Is it possible to make a decorative pond near the porch. Pond in the country: varieties and do-it-yourself technology

In the process of creating a pond at your own dacha, many questions arise, and general recommendations are indispensable. Let's consider these questions.

How to make a natural pond?

First, let's define what is meant by this phrase:

How to choose a place and what to provide:

• distance from trees, tall shrubs. Water should not clog leaves, branches;
• good lighting, direct rays of the sun throughout the daylight hours are unacceptable;
• properly positioned at the bottom to rainwater did not spill over the territory, but flowed into the pond;
• the site is chosen flat, with a slight slope.

What to consider so that the reservoir is “alive” and does not rot:

Making a pond

A properly made pond occupies at least a 10th part of the site. Deep - weakly warms up and simply dangerous, shallow - blooms. On the forums of gardeners recommend optimal size reservoir 2.5 - 3 m in diameter, 1.5 depth. The pit is dug by hand or with the help of machinery. Next is waterproofing.

Ecopond - involves natural waterproofing, called clay castle. Only this natural material contributes to the life of a living ecological system. This good way make a pond without a film:

How to make a small pond?

There are some simple ways arrangement of miniature reservoirs on the site.

Since the shape is a wave-like configuration, transitions are taken into account during instillation. Special steps are made, one wider than the other. After installation, the voids are filled with earth.

The form is set slightly above ground level, a layer of sand of about 20-30 cm is poured under it, but first they make markings on the ground. Then you can start digging a pit. How to do this is clearly visible in the figures below.

How to make a big pond

1. At first mark the contours. For an irregular shape, a regular rope is suitable; for a rectangle, square - pegs are hammered, a twine is pulled between them.
2. Digging a pit with an excavator. You can calculate its dimensions using the formula for calculating the volume of a truncated cone. This can easily be done on a site like fxyz.ru. It is only necessary to substitute the numbers in the desired line.
3. Farther - align the walls of the dug bowl and make them flat. Provide terraces around the perimeter of the reservoir. They do not allow the earth to crumble, serve as convenient steps when laying waterproofing. In the future, they will be useful in the design of the pond.

Important! In the bowl of the pit, three zones are provided: deep, 1.8-2.0 meters, (below the freezing level of the earth). She is prepared so that she successfully winters. Medium - for plants. Small - in summer such places warm up well, fry, living creatures accumulate here, microflora multiplies.

If you are digging a swimming pond, you do not need to deepen the bottom, it is made even.

Next you need:

• remove stones, snags from the bottom;
• prepare waterproofing material.

The company "Landscape Constructions" recommends that you first fill the bottom with sand, lay it on top geotextile.

Among existing options waterproof coatings, usually choose butyl rubber film. The main argument is durability. She serves up to 20 years.

Laying out the film

How else can you waterproof a pond?

For your information! In specialized stores, you can buy a ready-made plastic mold for a reservoir of 1000 liters or more.

How to build a dam?

A pit is not required for a pond, it is enough to make a dam using a stream or a catchment area where water flows. Running water fills the reservoir constantly. Block it in the narrowest place. First, a ditch is dug, the bottom is laid out with greasy clay, and it is rammed. Then they build a wall of clay, deepen into the bottom and edges of the ravine. The crest of the dam is raised a meter above the future water level, the rapids are made steep.

Dams are built from natural materials: stone, gravel, logs, sometimes they are concreted. The base is supposed to be wide so that the structure can withstand water pressure.

When building such structures, remember about floods, consider water drainage in extreme situations.

The embankment is covered with a width of half a meter to 4, with a height of at least 0.5 m. The dam is filled only after the dam has settled.

Concrete dam. It is reinforced with rods, a corner, a steel mesh. For concreting, waterproof cement is used, liquid glass, PVA glue are added.

If there is a ravine

The ravine next to the site, along the bottom of which a stream flows and overflows in high water, can be turned from a potential enemy into a friend and helper. The ravine is blocked from coast to coast by an embankment. In front of it, rain, spring, or river water gradually accumulates, a water surface is formed.

Here is a similar positive experience step by step:

1. Dig a bypass, temporarily direct a stream into it so as not to interfere with work.
2. Make shields from boards, cover them with a film, on top - with roofing material.
3. Make gaps in the ravine, insert shields into them, lay out a dam from stones.
4. The bottom of the proposed pond cover with clay, compact, lay a layer of sand on top, level. At the end of the pond lay out with a film, the walls - with a stone.
5. In order to keep the water at a certain level, set overflow pipe. Excess water goes further along the diversion channel, into the ravine. To avoid silting, a sump is dug just above the course of a natural stream.

Such a water oasis practically does not require costs, it will avert the threat of flooding, decorate the place of rest.

How to make sure that the pond does not freeze in winter?

In autumn, especially tender and valuable plants are removed from the pond, and ornamental fish are moved to the aquarium. The pond will freeze at low temperatures, it is impossible to counteract nature, but it is possible to facilitate the wintering of fish in the reservoir, to ensure the flow of oxygen.

1. Reeds, cattail placed vertically. Oxygen through the hollow stems penetrates into the water.
2. Styrofoam, bundles of straw on water will slow down freezing.
3. Do products, pouring boiling water over ice.
4. In severe frosts cover insulation (straw, burlap, roofing material). Such flooring cannot be kept for a long time, natural light is needed. A wooden or foam box is placed above the hole, an incandescent lamp is hung, the hole does not freeze.

Used here floating aerator, however, its action is effective only at low sub-zero temperatures.

Pond from a quarry

Such reservoirs are called quarry ponds or gravel pits. Usually these are old neglected quarries in which peat or stone was mined. The water in them stagnates, fish is found, mainly, a trifle. Used for breeding fish when it is possible to provide a constant flow of water. Specialized farms on quarry ponds produce up to 2 centners of fish per hectare. Such reservoirs are of interest to entrepreneurs.

