LANDSCAPING - BUILDING A BACKYARD POND THE SMART WAY

A backyard pond can turn a ho-hum property into a thing of absolute beauty. It can be the perfect finishing touch to a landscape or the centerpiece of a yard. Backyard ponds are increasing in popularity, as a variety of inexpensive kits and products hit the market. For years, backyards ponds were a luxury that only the very wealthy could afford. Today, it seems, any homeowner willing to put in a little effort can add a pond to his or her property.

Unfortunately, in the mad rush to integrate ponds into home landscaping, many do-it-yourselfers make mistakes. There are a number of important factors you should consider before and during the construction of a backyard pond. Let’s look at some guidelines for building your backyard pond the smart way. Keeping these points in mind will allow one to avoid several common pitfalls associated with do-it-yourself pond construction.

First, integrate the pond with your existing landscape. In many cases, amateur landscapers simply find a convenient open area and get right down to work. The finished product? Well, it looks just like a backyard--with a pond in it. The pond just doesn’t seem to fit. It seems “forced” or somehow incongruous with overall look and feel of the property. In these situations, the presence of a pond can actually detract from the beauty of a yard and can serve to diminish curb appeal and resale value.

If you are considering adding a pond to your hard, take the time to select a design and a location that flatter your overall landscaping. Don’t simply “plop” it down somewhere in hopes that it will look great. In many cases, it won’t. If you don’t feel as though you can trust your own design and aesthetic judgment on the matter, seek the opinion of others to guide the location and shape of your new pond.

Second, think about the elements. If you place your pond in complete shade, you might have a problem providing adequate warmth to maintain a fish population. If you place your pond near a tree, you may find yourself constantly working to keep leaves out of the water. The environment surrounding the pond will have a large impact on both its appearance and overall well being. Think about your property and the elements before starting work on your backyard pond.

Third, size matters. You need to make sure your pond will be sized correctly to meet your goals. Those with limited space may wish for a pond with a large fish population, only to find that the space available won’t support enough finned friends to satisfy them. Others may want to experiment with a variety of aquatic plants. These also have specific space requirements that you should consider. If your pond is too shallow or too small, your range of options will be limited.

Another example of considering size carefully has to deal with the depth of the pond. This is particularly true in colder climates with ponds containing fish. If the pond is too shallow, it can freeze completely. It should come as no surprise that a total freeze is likely to cut down on the number of fish in a hurry! Proper pond depth is essential in many situations to maintain a healthy fish population.

Adding a backyard pond can be a great way to make outdoor living more attractive and enjoyable. If done correctly, it can add a certain luster to a property and can even serve to create a substantial net increase in the property’s value. However, a poorly conceived backyard pond can be incredibly frustrating.

Today, almost anyone can add a pond to the backyard. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about doing that. If you are considering adding a pond to your property, be aware of the factors you must keep in mind in order to do the job right!