Decorative ponds at the dacha. Decorating an artificial pond with your own hands How to arrange a pond in your country house

Many gardeners dream of at least a small pond in their garden, but not all of them are able to decide to implement their idea. This is due to the fact that the majority considers the very idea of ​​arranging a reservoir unrealistic or, at a minimum, requiring serious financial investments.

However, in fact, there is nothing particularly difficult about this. And we will try to convince you by telling you in this article what kinds of garden ponds there are and how they can be built quickly and without much expense.

general information

First, let's talk in more detail about what kind of reservoirs exist and which of them are quite realistic to equip yourself. It is no secret that, for example, a swimming pool will not only require serious financial resources and a large garden area, but also mandatory compliance with certain sanitary and hygienic conditions.

But decorative ponds will require the creation of a special ecosystem that will prevent rapid turbidity of the water and provide excellent aesthetic characteristics.

Variety of styles

An artificial pond in the garden is most often constructed in two styles.

The classic style assumes the correct form:

• round;
• square;
• rectangular, etc.

This type is ideal for so-called classic landscapes.

Note.
To emphasize strict angles and straight lines, it is recommended to edge the pond ceramic tiles or porcelain stoneware.
This will add even more rigor to an orderly style, making it more symmetrical.

The second style is landscape, which can have absolutely any shape and outline of the coastline. Ideal for garden plots with any layout.

To give even more naturalness, when arranging it is recommended to do the following:

• gentle slope;
• plant moisture-loving plants;
• Place stones on the bottom (preferably without sharp edges).

By the way, regarding moisture-loving plants, which can be located, depending on the species, both in the water and on the shore, the following are ideal:

• water lilies;
• fern;
• day-lily;
• loosestrife and others like them.

Selecting a location

The overall atmosphere in the garden depends on the correct location for the pond.

Therefore, when selecting a site, consider the following requirements:

• optimal level of illumination– for example, in the first half of the day there is sun, and in the second half there is light shadow;
• Free access;
• availability of space for arranging the area around it and planting plants.

It is also important to avoid trees nearby because:

• excess shade will lead to rapid ponding of the pond;
• the root system, growing, damages the sides;
• in the fall, falling leaves will constantly clog the water.

Ideal sizes

The size of the pond must strictly correspond to the size of your site:

• large body of water small garden it will look bulky, visually suppressing other elements - bushes, trees, lamps, etc.;
• too small ones over a large area will simply get lost and look like an out of place puddle.

Note. The created lake should correspond to the size of the garden approximately one to ten.
This way you will be able to create a pond that fits perfectly into your garden plot.

Variety of decorative designs

Choosing a design is not a problem - you can buy it in specialized garden supply stores, fortunately the price is not so high. Or found in nature.

So, the following details will look most impressive:

• natural stones;
• natural stones;
• vegetation;
• fountains;
• waterfalls.

Note. If the depth of the lake exceeds fifty centimeters, then it is recommended to place the plants on the bottom in pots.
The pots need to be filled with gravel mixed with sand.
So the plants will not only become decoration, but will also provide water purification.

Pond made of moisture-resistant film

This section presents detailed instructions, which tells how to make a pond in the garden with your own hands, using a special film that can withstand for many years Negative influence high humidity. Strictly follow the detailed sequence of actions.

At the initial stage, it is necessary to make at least a schematic plan, which will indicate:

• lake location;
• its depth and width;
• possible presence of “shelves” for installing plants;

Advice!
Don't neglect creating a plan.
This way you can plan for everything and avoid alterations, both during construction and after its completion.
In addition, this will allow you to calculate in advance the required amount of certain building materials.

The next stage involves creating markings for the foundation pit - how exactly you do it does not matter, the main thing is to outline the outline and make sure that the shores of the future lake are located at the same level.

Excavation work must be carried out in the following sequence:

• dig the coastal layer;
• mark the line for the next depth;
• select the second layer of earth;
• again lay the lines for the deepest part of the lake;
• remove the soil.

This way you can make a gentle slope into a pond or a kind of shelves for installing plants.

Note. To prepare a pit, it is best to seek help from professionals or use the services of an excavator.
If you decide to save money, be prepared to do some hard work.
Although, if the lake is small, then its pit can be dug in a few hours.

Many people have a question - what to do with the land?

There are several options to solve the problem:

• distributing it throughout the site for a general rise in the level of the garden;
• carry out the construction of an alpine slide;
• create beds or flower beds.

The next stage is measuring the depth of the pit. Use a regular cord and add at least fifty centimeters to the resulting depth for allowances. Naturally, you need to measure both in width and length - this is necessary in order to purchase the film of the right size.

By the way, you need to be as careful as possible with the film so as not to damage it, including possible foreign objects that may be at the bottom of the pit:

• stones;
• roots, etc.

To do this, you must first lay an additional layer of:

• geotextiles;
• roofing felt;
• or old linoleum.

You can also simply make a bed of good, clean sand and compact it thoroughly.

Before laying the film along the edges of the pit, at a short distance from it - a distance of a few centimeters is enough - dig a trench. You will place the edges of the film into it. Straighten it to avoid lumps, compression and other defects.

Advice. It is recommended to install the film on a warm, sunny day.
This way the film will warm up and become more elastic and pliable; it will easily bend around all the edges and protrusions of the pit and other obstacles that may be present at the bottom.

To securely fix the edges of the film in the trench, fill it with crushed stone. Now you can begin arranging the edge of the pond.

First of all, it needs to be strengthened - use for this:

• stone blocks;
• plastic pipes - they should be attached to installed wooden pegs.

Such strengthening is necessary in order to prevent the soil under the film from collapsing.

To decorate the edges, as well as to hide the crushed stone bedding that holds the edges of the film, use a variety of decorating materials:

• natural stone;
• porcelain stoneware;
• ordinary boulders.