If there is a well

The easiest way is to feed the reservoir from the well. Here is such a scheme, with the help of which a good idea was realized, the owner of such a pond shared at the dacha forum. Water performs a cycle, its consumption is small.

1. Water from the pond flows to the filter. In this case, it performs the function of a skimmer.
2. The water cleared of debris falls into the waterfall that oxygenates the water. The pump in the well turns on only when there is a need to raise the water level.
3. The relay is activated, turns on the pump in the well, water enters the pond, fills it up to required level. Next comes the filter's turn. All mechanisms enter in turn. Such a scheme automatically maintains the water level necessary for the operation of the filter and waterfall.

How to make a flowing pond

The bridge as a decoration of the reservoir

Straight, curved, hanging over the water surface - the bridge can be anything. Wood, concrete, stone, metal and their combinations are suitable for structures. Even the smallest bridge will enliven the site, become a continuation of the path, add an unusual line to the landscape.

A simple bridge is easy to make:

pond filter

Alexander Pizanets tells how to make a filter for a pond in the video below.

If the backyard is spacious enough, and on the site near the house there are many free space, take advantage of the possibility of arranging a decorative pond. Such an object will perfectly complement the area on the site intended for recreation. We are sure: it will be much more pleasant to spend time near the pond reading newspapers or refreshing your feet, relaxing after a hard day's work.

And taking into account that the appearance of such a reservoir may be different, you can arrange a water corner in such a way as to create even more comfortable conditions for relax.

You can get creative ideas for arranging such an object from this article by looking at photos and pictures of artificial man-made ponds created in summer cottages by the efforts of their owners.

How to arrange an artificial pond in the country, photo

Location

If you decide to build a pond or other swimming pool in your backyard, first of all, choose the best place to place it.

When choosing a pond creation area, consider the following points:

• it is preferable that the water body is located in an open area. The presence of trees in the pond zone will distort the landscape, in addition, they will pollute the reservoir with leaves and twigs, and there will be a need for its constant cleaning;
• try to choose an area in which, after creating an artificial reservoir, there will still be room. Perhaps, over time, you will want to increase the size of the pond, include new decorative elements in the water complex - keep in mind that some of them can be very large;
• refuse to create a water body in an area located under the scorching sun, otherwise the pond will dry out quickly, the water will bloom in it, and harmful bacteria will develop in it.

Ideally, if the sun will illuminate the water body only in the first half of the day or, conversely, in the second. At lunchtime, the place where the country pond is located should be in the shade. Explore the possibilities for forming a shadow zone in advance: form a marking of a water body in the optimal place and evaluate how its illumination will change during the day.

To create a shady zone, you can use buildings located near the pond or tall plants. Shrubs and trees (for example, weeping willows) will decorate the pond and give it a natural look.

You need to be able to harmoniously include a water body in the existing landscape - be sure to consider this moment when planning a reservoir.

Do-it-yourself pond in the country: landscape ideas, photos

If you decide to create a water body in a lowland in wet areas of the garden, you will be able to ensure the drainage of water from the backyard area through the drainage system. If the site is flat, place the pond on the border of the garden area - where bushes and trees grow, or near a hedge (in this case, you will need to create a soft transition from perennial vegetation).

Refuse to form an artificial pond on suburban area in the lawn area. If there is no other place, visually separate the pond and lawn grass by planting plants on the border different varieties, including low vegetation so that you can see the water.

Many owners of summer cottages form decorative ponds next to rockeries and rock gardens. The boulders included in such objects can be successfully combined with the design of the pond.

Do not ignore the ravines and other irregularities on the site: they will be an excellent basis for the formation of streams flowing down to the pond along the boulders. Over time, a bridge can be installed in this zone - it will become another element of landscape decor.

Choosing a shape and style

Before you equip your own hands with a pond in a summer cottage, you need to consider a few more nuances. First of all, decide on the style in which the water object will be decorated. The shape of the reservoir will directly depend on the chosen style.

For example, the English direction is characterized by rounded shapes. The regular modern design is dominated by laconic lines and precise proportions.

Do-it-yourself imitation of a pond in the country, photo

And Asian-style ponds look the most natural. This design is characterized by irregularities and asymmetry of forms.

There are no strict requirements for the appearance of the reservoir in the summer cottage. But it is preferable that it looks natural.

It is a good idea to combine several different shapes when forming an artificial pond in a spacious area.

Making a pond in the country, photo

Material selection

The independent creation of a water body in a summer cottage begins with the preparation of a foundation pit. A reservoir can be formed in two ways:

• through the use of ready-made molds made of PVC or fiberglass. Plastic and polypropylene reservoirs are also very popular. When choosing, proceed not only from the price, but also from the quality parameters, if you want the pond to maintain a presentable appearance for a long time;
• using PVC film or special rubber based on butyl rubber. The main advantage of these materials is their durability. The film will last ten years, and the rubber - as much as half a century.

Artificial pond in the country, photo

Each of these methods has its own advantages. When using a ready-made form, you will finish the work on the construction of the pond faster, since to form the foundation pit, you only need to fix it well from the inside. The second technology makes it possible to select the parameters of the reservoir and create a natural design - it is used if it is decided to build a concrete object.

In addition to materials for shaping the shape of the pond, prepare everything you need to keep it in optimal condition. Buy at least a pump - it will definitely come in handy.

Before proceeding with the arrangement of a pond in the garden, we advise you to study the recommendations of landscape design professionals presented in this video:

Master class on the formation of a reservoir on a non-film basis

We offer step by step instructions for independent creation of a decorative pond in the garden on a rubber basis or from a film. You need to start with the preparation of the pit: if the reservoir is small, use a shovel, for a large pond you will need special equipment.

