hole for a pond?
Depending on where the rock layer is found, the pond may need to be built completely or halfway above grade. The deeper you can dig, the better the pond will look. It’s tough to make a pond look natural when it’s sitting 18 inches above the surrounding soil.
Do ponds need a pump?
In most cases, you cannot have a backyard pond without a pump. You’ll need a pump to keep your pond’s water flowing, properly oxygenated and clean of algae and unwanted bacteria. Pumps are especially necessary in ponds that contain fish such as koi and goldfish.
Is a pond better in sun or shade?
It’s generally advisable to build a pond in a sunny spot. You can, however, site a pond in an area that is in shade for part of the day, or sits in dappled shade. It’s not a good idea to put a pond in a very shady area, as it will become stagnant – the plants that supply oxygen to the water will need some sunlight.
Do I need a bottom drain in my pond?
Bottom drains are a must for a successful koi pond. To maintain proper water quality you need to get the fish waste into the filter so it can be removed from the system. Without a bottom drain, the best filter in the world cannot do it’s job properly. Some ponds may require several bottom drains.
How deep does a pond have to be to not freeze?
Be sure your pond has areas that are deep enough so it does not freeze to the bottom. Generally 18 inches depth is sufficient, but ponds in extremely cold regions of the country should have areas 30 inches deep or deeper. Use a pond de-icer to keep an area of the pond ice-free to allow toxic gases to escape.
Do ponds attract rats?
Ponds are amazing and beautiful places. They attract all kinds of wildlife, but that also includes unwanted pests. Ponds often become a major source of food and fresh water for both rats and mice. Rats are very good swimmers and will feast on everything edible in your pond including any fish you might have.
What are the disadvantages of a pond?
Maintenance. A major disadvantage of a backyard pond is the significant maintenance it requires. A pond requires constant cleanup to ensure that plant debris from nearby trees and shrubs doesn’t contaminate the pond water.
Are garden ponds hard to maintain?
As with any part of the garden, a pond will need regular maintenance to keep plants in check, especially as pond plants can be vigorous growers. Without a pump and filtration system, you will need the correct balance of plants to keep your water clean and clear.
How do you keep a pond full of water?
Groundwater can help fill a pond, but in most places, this isn’t usually enough to completely fill a pond, which means it will need to be supplemented with something else. Natural springs, if available, are an ideal source of water. Nicely flowing springs will keep the pond full of a continuous flow of clear water.
How can I seal my pond naturally?
A leaky pond which contains water can also be sealed by pouring a slurry of bentonite, or spreading granular bentonite over the surface of the pond. This technique is usually not as successful as applying bentonite to the dry pond bottom because it is difficult to achieve an even application of the material.
Does a waterfall oxygenate a pond?
So, a waterfall will aerate a pond. But the aeration is limited mainly to the nearby surface layers of the water. Adding a submersible aerator is an effective way to provide aeration throughout your pond. It’ll aerate from the bottom up, not just across the water surface.
How close should a pond be to a house?
Setting a pond closer than the recommended or regulated limits is likely to result in damage when the water overtops the banks. Even if you’re not working with any specific guidelines from your zoning department or permit office, consider leaving a barrier of at least 50 to 100 feet between your home and a small pond.
Does a garden pond need planning permission?
Even if your proposed pond will be small and shallow, the excavation of a pond may be defined as an engineering operation which may require planning permission. Its always best to check with your local planning authority before hand.
Do ponds need substrate?
A layer of pond substrate on the bottom of the pond will be the basis for a stable pond environment. The micro-organisms which will take care of clear pond water need some subsoil to adhere to. The porous rock on the pond bottom offers space to these useful bacteria.
Are fish OK in a frozen pond?
If your pond only freezes over for a day or two, your fish should be fine, but if the entire pond surface is frozen for more than a few days (or even weeks), you’ll need to take measures to break the ice. That being said, even a small opening in the ice can be enough to allow CO2 and waste to escape.
Should I cover my pond in winter?
Cover your Pond: You will want to keep your pond as clean as possible over these cold Fall and Winter months. Many ask; ‘Should I cover my pond in winter?’ Our answer, YES.
Should I drain my pond in winter?
The short answer is no. There’s no reason to drain the water, and more than likely it will fill up with rain and snow during the winter anyway. What is this? So, as long as you take the proper steps below for winterizing your pond, there’s no reason to drain the water in the fall.