The next stage is the construction of the pit:

• Place crushed stone and boulders on the bottom;
• prepare pots for plants;
• place them along the edges of the pit.

Now you can pour water into the prepared pond. If you have the opportunity to constantly replenish the amount of water, then arrange a kind of gravity flow - this will ensure the circulation of water and prevent it from stagnation.

To do this you need:

• the source of the stream needs to be slightly raised so that it is above the level of the pond;
• A regular pump will help supply water to the source;
• To make the stream look attractive and not spoil the overall picture, be sure to decorate it - natural stones and small plants are suitable for these purposes.

That's all. The pond is ready.

Now take care of it:

• remove dirt promptly;
• use preventative cleaning and disinfection products;
• fight algae;
• Don’t forget to remove the plants in winter.

How to avoid mistakes

To make a man-made lake look as attractive as possible, the following is not recommended:

• to arrange the edges, use stones of strictly the same diameter;
• use only large stones for the coastal zone;
• create deep pits with steep walls.

Before you try to realize your dream, think carefully about everything and evaluate your financial and labor capabilities. Be sure to develop a clear plan that will include all the details - this will allow you to be guaranteed to avoid possible mistakes.

In conclusion

A small pond will be an excellent decoration for the garden, although it can also be used as a functional element in landscaping the local area. We have brought you a simple and quick method creating a reservoir, and the additional video in this article will help you better understand all the above information.

Relaxing in the country is a favorite pastime for many people. The only thing that can compete with him is a trip to the shore of a reservoir. By installing an artificial pond in your dacha, you can get an excellent place to get rid of fatigue and relaxation. Moreover, building an artificial pond with your own hands will not be difficult; you just need a little perseverance and imagination.

Types of reservoirs

Depending on what functionality you plan to provide to the pond you have built, artificial reservoirs can be divided into several categories.

Pool

This category includes artificial reservoirs of significant size. Such a pond, built at the dacha with your own hands, as in the photo, has not only decorative properties, but also allows you to freshen up, or even swim, without leaving the site.

Pond with fish

A pond for breeding fish is suitable not only for fishing enthusiasts. Your family members, especially children, will enjoy spending time at the lake, watching the bright and beautiful fish.

Mini pond in the country

A small pond that is an element of the landscape composition. Performs exclusively decorative functions and does not involve placing a recreation area around it.

Decorative pond in the garden

A garden pond, built with your own hands, which is the central place of the recreation area. The combination of sufficient size and beautiful design will not only please the eyes, but will also give pleasant coolness on a hot day.

Style

Having decided on the functionality of the reservoir, it is worth moving on to choosing the style in which it will be executed. decorative pond in the country. There are two main options.

1. Formal (regular) pond. An artificial reservoir of strict geometric shape. Ideal if you want to emphasize the geometric shapes of a building or the site itself. Creates a sense of order, looks appropriate next to geometric the right flower beds, lawns and other decorative elements on the site.
2. Landscape pond at the dacha. It is carried out in any form and fits very easily into the surrounding landscape. This option fits any style and looks as natural as possible. Its construction requires significantly less effort than equipping a geometric reservoir.

Selecting a location

Great importance when organizing a pond at the dacha with your own hands, as in the photo in the article, it has the terrain. On flat areas you can place a pond in a garden of any style and size. Uneven areas create more difficulties when deciding how to make an artificial pond, but at the same time they can serve as natural cascades and elevations for waterfalls.

It is necessary to build a pond with a fountain at the dacha with your own hands in an open area so that the pond is clearly visible from every corner of the dacha. The depth of groundwater, the qualitative composition of the soil can affect the permissible depth of the reservoir, as well as the complexity of work and use additional materials. When thinking about how to build a pond at your dacha with your own hands, in addition to the terrain, you should take into account a number of others important points.

1. Compatibility with the environment. A mini pond at the dacha, visible from all sides, should be combined with buildings and green spaces on the site.
2. Illumination of the area. It is preferable to choose the most shaded place on the site for the location of the reservoir. This will prevent increased water evaporation. In addition, with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, there is a high probability of active development of microorganisms in the water, which will negatively affect the aesthetic component.
3. Environment. Do not overuse vegetation near an artificial pond. Long and thick roots big trees Over time, they can lead to damage to the insulating layer, which in turn will require repairs and putting the reservoir in order. Leaves falling into the water from tree branches located too close to the pond can cause siltation and will require regular cleaning. On clear days, nearby trees or buildings will be reflected on the surface of the water. Therefore, you should worry about a beautiful exterior in advance so that your gaze does not fall on a rickety shed or a dry fallen tree.
4. Expansion of the reservoir. In the future, you may think about the need to increase the area of ​​the reservoir, additional functional and decorative elements. Therefore, it is worthwhile to provide in advance a place for a possible expansion of the reservoir at the dacha with your own hands.
5. Electrification. If you are planning to install lighting next to or directly in a pond, or placing an electric fountain or other movable structures, you should worry about laying all the necessary electrical wiring in advance. It is best to place wires underground, protecting them with durable boxes or corrugation.

Size selection

Having chosen a place on the site that will occupy a pond in the garden, you should decide on the size of the future reservoir. Landscape design specialists do not give clear recommendations in this regard. However, a decorative pond built with your own hands on a summer cottage should not occupy more than 8-10% of the area of ​​the plot, because more large design will look like a bulky and alien object.

The depth of the pond in the garden depends on the purposes for which it is created, as well as on the capabilities of the owner, who equips the pond with his own hands on the site. The photos below will help you make your choice.

Selection of materials

When arranging ponds on your summer cottage with your own hands, you should approach the choice of material with the utmost care. There are many options for what material is best to use to build a small pond in your dacha with your own hands.

The photos in the article and the list below highlight the following main categories.

Concrete pond

A capital structure, which is the most expensive option for arranging a pond in a country house. The advantages of using this material include increased strength and durability of use.