Mark the area with stakes.

Remove the top layer of soil by removing terraces to a depth of 30 cm and a width of 20 cm, and dig the main recess.

Important! The edge of the pond should have a 45-degree slope, and the depth of the pit should be at least 60 centimeters. If the depth is less, the reservoir will freeze in winter, and in summer it will become very hot.

To ensure a high-quality device for a reservoir with waterproofing from a film, make a 15-centimeter trench around the perimeter of the water body to more securely fix the film.

Having prepared the pit, level the bottom by removing boulders and make a sand cushion 0.15 m high. Cover the pit with geotextile to protect the film material.

After that, you can start laying the film. Its parameters are selected taking into account the depth of the reservoir, multiplied by two, and its length. Please note that the film will need to be strengthened at the edges, that is, a margin of another 50 centimeters will be required.

Spread the film, fixing the edges with bricks, and fill the pond with water. There is no need to cut off the excess film at the edges, the material will take the required shape within 24 hours. After this time, it will be possible to cut off the edges, leaving 25 cm for the blind area.

DIY decorative pond in the country, photo

Design the blind area based on individual preferences. It can be made of stone, or it can be tiled or brick. Used to fix materials cement mortar. The minimum width of the blind area is 60 centimeters.

Pond from the bath

A homemade small pond in a summer cottage can be created from an old font. We will learn in more detail how to implement this idea step by step. Start by forming a pit, its dimensions will be small. The depth depends on the dimensions of the bath.

Fill the pit with sand and cement screed so that over time the reservoir is not washed away ground water. A sand layer of 10 centimeters and a 3-5 cm cement layer will become a reliable pillow. A week after creating these layers, form a gravel layer, about 25 centimeters high.

Lower the bath into the prepared pit. After installing the font, fill the cavities on the sides with gravel (at least 10 centimeters from the font to the cut). Check that the edges of the bath do not protrude above the shore. Decorate the perimeter of the pond with small smooth pebbles or large boulders.

Pond design in the country, photo

If you want to make a pond from the bathroom on a flat area with your own hands, on one side fix the bathtub with a large boulder, making a full dig for one side and a partial one for the one that is free. The appearance of such a composition will resemble a rock garden.

Creating a mini pond

As already noted, an artificial reservoir created by one's own efforts in a summer cottage can have any configuration. If you want to create a pond that will only perform a decorative function, you can use small containers.

For example, you can create a miniature pond from the basin. The pond is formed according to the same principle as the reservoir from the overall bath. To implement this idea, you can use not only a basin, but also an old trough, flower containers and barrels.

Very often, miniature reservoirs are designed from car tires. To create such a mini-pond of tires, it is necessary to form a reliable bottom.

Do-it-yourself small pond in the country, photo

Having studied the gallery of photos of finished ponds at their summer cottage, you will see that small ponds can be deepened or, on the contrary, raised above the pits. To decorate such objects, large boulders, colored sand, bricks, gravel and vegetation are used.

Subtleties of care

In order for a home-made pond to maintain a presentable appearance for a long time, it is necessary to properly care for it, and carry out special procedures in a timely manner. How to care for such a garden pond? First of all, you need to form a small ecosystem, choose the right aquatic vegetation.

In the summer, remove weeds and algae from the water surrounding the pond. Use nets with rakes and other tools to clean the water.

Do-it-yourself artificial pond in the country, photo

Important! It is also possible to clean the reservoir in the summer cottage with the help of special means designed also to saturate the water with oxygen and do not harm fish and other aquatic inhabitants.

If the water body starts to dry out, replenish it with water. With the arrival of autumn, clean the water surface from foliage, branches and other debris in time so that they do not sink to the bottom. Separate types ornamental plants for the winter should be transplanted into containers, and too dense vegetation should be thinned out.

After the end of the swimming season, use mesh material to protect the reservoir from pollution.

In the spring, prune dried plants, clean the walls and bottom of the reservoir from accumulated silt. Cleaning is best done using special equipment. In April, it will be possible to launch a fountain, if one is envisaged in the pond complex.

Be sure to remember about strengthening the banks of the pond in the country - the coastlines of the reservoir at the first sign of their deformation over time can be significantly affected. This work is best left to professionals.

With the timely implementation of these activities, you do not have to spend a lot of time caring for the pond.

Arrangement of a pond in the country, photo

What kind of vegetation do you prefer?

The owners of summer cottages, who have decided to equip a pond in the garden, are interested in what ornamental plants can be planted around a pond. Not all plants can adapt to high humidity conditions. Let's look at this issue in more detail.

The coastlines of large reservoirs can be decorated with lush vegetation. For example, willow loosestrife, marsh iris, high reeds, darmer and coin loosestrife.

Perennial plants are also suitable for decorating an artificial reservoir. Here is a list of the most popular varieties:

• hosts;
• rogersia;
• marsh iris;
• astilba;
• gunner.

Between the stones surrounding the pond, you can plant forget-me-nots or stonecrops.

Important! Vegetation in the zone of an artificial reservoir is best planted not in the ground, but in special containers that are winter period can be moved to a warm place.

Making a decorative pond in the country, photo

Now you know what kind of vegetation to decorate an artificial pond in a summer cottage. But you also need to choose the right plants that will decorate the water surface. For this purpose, water varieties of hyacinth, multi-colored water lilies, duckweed are used.

Read about how you can make original meshes with stones of various shapes and sizes.

You can see a photo with examples of carports for a metal cottage in the article.

