DIY Mini Pond Guide
Installing a mini garden pond is a great way to invite nature into your outdoor living space, these ponds will create the perfect habitat for birds, frogs, toads, tadpoles, hedgehogs, bats, lizards, water snails, etc… butterflies, dragonflies, and other insects. What I love about a mini pond besides plant life, is wildlife will have your pond teaming with many activities which are so exciting.
A mini pond is a great way to connect with nature while having a positive impact on your mental state, besides learning how to create a mini pond we will also be looking at the many benefits these ponds bring. This spring give nature a helping hand by bringing balance to our ecosystem by introducing a pond into your garden area that has so many benefits.
7 Steps to Build a Mini Pond
Step 1: When seeking to install a mini pond locate an area that’s warm and sunny, a warm sunny area will not only encourage plant growth but will encourage wildlife to pay your pond garden a visit. To begin mark out the area where the pond is to be installed with a rope or garden hose, with a rope or hose you can make the pond to the size you want it to be and also what shape you desire.
Now with landscaping paint or with a piece of stick mark out the area by going around the rope or hose, now remove the hose or the rope, and with a spade shovel dig around the marked area. As you dig make sure that the sides are level, the way this is done is by placing a piece of board or plank over the mouth of the hole with a spirit level on top. As you construct your mini pond create some areas that are shallow, this will make it easy for wildlife to have access to your pond.
Step 2: Once the hole is dug to the desired depth remove large stones from the bottom of the pond, make sure that the bottom of the pond is as smooth as you can get it. Now place about 5-6 cm of thick sand to line the pool’s hole.
Step 3: Next dig a trench around the edge of the pond, the reason for this is to allow the overhanging pond liner to drop into, carefully place the liner in the hole and tuck the edge into the trench. To hold the pond liner in place use large rocks, the extra liner can be removed with scissors.
Step 4: Add more sand to the bottom of the pond, make sure to fill the pond with the sand.
Step 5: Use tap water although rainwater is preferred to fill your pond, if using tap water place the mouth of the hose in the pond and allow the water to run from the hose slowly, backfill around the edge of the pond with soil. The exposed pond liner can be covered with flagstones, soil, or even grass, placing logs, stones, and plants around your mini pond edge will serve as a habitat for wildlife.
Step 6: About 1-2 weeks later plants can be added to your pond, your choice of plants should be plants that are native to attract and support wildlife.
Step 7: To make it easy for wildlife, place a plank or a piece of board into the pond, place one end of the board in the pond with the other end outside of the pond. This plank will make it easy for wildlife by acting as a bridge, properly managing your pond will ensure that your pond is in a good state at all times. Look for vegetation that’s encroaching and a buildup of dead organic matter. As your pond matures wildlife that lives in the pond will help to keep it clean.
Some Aquatic Plants to choose from for your Mini Pond
- Lesser spearwort
- Miniature water lily
- Flowering rush
- Starwort
- Moneywort
- Water Lettuce
- Water Poppies
- Water Hyacinth
- Yellow Iris
- Corkscrew Rush
- Thalia
- Dwarf Cattails
Additional Information
1. During the hot weather the pond water may start to dry up there add water to your pond if this is the case.
The Benefits of Creating a Mini garden Pond
- Aesthetic value-Increasing the value of your property
- Creating a habitat for wildlife
- These ponds are great to watch nature
- A great way to relax in your private oasis
- Erosion Control-a mini pond can prevent erosion by slowing down water runoff
- Helps with biodiversity
- Less grass care, fertilizing, and watering
- A great learning avenue for kids
- The presence of a mini is great for your mental health by sitting and relaxing
- Creates environmental awareness
- Manage pests by attracting their predators with a mini pond
- A mini pond brings beauty to an existing garden
The final word on how to create a mini garden pond
Creating a mini pond is that simple, all it takes is some know-how, you have come to the right place, it’s amazing how mini ponds can make such a big difference in and outside garden setting. We are so happy that we could have helped, I love mini ponds because of what they offer, these ponds are worth your time and your investment. If your desire is to construct a mini pond then now is a perfect time. Why miss out on the fun when you could have a mini pond of your own connecting with nature on the great outdoors?
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.