Plastic container

Manufactured industrially the form is made of high-strength plastic, allowing you to solve the question in the shortest possible time: how to make a pond at the dacha with your own hands. Various shapes and dimensions allow you to choose an option suitable for the most demanding owner.

PVC film or polyethylene film

The use of these materials makes it possible to create a garden pond with your own hands of absolutely any shape. The disadvantages of such a material include low resistance to external influences and a short service life

Butyl rubber membrane

A do-it-yourself garden pond made from such a film will please the eye longer than the decorative pond in the photo below made of polyethylene or PVC. When planning how to make a pond on your site with your own hands, it is worth considering that the service life of the membrane reaches 50 years, and the increased resistance of butyl rubber to severe frosts makes it a very advantageous material.

To save money, you can use various available materials. Old bath, basin or car tire for a mini pond - these and other “folk” remedies are used to create ponds in the country. Our photo gallery will suggest other original ideas.

Necessary equipment

Depending on the functionality of the reservoir and the material from which it will be made, the following tools may be required during the creation process: a shovel, a cart for transporting excess soil, a level, pegs and a strong cord for marking, as well as a hose for watering. This set of tools will be enough to place mini ponds in your dacha with your own hands, as in the photo above. If the planned pond in the garden is of significant size, it is worth assessing the feasibility of using construction equipment. For a pond intended for fish breeding or designed for a particularly long service life, installation of additional equipment:

1. An aerator that saturates the water with oxygen necessary for fish.
2. Pump for filling or draining water.
3. Cleaning filter.
4. A device for sterilizing water and removing dead algae.

Details of creating a pond from film

PVC film thanks to its performance qualities and relatively low cost, it is one of the most popular materials for pond construction. In addition, in order to make a pond with your own hands from PVC film, no special skills or special knowledge are required.

To equip reservoirs, you should not use films with a thickness of less than 0.5 mm, and if you plan to create a particularly deep reservoir, it is better to take a film with the maximum available thickness.

The use of multi-colored film allows you to achieve different optical effects: black will make the bottom of the reservoir mirror-like, and it will clearly reflect standing nearby trees and buildings, a brown film is perfect for simulating a soil bottom, and a film of light blue or cream tones will make the reservoir as transparent as possible, which will allow you to conveniently observe the movement of fish.

The selected film should be cut so that it covers the bottom and walls of the reservoir, leaving a margin of up to one meter. The cut pieces must be combined specialized glue or adhesive tape for similar work.

Before digging a pit, you need to carefully consider the size, shape of the bottom and walls of the reservoir. If you plan to create a complex multi-stage design, it is better to first draw on a sheet of paper detailed diagram indicating all sizes.

Having marked the selected area, we begin to dig a hole. It is better to remove soil in the direction from the edges of the future reservoir to the center, gradually going deeper to the required limits. The bottom and walls of the finished pit must be carefully examined for the detection of foreign objects, sharp roots, etc. Any debris found must be removed to prevent damage to the film. We lay the prepared film on the compacted bottom of the pits, fixing it with stones and sprinkling the edges with soil.

Next, you need to strengthen the banks of the pond. For this you can use various materials. For flat banks, a geogrid or polymer grid is suitable; you can also use a regular chain-link mesh. For vertical banks, the use of piles or supports will be required.

You can complete the design of the pond by adding various decorative elements, planting plants and installing underwater or outdoor lighting.

Decoration with plants

When decorating a pond in the garden with plants, you should understand that they are divided into those that are planted on the shore along the edges of the pond, and plants that live directly in the water. The root system of shore plants will additionally strengthen the walls of the pond. When planting plants in a pond in the garden, it is important to keep in mind the speed of their growth, otherwise, after a long absence, there is a risk of finding a pond completely covered with a thick carpet of vegetation.

Decor

In order to decorate a pond in the yard with your own hands, in addition to various plants, beautiful stones and other decorative elements, the use of lighting gives a good effect. The colored glow spreading from under the water will create a wonderful decoration for your pond at night. Additional lighting can also be placed above the water.

You can use various fountains as decor for decorating a pond at your dacha with your own hands, as in the photo in the article. The functioning of the fountains is ensured by the operation of pumps, which can be hidden at the bottom of the pond under the stones. Surface devices are also used. Pumps come in different capacities, which affects the height and intensity of the water jets.

Fish

You can add decorative fish to a pond at your dacha, when choosing which it is important to fully understand the conditions under which they are kept. It is worth buying those types of fish that get along well with each other and do not quarrel.

Pond care

A decorative pond at the dacha requires some care. Planted plants must be protected from the cold or moved to a warm room. During a long absence, the surface of an artificial reservoir at the dacha should be covered with a special mesh to protect it from debris. Leaves and other debris that have fallen into the country pond are caught with a net, and if a large amount of sludge forms, it is necessary to clean the reservoir. The water must be renewed periodically using a garden hose or a regular bucket (if specialized equipment is not available).

Photo gallery

In our photo gallery you will see even more 33 examples beautiful ponds in the country.

How to turn your suburban area into a real paradise? Just. You need to create a beautiful place that pleases the eye. And where the soul rests, there the mood improves and vitality increases.

One of the brightest touches in landscape design can be a decorative pond at the dacha, comfortably located among the greenery.

Despite the fact that most summer cottages are limited in size to the standard six acres, and the owners do not have the opportunity to make a large pond, this is not a reason to deny themselves the pleasure of having an artificial pond on the site. The technical side of the issue will also not become an obstacle if there is a desire and competent instructions, describing step by step how to make a pond with your own hands.

Stage 1 – Idea (types of ponds)

Before you start on a large scale construction works and to build an entire lake with your own hands, you need to think about what purpose the creation of a reservoir on the site serves.

In terms of functionality (goals), four types can be distinguished:

Little pond.

This is a reservoir that is part of the landscape composition. Their purpose is to decorate a corner of the garden and please the eye. Leisure It is not expected near such a pond.