Features of the manufacture of garden sculptures are described in the article at:

Other decorative elements

One of the most popular ideas for decorating artificial ponds is the installation of fountains. The fountain can be made large and placed in the central part of the pond, or several small fountains can be used to emphasize the aesthetic appearance of a small pond.

For self-creation a water feature with a fountain, you need to buy special devices for spraying water. Sprinklers are installed on iron supports, which are screwed to the body of the fountains. The legs must be sanded so as not to damage the film in the pond.

The structure is placed in the water in a suitable place.

Making an artificial pond in the country, photo

You can attach a hose to the fountain and run water through it so that it flows through the decorative elements. Thus, you yourself will create a pond with an imitation of a waterfall.

Another decoration for an artificial reservoir in a summer cottage is created from stones and boulders.

You can make small steps that highlight the unevenness of the landscape, stone fences or sculptures, organically fitting them into the natural landscape.

Stone pond can be decorated in any color palette.

One more interesting option arrangement of an artificial reservoir in a summer cottage - installation of decorative bridges. These designs can be purchased ready-made or do it yourself. Bridges can be wooden, stone or metal - welded or forged. The advantage of these elements is that they are suitable for decorating plastic ponds and any other.

Near the pond, you can install beautiful benches or benches with a table, hang a hammock, thus creating a full-fledged recreation area.

Do-it-yourself pond design in the country, photo

A popular technique for decorating a pond in a summer cottage is the use of water lighting (lighting can also be done around the perimeter of the reservoir). In the dark, the backlight will focus on the water body, create a comfortable atmosphere for relaxation, set up reflections and emphasize the beauty of the reservoir.

Making a pond in the country with your own hands, photo

For maximum rapprochement with nature, you can settle fish in the pond. Red carp look especially impressive, but you can also think about keeping carp in a pond, then your pond will become perfect place For fishing.

But do not forget that the fish in the pond must be fed, otherwise it will die.

Beautiful ponds in the country, photo

There are many options for arranging and decorating decorative ponds in the garden. Such elements of landscape decor make the sites even more beautiful. There are tons of interesting concepts that you can bring to life on your own.

If you wish, you can use several design ideas at once to make the water body look even more original.

Video

From this video you will learn the details of the independent creation and decoration of an artificial reservoir in a summer cottage - details on how to ennoble the site, make and arrange a pond in the country with your own hands:

photo gallery

A selection of photos with the most striking landscape ideas for the design and decoration of large and small, but beautiful ponds on the site near the house - for your inspiration:

Whether you like to swim or just relax near the water, relaxing on the shore of a reservoir is one of the great pleasures of summer. But not every summer resident has the opportunity to build a cottage near the water. Therefore, sooner or later, each of us thinks about how difficult it is to make a pond on the site with our own hands. Ideally, we see a pond in the country not only as a decorative element landscape design, but also as a small reservoir in which you can enjoy swimming on a hot day.

However, faced with colorful descriptions of the technical difficulties, costs and nuances of regular care, many of us give up this idea.

Let's start with the basics - what makes a pond fundamentally different from a pool is the self-regulation system.

Bathing pond with their own hands.

We will tell you the process of creating a pond step by step, and you can make a garden pond with your own hands - by building a cool oasis in the middle of the heat right on your summer cottage, where our everyday worries disappear with every light breath of fresh breeze.

A garden pond is a living organism.

The pond in the country house mimics the process that nature uses to keep the lake clean. Everything - from the size and shape of the pond, plant species and water circulation are designed to maintain the pond in a stable natural state.


The problems that the pond owner faces is maintaining the balance between plants and water - the plants either die or take over the entire surface of the pond. Only a pond that is a balanced ecosystem ensures optimal transparency and water quality, and maximum enjoyment of swimming in the pond.


The water in the pond must circulate among the roots of the plants in order to be purified. Plants enrich the water with oxygen, which supports the vital activity of beneficial bacteria that utilize pollution and potentially harmful organisms, and also create a habitat for dragonflies, frogs and other aquatic life. The result is a stable, ecologically diverse system. Nature has revealed its technology to us and we must carefully use it.

How to make a pond yourself. The principles of the pond.

Water is a living biologically active component and all purification occurs due to the work of plants and beneficial microbes. To do this, the pond provides a bathing area and a filtration area for plants. The filtration zone is actually the swamp part of our water zone, and just like in nature, it is this one that guarantees the purity of the entire reservoir. This zone should occupy at least 50 percent of the total area of ​​the water surface of the pond.
If you notice, then in nature there are almost no tiny reservoirs with a consistently clean surface of water - they quickly overgrow or silt. Natural stable biological balance can be achieved in ponds from 100 sq.m. Smaller ponds require more of our attention as they their biological balance is precarious. Therefore, these ponds include a skimmer and UV sterilizer to keep them clean, but still offer a chemical-free bathing area and support aquatic plant growth.


It is useful to add a small waterfall, stream or fountain to the pond for regular enrichment of water with oxygen. Although, for the same purpose, you can use an aerator.

How is pond water purified?

You can see that the process of filtering water in a pond is not complicated:
1. Water from the swimming area flows into the regeneration area.
2. Water circulates back to the bathing area.

Through the drainage pipes under the plant roots in the regeneration area or/and after the skimmer, the water is pumped through the UV sterilizer to the waterfall, stream or to the bottom of the swimming area. The pipe that goes to the bottom of the swimming area is slightly raised above the bottom so that the flow of water prevents the formation of silt at the bottom.

What should be the shape of the pond.

