Have you ever passed a stunning garden pond and imagined what it would be like to have one in your own back yard? When done properly, water gardens add a whole new wonderful layer of color, texture – and even sound – to the garden. Unfortunately, to many home gardeners, they can be a bit intimidating.
Water gardens add another layer of beauty and texture to any landscape.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
But fear the water garden no more! Constructing a small garden pond with the proper specialized plants and equipment is easier than you might think. (For starters, there are many kits available to help you.)
The main consideration for installing a water garden is that the pond liner be completely watertight and large enough to hold at least 25 gallons of water. Most commercial preformed liners satisfy this requirement, so it shouldn’t be much of a worry. It’s also recommended that a liner be at least 30 inches deep – something to keep in mind when making your product selections.
If the unique plants grown in a water garden make you nervous, don’t be afraid – they’re not as difficult to nurture as they may seem. While it’s true that aquatic and marsh plants like cattails, bulrushes and water lilies grow in a different environment than the rest of your garden plants, you just need to give them what they need, and they’ll be happy. It’s really not all that different from experimenting with land-dwelling plants.
Just remember, most water garden plants should be set in specially formulated aquatic soil (available wherever you buy your plants). The submersible pots should also be topdressed with a layer of washed gravel to filter the water and help control its flow into the pots. The gravel also adds some weight to keep the plants submerged in the pond – though many plants also need additional weighting.
It’s best to plant aquatics like water lilies (a blooming perennial) in late spring. This allows their broad leaves to grow and cover most of the water’s surface, protecting their roots from the sun’s heat and limiting the spread of water algae (which is less likely to grow when plant leaves block the water from excessive sunlight). Don’t forget other plants – like cattails, some grasses and trailers such as parrot feather. These beauties can add dimension, texture and unique colors to your water garden, and they’re fairly easy to maintain. Generally, water plants thrive in partial sun; they should be kept clear of falling leaves and other debris from overhead foliage.
Yes, building a healthy garden pond requires a bit more skill than potting a petunia. But when done properly, the effort is well-worth it and boasts major paybacks in satisfaction. Need a little installation guidance? The following pictures and captions show the steps to take when installing a simple pond garden with a rigid preformed liner. Once your pond is in place, partially filled, and the filter has cleared the water, position your potted plants gently and slowly into the pond. Add additional water as required to bring it to within 1-2 inches from the top of the liner. (If you plan to add fish, ask for expert advice before introducing them to your water garden. You’ll want to make sure it’s large enough to accommodate fish, and you’ll likely need to condition the water properly.)
Garden ponds provide an excellent focal point for paths and seating areas, as well as provide a calming retreat, complete with soothing sounds. Enjoy your new gardening adventure!
Build a Water Garden Using a Preformed Liner
Preformed Liner Water Garden - Step 1
Select a preformed plastic pond liner (available in a variety of popular shapes). Trace the outline of the liner on the ground where you’ll install it. Dig and level a hole matching the outline, as well as the liner’s shelves, but make it about 4 inches deeper than its bottom base. Pour in builder’s sand, then level and tamp it firm until the liner exactly fits the hole and rests on the sand base. The liner’s lip should be flush with the level excavated area.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Preformed Liner Water Garden - Step 2
Insert the preformed liner into the hole. Check level across the length and breadth of the liner. To adjust, press down firmly in slightly high points, or add and remove sand as required. (This important step is required to avoid overflows and leakage once you fill the pond with water.)
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Preformed Liner Water Garden - Step 3
Check the level at right angles to the first direction. When the liner is perfectly level, backfill the hole around the sides and rim. Avoid disturbing the liner’s position and level. (If the feature is large, use a long straightedge to span the feature’s sides and place the level on top.)
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Preformed Liner Water Garden - Step 4
Tamp the final layer of soil surrounding the pond until it’s compacted and firm. Maintain an even level along the perimeter.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Preformed Liner Water Garden - Step 5
Using a garden hose, fill the liner with water to bed it securely in the sand. (Use a sump pump to remove any sediment.) Frame the top edge of the basin with coping stones of river rock or other stone. (They will protect it from UV-rich sunlight.) Dry-stack the stones in a double-height row to create the desired appearance.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Preformed Liner Water Garden - Step 6
Insert an aquatic filter and install a submersible recirculating pump to aerate and keep the water fresh. (Growing algae and decaying organic matter may cloud the pond’s water and prevent the filter from doing its job. If desired, installing a spray fountainhead on the pump will add oxygen to the water and help control the algae.) Hide or bury the filter’s supply-line hose beneath the stonework.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Preformed Liner Water Garden - Step 7
Plant aquatic plants in submersible pots or baskets in a mix of potting soil and sand, topped with a 1-inch layer of coarse pea gravel. Weight the pots and settle them slowly into the pond.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Preformed Liner Water Garden - Step 8
Enjoy the tranquil sound and beauty that only a water garden can provide!
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