Is a deeper body of water. As a rule, they are decorated with bridges, fountains, and lighting is installed. Such a pond is being built not far from country house, terraces or gazebos, benches, sun loungers and umbrellas (or canopies) are installed nearby. And the pond becomes the center of the recreation area for the inhabitants of a private house.

A personal artificial lake in which fish swim is a dream not only for fishermen. Children, cats and other family members will enjoy watching colorful fish while relaxing in nature.

They are also country ponds that, in addition to their aesthetic function, provide the opportunity to cool off or even swim, depending on the size.

Based on the goal and one’s own capabilities, the location of the pond, its parameters and geometry will be determined.

Stage 2 – Style of a pond at the dacha

A garden pond can be made in two versions with an endless variety of different modifications:

Formal (regular) body of water.

The name successfully reflects the essence of the pond; it is a structure that has a strictly defined shape.

Geometrically correct form pond is more suitable for areas maintained in classic style or in modern, minimalist or hi-tech styles.

Along with rectangular shapes, round, square and broken (symmetrical or asymmetrical) also belong to the formal type of pond.

Landscape pond on the site.

A more popular option among users because it has an irregular coastline, a natural appearance, creates the effect of being close to nature and does not limit the flight of imagination of the creators.

Tip: The outline of the pond is determined by the preferences of the owners, but the more complex the shore line, the harder it is to lay the film.

An important aspect that you need to pay attention to when choosing the style of a reservoir on your site is the terrain. Smooth surface makes it possible to arrange a pond of any configuration. Changes and unevenness require increased attention, but they allow you to create a reservoir with a waterfall or a cascade of ponds. A bridge or an artificial slide will look natural on such a terrain.

You can also raise the pond above ground level yourself. The only difference in the technology of performing the work will be the construction of the foundation, which allows to avoid distortion of the concrete bowl of the artificial lake.

Tip: If you are planning to make a pond with a fountain, give preference to a tall pond.

Stage 3 – Place (location) for the pond

Creating a pond on a property for the sake of a pond is illogical. It is much more pleasant if the pond adds zest, a decorative accent to the color of the landscape of the site. This means you need to place it in a good place. It is the location that will allow you to admire the artificial lake from anywhere.

How to choose the right place for a pond in your country house?

To do this, you need to take into account a number of factors:

• plot size. Directly affects the size of the pond itself and its configuration;

• relief. It also determines the shape of the pond and provides the opportunity to simplify the creation of fountains, waterfalls, or vice versa, achieving a perfectly smooth water surface;

• soil composition and level groundwater. Have a direct impact on the depth of the pond, the complexity of the work and the need for additional materials;

• illumination It is advisable that the pond be located in a shaded area. Exposure to direct sunlight should not exceed 5-6 hours. Otherwise, some of the water from the pond risks evaporating, and biological activity will negate all the beauty of the reservoir. Recommendation: after choosing a place for a pond, observe the solar regime for several days.

Tip: The deeper the pond, the more illuminated the place it can be located.
A pond intended for fish all the more needs thoughtful placement, because in highly heated water the oxygen level decreases.

• visibility. It is better to place the pond so that it can be seen from the window of the house or from the gazebo. Good visibility is especially important for families with children.

• reflection. The pond will only benefit if only clouds or beautiful buildings are reflected on its surface, and not a toilet or greenhouse.

• degree of landscaping. Trees and bushes growing around the pond are certainly a very organic addition. But these are also fallen leaves and branches, which, falling into the water, will pollute its surface and, ultimately, settle to the bottom in the form of silt. In addition, tree roots can damage the waterproofing of the pond.

Tip: you can provide a sufficient amount of greenery near the pond by decorating it with plants in tubs (barrels).

• power supply For those owners who plan to install a fountain on the pond, lighting, etc. must consider in advance the possibility of electrifying this area and yard.

Advice: it is better to supply electricity at the development stage and lay the wires in a protected and durable corrugation underground, and equip the connection points with a hatch for easy access.

• the possibility of expanding the reservoir or creating a recreation area. You need to plan for the future. In both cases, it is important that at least one side of the pond has enough space for possible redevelopment, adding a gazebo, barbecue area, installing sun loungers or a small waterfall.

• compatibility of the pond with other buildings and the general appearance of the site.

Advice: it is better to start building a pond at your dacha with your own hands at the beginning of the warm season - in the spring. This way, there will be time for the device and the pond will have time to fit into the design (“take root”).

Stage 4 – Dimensions of the pond on the site

It cannot be said unequivocally that a large pond is a luxury, and a small one is a budget option or an opportunity to save money. A small pond does not always mean cheap, sometimes even the opposite. Each type has its own advantages. Therefore, let's focus on the key points:

• dimensions. Depends on the location of the pond in the country. There are recommendations on websites regarding how much area a pond should occupy - from 3 to 10% of total area plot. In reality, there can be no clear recommendations;

• width and length. Determined by the size of the site and the physical capabilities of the person. After all, the foundation pit for a pond is most often dug by hand;

Tip: the aspect ratio will determine the harmony of the pond.

• depth. Depends on the size of the pool, pond or lake and the purpose of the arrangement.

• zoning. Professionals recommend dividing an artificial pond into three sections:

• coastal zone(100-400 mm). Designed for planting plants and entering the pond;

• shallow (400-1000 mm). For plants growing deeper. Tip: Nymphea or winter-hardy water lily grows well at this depth;

• deep-sea (over 1 m). Necessary in those ponds where it is planned to breed fish. The area of ​​the deep-water zone depends on the type and quantity of fish, but should be at least 20% of the pond area.

Tip: The lowest point of reservoirs should be below the freezing level of the soil. This is especially important for those ponds in which fish live. Thus, she can safely spend the winter in an ice-free pond.

• biodynamic balance. A pond is a place that is inhabited by living creatures, therefore, it is necessary to ensure balance so that the pond can clean itself. Special water treatment such as chlorination or ozonation is not provided for the pond.