The bowl of the pond looks more like a soup bowl with large rims than a bathtub. The height difference should be about 30 cm for each meter of depth. It is this shape of the pond bowl that ensures the stability of the walls. The figure shows a cross section of a pond with a plant and bathing area:

After compaction of the surface layer of soil in the pit, geotextiles and a hermetic liner are laid on the bottom of the pond. In the plant zone - drainage pipes and gravel. In order to separate the swimming zone from the plant zone, a small hillock is formed - its top is 3 cm lower from the water surface. It can be made from sandbags or gravel. The mound allows water from the swimming area to pass into the plant area, where the water is filtered by the plant roots, and at the same time protects the plants from fluctuations in the water of the swimming area.


This design of the pond will allow you to conveniently clean the swimming area without affecting the plant area. In addition to purifying the water, the shallow water warms up quickly and serves as a habitat for frogs and other invertebrates, you will appreciate their benefits when they start eating mosquito larvae.

In order to mimic the natural contours of a pond, use a combination of different profiles for its shore. If you have plants on pond terraces, it is better to do this in pots so that they can be easily removed when cleaning the pond.

What size pond is suitable for our site?
The optimal size of the pond is 1/10 of the area of ​​​​your site.

How about mosquitoes?
One of the first questions that arises at the word “pond with your own hands” is mosquitoes? Mosquitoes breed only in stagnant water, while the water in the pond will never be static, so mosquitoes will find it unattractive for their habitat. Even if at some point they appear, the frog pond ecosystem will reduce their population to a minimum.


Why make a pond in the country?
Do-it-yourself pond people make this decision because they want to see their pond as a beautiful part of the landscape design and still have a clean, inviting place to swim on a hot day.
Is it possible to have fish in the swimming pond?
Unfortunately, fish, on the one hand, eats beneficial microflora with pleasure, on the other hand, it is a carrier of pathogenic bacteria, so there should not be fish in the baths.


Is it possible to make a sandy beach on a pond?
The best solution for entering the pond is walkways or stairs. For a beach entrance to the water, you need enough space, because. the angle of entry into the water is small. In addition, the sand quickly silts up - those beaches that we see are often simply trampled down to sand, most of the pond shore is usually densely overgrown with plants.

Should I swim with frogs?
Yes, frogs are full-fledged and important inhabitants of the pond. Additionally, to purify the water in the pond, it is good to have double-winged toothless shells or barley, which filter water up to 40 liters per day. You can also get snails (coils, livebearers) - they eat dead plants and clean the pond well.

Which the best place for the pond?
It is better to place the pond away from the trees, because. falling, the leaves will rot in the pond. Moreover, growing roots can damage the waterproofing film or tilt the finished container. The illumination of the site should be about 5 hours in the morning, and the rest of the time it should be in partial shade. The pond does not need large illumination. leads to increased formation of algae and overheating of water in the reservoir.

What to do with the pond in winter?
In winter, the pond, like natural reservoirs, freezes. You don't need to drain it. For the winter it is necessary to remove all equipment from the pond (pumps, filters, skimmers).

Does the type of soil affect the creation of a pond?
No, the composition of the soil does not affect. There is a misconception that it is good when the groundwater level is high. In fact, groundwater at the freezing level is more of a problem. Freezing, the ice can bulge the bottom of the pond. It is especially problematic if the pond is made on the basis of a rigid finished form.

Do-it-yourself pond from a film.

The main question when creating a pond: how to make it waterproof. There are several types of pond waterproofing - film, clay castle, concrete and rigid installation.

Rigid mold installation is a simple and durable method, but they usually come in small sizes up to 3.5 square meters. meters. Their service life is 10-50 years.

Waterproofing with concrete is the most expensive, in addition, it needs additional treatment with a frost-resistant agent and liquid glass to protect it from frost.

A clay castle is the cheapest in terms of materials, but the most labor-intensive. In order to waterproof the pit with clay, the compacted soil is covered wood ash or soot. Then a 15 cm layer of clay dough is applied to the walls, compacted. When the layer dries, a second 30 cm is applied. When the layer is almost dry, crushed stone is poured on it, slightly pressing into the layer.

The optimal solution for the construction of ponds with an area of ​​more than 5-6 sq.m. - film waterproofing.


How much film is needed for the pond:
Film length= pond length + 2 pond depth + 50 cm margin for fasteners.
Film width= width of the pond + 2 depth of the pond + 50 cm margin for fasteners.

The film is produced in widths from 2 to 10 m, length 10-50 m. Knowing your needs, you can choose the optimal roll. The film is bought before digging the pit, this will allow you to cover it immediately when the pit is ready, preventing its edges from shedding.
What kind of film to choose for the pond.
PVC film for a pond is cheaper, but eventually destroyed by ultraviolet radiation, its service life is 8-10 years.
Butyl rubber sheeting is more expensive, but has both UV and cold protection. The service life of such a film is 50 years.

Do-it-yourself pond construction photo.

Do-it-yourself pond begins with marking the pit. The curved shape can be marked with a hose. We remove the sod along the coastline and take out the soil on the bayonet - this will be the line of the swamp zone, then the next level of the earth is taken out inside the resulting border, and so on. As a result, our terraces will be 50 cm wide with slopes of 20 cm. When the pond pit is ready, all hard objects that can damage the film: stones, roots, etc. , remove. We level and ram the walls and bottom of the pit.

Before work, the film is laid for several hours in a sunny place so that it warms up and becomes more elastic. Laying the film is done in warm weather. Overlapped geotextile or felt sheets are laid on the compacted pit, they are needed to protect the waterproofing film from protruding roots and stones over time.


A waterproofing film is spread on top of the geotextile with a margin of 50 cm along the edges of the pit. The edges are temporarily fixed with stones. The film is allowed to sag a little, smoothing and leveling it according to the shape of the pit.


The foil inside the swimming area can be protected with dry stacked stones.


