A pond is more than just a pool of water. It is a self-sustaining ecosystem that provides food, shelter, and safety for wildlife.
Select a spot that gets some sunlight and partial shade. Avoid low spots in the yard, as they collect nutrient-rich runoff that leads to gross water quality.
Create a Natural Look
A natural pond looks beautiful and works well for wildlife. It takes longer to fill, but the lack of chlorine in the water makes it safer for frogs and other creatures.
Clay is more environmentally friendly than synthetic liners, mainly if you can’t transport it long distances. It also requires less maintenance.
When digging your pond, create ledges for plants to grow in. This helps to prevent single-cell algae from taking over your water. Different bacteria will eat the algae and turn it into nitrates, which will help to keep your pond clean.
Consider the Environment
Many customers want to make their homes greener by using eco-friendly products, so they look for ways to save water, energy, and other natural resources. Ponds closed systems that prioritize water conservation perfectly fit these eco-friendly goals.
A pond’s most significant environmental impact comes from its lining materials. However, this can be minimized by mapping out where a pond will go so it doesn’t interfere with gas lines or home utilities.
Maintaining buffers along all areas through which water must flow helps to slow down the water, filter it, and remove phosphorus (which causes excessive algae growth). This also prevents erosion.
Build a Waterfall or Fountain
Building a waterfall or fountain in your pond helps promote a healthy ecosystem. Running water aerates the water, helping to keep it clear. It also keeps leaves, twigs, and other debris from settling on the bottom of the pond, which can cause a buildup of muddy sludge.
In addition, the constant flow of water encourages the growth of bacteria that eat the single-cell algae that often plague ponds. These bacteria convert the nitrites that feed the algae into harmless nitrates.
To create a waterfall, begin by placing flat rocks around the perimeter of your pond. These stones will serve as the ledges for your waterfall(s).
Add a Filter
One of the best ways in pond construction is to dig a hole in a wet field or rocky, clay-heavy soil and wait for aquatic plants and animals to colonize it. This method avoids the risk of accidentally introducing invasive alien plant species. It allows the ecosystem’s natural balance to take its course, which also helps reduce algae growth.
A biofilter helps with this by allowing beneficial bacteria to grow within the nooks and crannies of the filter. This helps to keep water clear by reducing excess nutrients.
Add Plants
Plants not only add color, but they also act as a natural filter to reduce algae bloom and help the ecosystem thrive. Carefully selected native plants can support local wildlife that visit your pond.
Planting the pond is best done on a sunny, warm day. To make it easier, use an aquatic basket with latticework sides to plant both marginals for the pond edge and deep water plants like water lilies.
Adding plants as soon as possible will help hide the liner and reduce the need for frequent top-ups of the pond water (algae feed on excess nutrients and sludge). They can also prevent the growth of blanketweed, which can quickly take over a newly filled pond.
Add Fish
Adding fish can help to keep the pond’s ecosystem balanced. They will eat the excess algae, reducing the water’s nutrients. They will also provide natural entertainment for pond owners!
Planting and landscaping the surrounding area of your pond is essential to keeping it healthy. This helps slow down the water, which will filter out contaminants like phosphorus. It also helps lower the water temperature, making it better for aquatic life.
Consider using clay instead of a synthetic liner for a more eco-friendly option. This creates less pollution in the manufacturing process. However, it does require more work and equipment to install.
Add a Skimmer
The terms green, sustainable, and eco-friendly are now used to describe everything from vehicles to food. Ponds are an excellent example of how the principles behind these phrases can be applied to your garden.
A natural pond is an ecosystem that supports a variety of plants and wildlife. It also acts as a carbon sink, sucking up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Digging a naturally-shaped pond will increase biodiversity around it and reduce the amount of soil moved from the site. This will help reduce erosion and the need for fertilizers.