Tip: plants should not occupy more than 50% of the pond area.

• complexity of content. It’s a paradox, but the larger the reservoir, the easier it is to maintain.

Ponds - from small to large

Stage 5 – Material for a pond at the dacha

Moving forward in the field of studying country ponds, we gradually got to one of the key questions, how to make a pond with your own hands. Any construction begins with the choice of material.

The market offers many building materials for creating a pond. And craftsmen advise making a pond from scrap materials; this will allow you to build a small pond in your dacha without any special financial costs.

Let's consider all the materials suitable for building a garden pond.

Concrete pond.

An expensive option that allows you to operate the pond for a long time. Pouring a pond with concrete (constructing a concrete bowl) is a method that is more suitable for constructing a swimming pool.

More suitable option. Made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or fiberglass, the form allows you to quickly complete all arrangement work and operate the pond from 5 to 30 years, depending on the quality of the bowl.

The purchased form allows you to make a pond in 3 stages: dig a pit, install a bowl and fill the voids with sand.

The plastic bowl for the pond is characterized by ease of installation, durability and frost resistance.

Their minus is high cost, difficulty of transportation (with a large volume) and the need to have basic installation skills. Otherwise, the bowl is very easy to damage. Please note that plastic bowls are destroyed under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.

Tip: the clear shape of the plastic bowl limits the possibility of creating a landscape pond on the site (subjective opinion).

In this subgroup, the best option is a bowl (shape) for a pond made of fiberglass, reinforced with a rubber base. The undoubted advantage of fiberglass is reliability and maintainability.

Provides unlimited possibilities in terms of choosing the shape of the reservoir. The simplest and most affordable material in this category is polyethylene film. It is available and cheap, but will not last long.

Folk ways to make a pond from scrap materials

Bath pond

An old bathtub is an ideal container, specifically designed to hold water. It can be painted in bright color and install it in a beautiful corner of the garden. Or you can dig it deeper into the soil and get a small country pond, even with a fountain.

Another simple way to make a mini pond in the garden.

How to make a pond from a tire with your own hands is shown in the photo.

Pond from a basin

The method is so simple that its construction is often done by women or even children. The basin holds water easily. Like a bathtub, it can be installed on the ground or deepened. The main thing in arranging a pond from a basin is the decor. And then, the garden mini-pond will decorate the area no worse than a full-fledged reservoir.

Suitable for those who want to combine two in one: create a decorative pond and eliminate the buzzing of mosquitoes.

Material prepared for the website www.site

Please note that the choice of material for a pond has a direct impact on the design, appearance and lifespan of the pond.

Tip: when choosing material for a pond, make sure that it is environmentally friendly.

Stage 6 – tools and equipment for the pond

To make a simple pond at the dacha, you need to prepare a level, a cord (for marking), pegs, a hose for watering, a shovel and a cart for removing soil.

For a more technologically advanced (capital) reservoir, pond equipment will be required:

• filter for water purification. It is especially important to install a filter in reservoirs where fish are raised.

• pond pump. Allows you to organize water supply under pressure. Used for pumping/pumping water, watering the garden, installing fountains, waterfalls, operating filters (cleaning);

• pond sterilizer. Necessary for eliminating algae (helps make the water clear);

• compressor (aerator) for the pond. Important for fish and plants. Pond aeration allows you to saturate the water with oxygen. Compared to an aquarium compressor, it has more power.

Stage 7 – We build a pond at the dacha with our own hands

As you can see, there are more than enough materials to create a pond on your own. We will focus on how to make a pond at the dacha from PVC film. The choice is due to the fact that the film takes shape better, it is quite affordable, working with it does not require special skills, and the film can be repaired.

Advice: so that the film does not tear in winter time, it is necessary to provide a deep-water part (below the depth of soil freezing), which will serve as a kind of compensator.

7.1 Choosing a pond film

PVC film colors:

• black - will turn the bottom of the lake into a mirror. Clouds, etc. will be reflected well in a dark body of water;

• brown - perfectly imitates bottom soil. Suitable for creating landscape ponds;

• blue or cream - will give the pond a resemblance to a swimming pool, but the fish are clearly visible against a light background.

When choosing a film, pay attention to:

• compound. Polyethylene is fragile, PVC is stronger;

• thickness. A film with a thickness of more than 0.5 mm is suitable for a pond. The maximum thickness available on the domestic market is 1.9 mm;

Tip: The deeper the pond and the more complex its shoreline, the stronger and thicker the film should be. The presence of stones or tree roots is also a reason to choose a stronger film.

• trade mark (brand). According to reviews, as well as from practice, it is recommended to use film from the brands Gardena, Heissner, OASE;

• resistance to mechanical damage;

• UV resistance.

Advice: For pond depths greater than 1.5 m. the best solution will use butyl rubber (EPDM or synthetic rubber, as it is also called). The rubber film is stretchable, resistant to UV and mechanical damage. Withstands from 40 to 80 °C.

• absence of toxic components in the film composition.

Pond film calculation

• film length = length of the reservoir + 2 x depth of the reservoir + reserve (500-600 mm);

• film width = reservoir width + 2 x reservoir depth + reserve (500-600 mm).

How and with what to glue PVC film for a pond

The film for the pond is glued with a special glue (for example, Tangit (Tangit) PVC-U) or with adhesive tape, for example, Quick Seam 3.

Advice: it is better to immediately adjust the geometry of the pond to the size of the film.

7.2 Sketch and diagram of a pond at the dacha

Before you start digging a pit for a pond, you need to draw a sketch on paper and also transfer it to the surface of the ground. It is advisable to indicate the depth and width of shelves for plants or steps. This technique will allow you to avoid problems during the construction of the pond. It is convenient to apply markings with a garden hose (it is flexible, bright, and easy to adjust) or sand.