Gravel or sand bags can be used instead of stones. But keep in mind that it is more convenient to take care of a pond with film walls. - it is easier to clean it from silt and mud.

In portions, the pit is poured with water, removing air bubbles from under the film.

When the pond is completely filled with water, the ends of the film are securely fixed in a trench, which is made at a distance of 15 cm from the edge of the pit. In a trench 20 cm deep, the edges of the film are wrapped in a roll and covered with stones and pebbles.

We make a pond with our own hands. Shore decoration.

After you have made a pond with your own hands, before you start decorating the shore, you need to pour plenty of water on it and wait 2-3 days, because. shrinkage is possible. In addition, during this time, the water in the pond will settle.
We mask the film on the shore with rubble, stones, snags. We plant plants in shallow water. The pond needs plants that saturate the water with oxygen. There are many suitable plants - reeds, meadowsweet, iris, bathing suit, marigold, arrowhead. Any plant that grows on the shore of a natural pond will work for your pond. Don't forget about algae, like hornwort, which just floats in the water. Deciduous ornamental shrubs are best planted behind marsh grasses, which are planted directly on the shore.


Additional charm is added to the pond backlight.


Floating flower beds look seductive on the surface of the pond.


Pond safety.

If there are very young children in the family, then perhaps the construction of the pond should be postponed until they are older. It is necessary to consider visiting the pond by the elderly and children school age. Make a convenient ladder for entering the pond, don't forget to clean it so it doesn't get slippery! All other sides of the pond, except for the entrance, are best covered with plants.

Pond care.

The new pond will take on its natural form throughout the year - while it will form its ecosystem. The small world of your pond is very vulnerable. The pond may quickly heat up or freeze, the water may evaporate, or the pond may overflow after rain. This puts a strain on aquatic life that cannot instantly transition to a safer, more stable environment.


Therefore, your pond, like any living organism, requires care. On a hot day, you need to add water, collect garbage that floats on the surface with a net, check whether the plants have grown or perhaps something has not taken root and must be annoyed. However, a surprising number of life forms will colonize your new pond, they will quickly explore new waters and stay if conditions suit them.

The quiet splash of water is the most enchanting melody of a hot summer, water bewitches, attracts and seduces us with a playful play of light, transparent depth and life-giving coolness. A handmade pond will give your cottage a special charm.

The most common artificial decorative ponds in summer cottages are ponds and pools. Everyone can afford a small pond. It all depends not so much on financial capabilities, but on desire and diligence. Forms artificially created pond can be absolutely any, as in nature. Marsh plants are usually planted along the perimeter of such ponds; it goes well with any kind of landscape design. You can make a pond and a certain geometric shape, such a pond will fit well into the design idea, which is also dominated by clear regular shapes.

To create an artificial reservoir in the country, the most important task is to choose its future location and size. It should be remembered that the state of the pond is badly affected by direct sunlight for more than 6 hours a day (prolonged exposure can stimulate the reproduction of bacteria), as well as the close proximity of trees - foliage falling into the water will pollute the pond, and tree roots can generally destroy the structure of the reservoir .

The size of the pond depends directly on how much free space there is on garden plot. But it is worth remembering that the larger the pond, the easier it is to create a sustainable ecosystem, that is, a balance between animal and flora in a pond, therefore, it is easier to take care of a large reservoir than a small one.

At the base of the future reservoir there may be either a finished container (for example, an old cast iron bath or any plastic container), or a film made of polyvinyl chloride or butyl rubber, or a reinforced concrete bowl in general.

Of course, with the help of a ready-made container, making a pond is easier and faster. For the existing capacity, they simply dig a hole and place it there. Of course, it is impossible to make a large reservoir in this way.

With the help of a film, you can make a reservoir of any shape and depth. Although this option will have to be pretty tricky, it is more economical and convenient. It is not recommended to use ordinary polyethylene for film reservoirs, since it has a short service life, after a couple of years it will lose its properties.

A reinforced concrete bowl at the base is the most reliable way to create a pond. However, this option is the most expensive, and redoing this decorative pond at the dacha with your own hands then it will be very difficult.

So, due to the many options in size and shape and economy, the most common type of country water bodies are water bodies created using a film.

To create such a pond, you need to do several steps:

1. Preparation of the bottom of the future reservoir (pit). The main thing for film reservoirs is the creation of a flat bottom, without stones, roots and other sharp protrusions, so as not to damage the film.
2. Drainage. To prevent shrinkage, a layer of sand is placed on the bottom. To protect against rodents, it is also recommended to lay a geotextile layer.
3. Film laying.
4. Pouring water.
5. Registration. It all depends on the imagination of the designer.
6. Pond care. It should be remembered that artificial reservoirs need filtration to prevent water stagnation. For these purposes, either special filtration systems are used, or plants are placed in the pond that can saturate the water with oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide and mineral salts.

You can use a combination of these methods. For the winter period, water should be removed from the pond, while the plants are sent to winter in an aquarium or a large pond located nearby.

DIY artificial decorative ponds

Summer is just around the corner, which means it's time to open the summer season. To facilitate your work in the country and ennoble the summer cottage, you can build an artificial pond on it. An artificial pond will decorate your site, as well as serve as a source for watering plants, swimming, breeding fish.

Ponds on the site can be of different geometric shapes, but they must be raised above the soil level. When building a pond, as with any other construction, you need to follow a certain algorithm. First you need to determine the location of the artificial pond in the summer cottage. It is recommended to place it not far from trees and shrubs in a turf area.

Trees and shrubs should be at least 1.5 - 2 meters from the pond, so that the roots of the trees do not distort the landscape of the pond, and the fallen leaves do not clog it. Provide free access to the pond from all sides, make paths around it. Paths can be laid out with stones or plastic corks.

