Garden pond 1×1
Water has always been an essential part of shaping our landscapes, whether in the form of natural rivers and lakes or man-made water features such as garden ponds. Creating a small garden pond in your own garden is not only an aesthetic experience, but also an opportunity to get closer to nature and the wildlife around you. Creating aquatic habitats helps to increase biodiversity while providing a peaceful resting place for both us and the animals in the garden.
A living water feature is an incredible way to enhance the ambience of a garden and can be not only eye-catching but also ecologically beneficial. Don't think that the pond is just for the privileged. Anyone can make one if they have 6 square metres of space. Let's see what the secret to a harmonious garden pond is!
Making a garden pond - Where to put it?
It is not only fortunate, but also practical, if the small pond is not in the garden, but rather is located in the catchment area, i.e. at its lowest point. All the more so because its appearance is closer to nature. Its water and its wildlife are not favoured by the hot sun or deep shade, so the best place for a pond is in a part of the garden with shrubs and trees that provide at least partial shade. Since organic matter - grass clippings, fallen leaves - can pollute the water, the pond should never be placed under a tree that is littered with leaves.
Making a garden pond - Can be a pool or a liner
It is easiest to buy a prefabricated plastic pool, these can be found in larger DIY stores and garden centres.
But the shape of the pond we can design it ourselves, but in this case you should also lay a so-called geotextile sheet under the liner to prevent the roots from breaking through the pond bottom. If you choose a ready-made pond, compact the soil around it gradually during installation to prevent the body from cracking under the sudden load of filling with water.
Adjust the balance of the lake!
Some plants clean the root zone, while others clean the water surface with their leaves. According to experts, with the right type and quantity of plants 1/3 of the water surface is covered by green. If we can maintain this ratio, the lake's biota can be brought into balance. Such lakes self-sustainers, self-cleaners, do not require regular cleaning.
However, for very small lakes, for example, a aquarium water circulator we can help nature to work, speed up the purification process. In this case, we don't have to worry about algae overgrowth and oxygen deficiency. However. it is worth cleaning the water with a dense net every two months from fallen petals, leaves and other plant parts. This regularity is perfectly sufficient for a well-functioning pond. Every three years, drain, sort and refresh the vegetation.
Once the location of the pond has been finalised, let's calculate that the deepest point of the pond must be 1 metre, because many aquatic plants, such as water lilies and water lilies, require it.
Design of stairs
For garden ponds, we need a total of four steps: 70, 50, 20 centimetres deep in the bed and on the lake shore. Each step represents its own microcosm, where different aquatic plants thrive. Place interestingly shaped stones and pebbles on the ground level, and plant torch lilies, lilies of the valley, and mint for a lakeside atmosphere. Water lilies, water lilies and water lilies should be sink to the bottom of the lake in clay pots. The pot holds the soil ball and plant together and is practical because its weight keeps it stable in place. Plants on the stairs should be bedded in planting baskets.
Tavi plant ABC
What plants are suitable for garden ponds?
- 20 cm water depth: dwarf ragweed, Japanese iszalagiris, iris, frog lily, marsh marigold, mermaid flower.
- 50 cm water depth: arrowgrass, flowering marigold, water bridge keeper.
- 70 cm water depth: water moss, water buttercup, frog lily, pond lily.
The frog is not the enemy
We are happy even with the fish we have already stocked, and even with the birds that come to drink the water and the hedgehogs that roost at night. The surface of the water attracts ornamental butterflies, and soon dragonflies will appear. In fact, we have to put up with pesky mosquitoes in return, but there are some home remedies to keep them at bay.
Let's do the olive trick! Before the mosquito larvae hatch, pour half a decilitre of olive oil on the surface of the pond. This will not harm the pond, the oil will just form a thin layer on top of the water and will later break down and enter the natural cycle. At the same time, it prevents larvae from hatching and mosquitoes from multiplying en masse. But frogs are strictly forbidden to be killed, even tadpoles are protected. You can prevent frog invasions by blocking their migration routes with small fences so they can't move into your pond.
Take care of your own animals
If you have a cat or dog in the family, stretch out a specially designed, almost invisible net under the water in the pond bed. This will not hinder the growth of plants, but will keep even a small child afloat.
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