Tip: after marking the ground, cover the resulting area with a light film and look at it from different corners of the area. You may actually have to make adjustments to the future pond.

7.3 Digging a pit for a pond

The pit structure includes:

• removal of turf (excavation);

• digging a pit. It is convenient to dig from the edge to the center, gradually going deeper in the right places. For decoration, laying stone or laying turf, you need to dig a ledge 600-700 mm deep;

• removal of soil, as well as construction waste, roots, stones and anything that can damage the film.

Advice: since the excavated soil needs to be put somewhere, you can build an alpine slide or level the surface of an area where there are depressions.

In progress earthworks you need to constantly ensure that the banks are on the same line. If you are planning a waterfall, then you need to maintain the required height difference.

Advice. If you need a building level (level) of great length, you can make it yourself. To do this, you need to lay a regular building level 500 mm long on a long board.

7.4 Laying the pond liner

After the pit is dug, its bottom and walls are well compacted (this is necessary to give it shape) and proceed to waterproofing. Waterproofing for a pond is needed to prevent water from escaping into the soil.

Tip: Some users prefer to do without isolation. In practice, this results in water levels that are inconsistent.

There are several ways to form a substrate:

• line the compacted pit with stones, gravel and fill it with sand. But after a few years, such waterproofing will cease to perform its functions;

• lay geotextiles on the bottom and cover with sand. A more reliable method, but also more expensive;

• lay PVC film. It is film, as the most common option, that is discussed in this article.

7.5 Laying pond liner

Proper laying of the film does not exclude the installation of a sand cushion at the bottom of the future pond. According to professionals, such a pillow eliminates the possibility of damage to the film by roots or stones.

Advice. It is better to lay the film on a hot day. As it heats up, it will become more pliable.

Considering the topography of the bottom and banks of the reservoir, everyone will be faced with the fact that the film will be laid in folds. At the same time, users advise making one large fold, rather than many small ones. The formed fold can be pressed down with stones or glued to the main part of the film.

It is important that the laid film lies on the surface of the pit freely, without tension. Otherwise, after filling the pond with water, it may stretch even more and tear.

In order to secure the film, it is enough to dig an auxiliary trench. Having laid the film, you can secure it with rods and fill the trench with crushed stone.

After the film is laid, the pit is filled with stones.

Tip: choose a large stone for the bottom. The flat bottom of the stone will prevent the film from tearing. For walls, it is better to use rounded stones, since flat ones slide.

Upon completion of the work, the pit is filled with water. Moreover, it must be supplied without pressure to the middle of the pit.

Only after the water in the pit has stood for 1-2 days can the film be cut off.

7.6 Strengthening the banks of the pond

A homemade pond in the garden will look well-groomed and reliable only when there are beautiful and durable banks.

Depending on the type of soil, the shore of the pond should have a slope:

• with chernozem or clay - it is allowed to make vertical walls;

• for sandy soil - inclined.

Practical users believe that optimal slope for the shore of a reservoir it is 45°. This angle will prevent the shore from crumbling and prevent ice from bulging during freezing/thawing.

When finishing and decorating the banks of the pond, take into account the plants that will be planted on them. Since they all grow at different depths, care should be taken to ensure that planting shelves are formed at a certain depth.

In the process of digging a pit, every owner will inevitably face the question of how to strengthen the shore of the pond.

The following engineering methods are suitable for strengthening the shore:

For a flat coast:

• geomat;
• geogrid (perforated polymer);
• geogrid.

Craftsmen advise using a more conventional chain-link mesh, the cells of which are filled with earth with clover seeds (or other perennial grasses) or strengthening the shore of the pond with plants and bushes.

For a steep bank:

• gabions;
• piles (sheet piling or regular);
• retaining walls.

Biological methods can strengthen the shore just as well. The photo shows plants that can not only strengthen the shore, but also decorate an artificial pond.

Advice. For greater reliability, it is better to combine engineering and biological methods of strengthening the shore of a reservoir.

Stage 8 – Decorating a pond at your dacha with your own hands

A pond in a dacha will become a full-fledged design element of garden decor only after its final finishing.

To make a country pond look natural or decoratively decorate a shaped pond, you can use:

• plants planted directly on the bottom of the pond. To do this, you need to place the prepared plants in special containers on the curtains (steps of the pond). Tip: Native plants do better in a pond;

• plants in tubs. To do this, any plant is planted in a tub (barrel, bucket, pot) and placed on the shore of the pond. The advantage of this method of decorating the coast is that you can use any plants, even exotic ones, and constantly change the appearance of the coastline;

• build a “dream” island in the middle of a pond. Install on the island decorative rock boulder or place the plant in a flower pot;

• launch bright fish;

• lay beautiful stones.

Advice: it is better to alternate the laying of large stones with the laying of smaller ones, thus avoiding uniformity in the design of the bank.

• lay out comfortable and beautiful paths from natural stone, gravel, wood or brick cuts;

Tip: gravel paths require more maintenance because... they are washed away by rain and grass grows through them.

• build a bridge across a body of water;

• complement it with a waterfall;

• install a beautiful fence made of wood or stone;

• organize night illumination of the pond. Moreover, you can install LED lights, or place lights in transparent glass balls on the water surface. They can be lowered to the bottom using weights;

• install sun loungers or a gazebo on the shore of the pond.

Stage 9 – Caring for a pond at the dacha

• The pond will be protected from leaves by a mesh structure on a lightweight frame.

• cloudy water that will remain in the pond for 2-3 weeks settles over time. In addition, the biological activity of small inhabitants will soon make it transparent.

• to clear the pond of leaves, a net is useful;

• to increase the water level, you need to periodically add it (with a bucket or hose without pressure);

• you need to monitor the rate of spread of algae, in order to limit their growth you can plant cattails or nymphs (lilies);

• protect plants planted in the pond from the cold or bring them into the house;

• Periodic cleaning of the reservoir will eliminate bottom debris;

Tip: You can clean your pond quickly and effectively in winter. To do this, it is enough to split the ice and transport it along with the silt outside the pond.