This will make the appearance of the pond more aesthetic. The pond should be located on the sunny, but slightly darkened side, so that the water in it does not heat up much. Strong water heating will encourage pond blooms and algae growth.

Once the site is selected, construction can begin. First you need to dig a pit of the desired shape. Its depth should be at least one meter, the total area of ​​3-4 square meters.

During the construction of an artificial reservoir, a not simple dilemma arises: “What to make the bottom of?” You can make the bottom of the reservoir fill it with concrete, lay out with granite or even marble. But this will require large financial investments and make the reservoir unnatural, and it will be problematic to change the position of such a pond when redevelopment of the garden.

Therefore, the layout of the bottom must be taken very seriously. The following design will be convenient and practical. Pour sand into the bottom of the pit and evenly distribute it. On top of the sand we cover the bottom of the pit with a waterproof film. We fix the edges of the film along the coast line.

Be sure to use heavy stones for strengthening, and then fill the edges with river pebbles or gravel. Ready-made plastic containers are also very convenient for organizing the bottom, which already have recesses for planting.

We install a pump for water circulation in the pond and carry out artificial lighting. So that in the evening the pond would please your eye. After the pond is built, it must be ennobled with plants and decorative elements. To do this, we plant the plants in baskets, which we strengthen at the bottom of the pond. Same way good element the decor of your pond can serve as water lilies, lilies, capsules.

Lilies on an ornamental pond

If you wish, you can populate the reservoir with fish, but keep in mind that the fish will need to be looked after and cleaned in a timely manner. A properly equipped and organized artificial pond will decorate and ennoble your site.

How to make a pond - a pond on the site, giving video instruction

How to care for an artificial pond

It is not enough to create a small pond in your summer cottage - it still requires care, without the owner's care it will turn into a dirty swamp, which will then dry out over time. To prevent this from happening, experts advise what and when to do so that the pond is always colorful.

Spring
The first inspection of the year is advised to be carried out as soon as the ice melts - from mid to late March. This is the most favorable working hours in the garden and in the beds have not yet begun, so you can thoroughly and slowly inspect the entire pond. Everything is subject to inspection - starting with the appearance - how the shores survived the winter, whether they are intact.

If the fish overwintered in a deep pond, their condition is checked, whether they are alive. It is necessary to pay attention to all electrical devices - how filters and pumps work. The integrity of the bottom must be checked - if a leak or crack appears, the fish will be temporarily resettled and the damage repaired.

At the same time, at the end of March, you can do plants. If the owners are satisfied with the plants that were last year - plant them, if it is necessary to update the plants - new ones are purchased. Also don't forget about the garden.

After the autumn winds, a lot of foliage caused a lot of foliage in the pond - in the spring it must be removed so that rotting foliage does not spoil the quality of the water - this can affect the health and life of the fish. If the pond is small, they practice pumping out water, resettling fish and cleaning the walls and bottom with a regular brush. Dirty water merges and changes to a clean one.

Summer
The most important and urgent problem for the summer period in the pond is maintaining the water level. The spring maintenance of the pond ended with the stabilization of order, and in the summer it is only necessary to maintain this order. When the water level drops from evaporation, water is pumped up, if the days are too hot, they artificially increase the level of oxygen in the water with the help of compressors and creating shade.

The second action near the pond in the summer is to check the condition of the plants - their growth, cut them if necessary. If there are weeds in the plants, they are removed. Insect control is also carried out - it is better to wash them into the water - the fish will receive fresh food and the leaves of the plants will get rid of dust. After each feeding of the fish, the rest of the food in the pond is checked - it is removed so that it does not spoil the quality of the water.

Autumn
With the onset of autumn and the beginning of leaf fall, the most important thing in caring for a pond is to keep it from being polluted by leaves and debris carried by the wind. Fallen leaves are systematically removed, plants are cut on the shore, and a fine net is hung over the pond to prevent leaves from falling onto the water.

Plants that have released buds are removed until spring in a warm room. If there are pots with plants near the pond, they are also brought into a warm room. Fish are being fed - for the winter it must have stocks nutrients and fat reserves, since fish are not active in winter - this is quite enough for her for the winter.

Winter
A shallow pond that can freeze to the bottom and kill the fish is pumped out. The fish are temporarily moved indoors until spring. If the fish overwinter in a pond, it is necessary to provide for the creation of polynyas - either by placing a hot object on the ice or by drilling out a polynya. In winter, if necessary, you can heat the water.

A small pond can decorate and diversify any suburban area. And it will be even more pleasant if you build such a pond with your own hands. It may seem complicated, but with quality instructions, there should be no problems.

Floating flock of ornamental fish the best decoration pond

Traditionally, work begins with preparatory activities.

Stage 1. Decide on the place and size

First, we determine the place in which the decorative pond will be located. To do this, we take into account the following points:

• there should not be trees near, because their roots can damage the bottom of the structure, and the leaves can clog the water;
• the place should be open, as well as illuminated by the sun for at least 6 hours a day (this will increase the intensity of algae reproduction without infringing on terrestrial plants);
• if possible, it is desirable to leave room for future expansion of the pond;
• the area of ​​the reservoir should not exceed 3% of the total area.

In a word, the smaller the area, the easier it is to carry out construction works. In terms of depth, the reservoir is divided into three levels:

• for plants near the shore;
• shallow water for winter-hardy water lily;
• a deepening in which fish will winter (if we breed them).

Note! It is undesirable to make the reservoir too deep - it is quite enough to make a deepening of 1.6-1.8 meters (that is, below the freezing level of the soil). The area of ​​deepening should not exceed one fifth of the entire pond.