• algaecides are an emergency measure for cleaning a pond. But due to its high toxicity, you should not use it unless absolutely necessary.

Stage 10 – Preparing the pond for winter

A pond based on a special plastic bowl can survive the winter, because the bowl can withstand significant temperature changes. And so that it does not deform from pressure, created by ice, just place a few empty plastic bottles in the container. The bottles must first be tightly closed with lids. To prevent the bowl from collapsing, 1 bottle per 1 square meter of container is enough.

But what about those who have a film pond - will the film crack from frost? If the depth of the pond exceeds the freezing depth of the soil, there is no need to worry. To protect smaller bodies of water, you can also use empty bottles.

Important! All equipment and plants must be covered for the winter.

Conclusion

In this article we covered all the key points of creating a pond with your own hands, from the idea to the care. We hope that we have dispelled doubts and given confidence in our abilities. Go for it! And by the beginning of the season you will have a wonderful water corner in your suburban area.

When designing a pond at your dacha, you shouldn’t hold back the flight of your imagination - everything is permissible here: both frivolous cascades and heavy boulders covered with mossy vegetation.

It all depends on how you imagine your country pond, and in what style the nearby ones are decorated.

But here, too, everything is relative - even outright dissonance can be presented as a special idea of ​​the author.

There are two main styles for decorating a pond at your dacha with your own hands: landscape (as close to nature as possible) and designer (deliberately artificial and more fantasy).

There are also landscaped swimming ponds - these are ponds designed in a landscape style, but you can also swim in them. They will be discussed in more detail on another page of the site. In general, the decorative design of the pond should correspond to its shape and size.

How to decorate a pond at your dacha with your own hands in landscape style

How to decorate a pond with your own hands in a landscape style, if the existing situation on the site allows for a free design style that is close to natural? In this case, the reservoir is made of any shape with a curved coastline, which can then be decorated with natural stones.

From existing species natural and artificial stones For decorating ponds at a summer cottage in a landscape style, preference should be given to crushed granite, river pebbles, and decorative onyx.

Also beige will do sandstone, decorative tiles and similar materials. The size of the stones should depend on the size of the reservoir: for a small pond you need to use medium-sized and small stones, and for large ones - larger stones, in combination with medium and small ones, then the shore line will look more natural than if you use the same stones quantities.

Look at the photos of decorating ponds with your own hands - each of them is beautiful in its own way:

Photo gallery

You can take the landscape style as a basis. In the ancient Japanese garden, the pond had strict forms, but with a carefully thought-out composition of stones. No bright plants were used here. In Japan, due to the limited territory, there has always been a desire for minimalism, which was reflected in the design of the reservoir.

According to tradition, all the elements must be present in such a garden, including water, so the reservoir here existed in the form of a tsukubai - a small vessel with water. True, it was necessarily accompanied by a stylized stream flowing from hollow bamboo tubes, as well as dwarf trees along the banks of this stream.

Sometimes the pond in the garden took the shape of a square or rectangle, which was also supposed to emphasize the asceticism of the Japanese.

Here you can see the design of a pond on a summer cottage in Japanese style:

Photo gallery

Upon registration country pond You can achieve a special effect if you line the bottom of the reservoir with small stones. Especially if the pond is shallow, then the stones, beautifully laid out over the entire surface of the bottom, will be visible through the layer of water.

Such a pond, in addition to stone, can be lined with decorative strict tiles, making a pond path from the same. Another idea on how to decorate an artificial pond is to make a path that runs above the surface of the reservoir: either in the form of a monolithic bridge made of concrete, or by installing stones or slabs separately rising above the water, which create a single line of movement.

Decorating a pond at your summer cottage with plants (with photo)

The composition of natural stones should be complemented by carefully selected plants so that the overall picture creates the illusion of natural beauty.

When decorating a pond with plants, before planting them, you need to draw up an approximate layout diagram, distributing crops by type at different levels and steps. Coastal plants can also be placed in the free space between the stones.

The main thing is not to plant too many plants. Ferns will fit perfectly into the coastal landscape, and you can let water lilies float along the surface of the water.

In order for the composition to look beautiful and complete, it is necessary to use cultures that are different in appearance. Heavily overgrown aquatic crops should be partially weeded out to avoid large piles and thickets.

These photos of decorating a pond at your dacha with your own hands show what plants can be planted in a garden pond:

Photo gallery

If the depth of the pond is more than 50 cm, then aquatic crops need to be planted in pots and then placed on the bottom of the reservoir. Deep plants grow well in the shade, and at sufficient depth they will purify the water well.

How to decorate a decorative pond at your dacha if the pond is of modest size? A small pond also requires careful decoration; it is important not to overload it with too many elements.

In this case, it is recommended to select simpler plants. You can use deciduous: perennial herbaceous or shrubs with hanging shoots, tall ornamental cereal grasses, as well as wild species that in nature always grow near water bodies.

These may include creamy white or pink meadowsweet, aquilegia, basilisk and daylily.

It is also good to plant marigolds and forget-me-nots, Siberian and mints along the edge of the pond - they will perfectly decorate the border of the pond.

As you can see in the photo, when decorating a country pond with plants, you can place a frog or snails in a small pond, which will help maintain the natural balance of the ecosystem:

Photo gallery

Frogs will eat midges and mosquitoes, which usually live in bodies of water, and snails are known to feed on underwater debris, which means they will come in handy.

How to make an artificial pond with your own hands

Upon registration artificial pond large sizes The reservoir can be divided into three main zones: for coastal plants, for shallow-water plants (water lilies), for deep-water plants.

At great depths, fish can live, which will perfectly complement the style of a landscape pool. If the reservoir is not very deep, then you need to dig a hole 1.5 m deep especially for wintering fish.