Stage 2. Decide on the material

There are a lot of materials that can serve as the basis for a decorative pond, but the most popular of them are the options below.

Due to the fact that the construction of a decorative reservoir from a mold can hardly cause any difficulties, we will consider the second construction option in more detail.

Prices for finished ponds and bowls for ponds and fountains

Ready-made ponds and bowls for ponds and fountains

Stage 3. We prepare consumables

The work will require:

• PVC film;
• ruberoid;
• stones are round;
• rope;
• stone slabs;
• shovel;
• sand;
• bricks;
• fine gravel.

Having prepared everything you need, proceed to the next step.

Stage 4. Dig the pit

Step 1. First, we create a sketch of the future reservoir on a scale, indicating the dimensions and width of the curtains (shelves for plants, that is, the upper step of the structure). This will help to avoid possible difficulties not only during construction, but also during planting.

We also think over the accent of the composition - a large original stone, for example, a sculpture or just a tree.

Step 2. With the help of a rope or sand, we outline the intended contour of the reservoir. Be sure to check that all the banks are at the same level, after which, using a shovel, we cut the turf along the perimeter of the pond.

Step 3. Now let's start excavation. First, we dig a pit to a depth of the first level (about 30-40 cm) and mark a line from which it will be buried to the second mark (90 cm). Next, we create the deepest level (up to 1.8 meters if we plan to breed fish), extract the last portion of the soil.

Note! It is recommended to regularly check the level of the banks during the digging of the pit. In the absence of a water level of the appropriate length, you can take a simple long board and attach a 50-centimeter device to it.

Step 4. To dig a reservoir, it is advisable to use the services of specialists in this kind of work, accompanied by a small excavator, because this work is quite difficult. But if it was decided to do this stage of work with your own hands, then you should be prepared for the fact that moisture will accumulate in the pit and you will have to dig in dirty slurry. A pump can be used to remove water (but only specially designed for pumping liquid with solid particles). Nearby, you can dig another hole to dump water into it.

Step 5. Carefully inspect the bottom of the finished pit for branches, sharp stones and anything that can damage the film. We check the horizontality of the banks, if necessary, align them.

Step 6. Along the perimeter of the pond, we dig a ditch 20 cm deep to fix the film. Then, using a rope, we measure the dimensions to determine the required size of the film, add 0.5 m on each side.

When conducting earthworks you may encounter the problem of where to put the earth from the pit. An excellent solution to this problem is to raise the level of the site by evenly distributing the soil over the entire garden area. Another option is also possible - to use the land for the construction of an alpine slide.

Stage 5. We lay the film

Step 1. We cover the bottom of the pit with a 15-centimeter sand "cushion", carefully tamp it down.

Step 2. To protect the PVC film from damage, we lay a layer of roofing material (we overlap).

Step 3. We cover the bowl of the reservoir with a film. We do it freely, with a small margin along the banks. We press the ends of the film with bricks.

Note! To increase the elasticity of the film, it is advisable to carry out laying on a sunny day - under the influence of temperature, the film will stretch better and easily bend around all the protrusions of the pit.

Step 4. We fill the pond with water, but we are in no hurry to cut off the excess film. It is necessary to wait approximately 24 hours for the PVC coating to take its final volume. Then we cut the film, lay its edges in a pre-made trench, turn it up and fill it with rubble.

Note! Often the width of the film is not enough for the whole pond. In such cases, several pieces are interconnected by soldering.

Prices for various types of pond films

Pond film

Stage 6. We equip a decorative pond

Step 1. In order to prevent the earth from shedding into the bowl of the reservoir, we strengthen the edge. This can be done with:

• stone blocks;
• plastic pipes nailed to pegs.

We lay out the edge with natural stone (although brick, tile, and other materials can also be used), decorate with a group of boulders or one large block.

Step 2. We lay out the bottom of the reservoir with rubble or stones. Then we place the pre-prepared plants in plastic containers and arrange in curtains. It is advisable to use plants that saturate with oxygen (such as hornwort, water lily, swamp, etc.). After that, the pond can be finally filled with water.

Note! For correct selection hydrochemical preparations and a pump, it is necessary to measure the volume of the reservoir. To do this, when changing the water, read the water meter readings before / after the filling procedure.

Step 3. We can make a small stream for the permanent circulation of water - this will prevent the latter from stagnation. To do this, we raise the source slightly above the level of the reservoir and set it to supply water from the bowl. We plan to decorate the mouth of the stream, for which you can use:

• stones;
• containers made of glass or clay;
• vegetable planting.

Step 4. Install at the bottom of the reservoir, stretch the pipes to the source and connect them to the cleaning filter. The latter must be pressure, that is, with the provided reverse cleaning, since it is much more efficient than usual.

Everything, ready! It remains only to regularly clean it from dirt, use special means, which revitalizes the water and prevents excessive growth of algae, as well as remove plants for the winter.

When building a pond, it is difficult to avoid some mistakes, especially the compositional plan. For this reason, you need to be aware of the common mistakes gardeners make.

Plant growing zones	Plants
coastal zone	Conifers, elderberry, ferns, meadowsweet, lilies of the valley, bergenia, etc.
Coastline	Gubastik, fluffy, marigold, veronica handrail, highlander snake, forget-me-not, etc.
Plants for decorating shallow water (up to a depth of 5-20 cm.)	Calamus, reeds, umbrella susak, cattail, arrowhead, etc.
Deep water plants 30-150 cm	Water lily, jug
Plants for decorating the surface of the water (floating on the surface of the water)	Duckweed, water paint, telorez

Finally, having planned the independent construction of a pond, first practice - make, for example, a miniature pond, and only then move on to larger compositions. This will greatly increase your chances of success.

Good luck with your work!

Video - Creating a pond in the country