You can complement the landscape pond with a decorative stream, waterfall, cascade, build a rock garden nearby, design the coastline and path to the pond in the same style, using the same tile material, which will also reveal the concept of everything garden plot.

You can create multi-level ponds with cascades, then an unusual pond will not only decorate the landscape, but also fill the garden with a pleasant and soothing murmur of water.

Before you design a pond at your dacha, consider where in the garden it is located. A landscape pond with natural contours can be located near the terrace of the house or in the depths of the garden next to the gazebo (where all the necessary communications for the pond are also connected).

Sitting comfortably in a gazebo or on the terrace of your house, you can comfortably and happily watch the surface of the water and listen to the splash of water.

Choosing style decision to design a garden pond, you need to focus on the existing architectural, plant and design decoration summer cottage, but you can also trample on these norms by creating a bright oasis in a strict territory.

How to decorate a decorative pond at your dacha in a designer style

Another idea on how to decorate a pond at your dacha with your own hands is to decorate it in a designer style.

The designer pond is distinguished by the correctness of its forms and the rigor of its design. Usually it embodies some general concept (for example, a Japanese-style pond with a rock garden) or is made in the same style as the country house and plot.

If there is no specific style solution at all, then it is better to choose a free landscape style for the design of the pond.

A designer pond can be of a strict classical shape or, for example, in the shape of a flower or butterfly - but respecting the geometric lines.

The most laconic in shape is a formal pond with a rectangular outline - it will go well with a courtyard or patio, especially if there are rectilinear or round flower beds nearby, linear paths, etc.

Round ponds also fall under the category of formal ponds. They can decorate a lawn or open lawn, they can be complemented by a pergola or placed near a picturesque group of trees.

For those who want to improve their plot of land, you should pay attention to landscape design ideas using ponds. an artificial pond at the dacha is not only original, but will also add richness and beauty to the area, but can also serve useful element registration

How can I buy it already? ready-made options To set up such a decorative pond, you can buy an artificial pond not at all expensive, but still making an artificial pond with your own hands is both cheaper and more original, because you can realize your ideas and create!

There are many implemented ideas, photographs of which can serve as an example of design, or simply prompt the owner to come up with his own project. But first you need to understand what types of reservoirs are used in landscapes. Let's talk about how to make an artificial pond.

Types of reservoirs:

• pond;
• Creek;
• fountain;
• waterfall.

What is their difference?

Pond

A pond and similar water places mean structures in which the water does not move, and at the same time communicates with groundwater. The advantage of such a reservoir is that waterlogging of the soil is excluded. In addition, such a place can be decorated with boulders, stones, favorite plants on the shore, add fish and set up a large aquarium. Making an artificial pond is quite simple.

Creek

The stream on the site is a narrow stream of water with a current and a winding bed. When arranging this type of reservoir, a variety of and a large number of bends, thresholds, overflows. It should be taken into account that the speed depends not only on the pressure of the supplied water, but also on the width of the channel and its angle of inclination.

If you want to add even more naturalness, then you can use the advice to a short time decorate the stones by the stream with moss: to do this, you just need to smear the stones with kefir. This will speed up the maturation process of moss on stone surfaces.

Fountain

Fountains have long been considered beautiful decoration garden or plot. Fountains humidify the air well and bring aesthetic pleasure when watching it. They can be either individual or in combination with a pond.

An important detail in the construction of a fountain is its accessibility from all sides, that is, it must be visible so that it can be admired. There are two types of fountains: stationary and submersible. The former are used to create a fountain in a pond, and the latter for individual structures.

As original design For fountains, you can use a mascaron: a mask in the form of a human face or the head of an animal, from whose mouth water flows into a bowl. Under the action of the pump, this water then flows back into the mascaron. Any fountains look elegant if they are decorated with lighting. We'll talk further about how to make an artificial pond with a fountain.

Waterfall

This option is also a beautiful design element. Added to its appearance is the ability of the sound of falling water to drown out some noise (for example, the noise of traffic from a nearby road).

You should know that the volume of falling water is regulated by the height from which the water will flow and its quantity. Several waterfall steps will create a cascade. This will add originality and richness to it. It is recommended to design waterfalls near the slopes of flower beds and hills. This gives it a natural look.

All types of reservoirs are beautiful in their own way, but in order for them to look harmonious in a particular area, you need to evaluate the topography of the land and first design your idea. Only through comparison can you decide on the most the best option landscape.

Now let's talk more specifically about a do-it-yourself artificial pond

Creating artificial ponds is both simple and difficult at the same time. Simple, this is when you can just dig a hole and fill it with water. But what would this body of water acquire? the right type, you have to put in some effort and creativity.

Modern materials make it possible to make artificial ponds from lighter and more flexible fabric that does not allow water to pass through. The advantage of this material is that it can easily take any shape that the future pond will have.

Butyl rubber belongs to the class of the most expensive materials when applied to artificial ponds. Although the material is more expensive than others, it is not subject to temperature changes and is not afraid of either cold or heat. In addition, its service life is quite long, approximately 10 to 20 years. Buy an artificial pond made from butyl rubber, the price is 15,000 rubles.

To strengthen the banks and bottom of artificial ponds, polyvinyl chloride film can also be used. In terms of rubber, it costs half as much. In terms of its qualities, it is quite strong, flexible and can last 10 years. If you decide to build a pond that will be raised above the soil surface, then you will have to use brick, or possibly pressed stone. An artificial pond at the dacha will be a beautiful addition, decoration and highlight of your dacha.

Sometimes, to create a pond, it is not necessary to have a spacious place. You can get by with a small pond, in combination with it, build a small bridge, make a miniature creek or a small waterfall.

Some experts say that it is impossible to create a perfect pond that would suit everyone. There are as many projects as there are people who want to have their own artificial pond. A classic pond is usually 4 or more square meters. m. With such volumes of the pond, it is easiest to achieve a normal ratio between water, fish and plants.