How to Set-Up a Self-Sustaining Pond

A pond adds an exciting new dimension to your garden. Many of us have a fascination with water and even if your pond doesn’t have a waterfall or fountain, it could still become a focal point in your garden.Four years ago I installed a small pond and this article is based on my experience.

I wanted a self-sustaining pond which required minimal maintenance, which would become a home for fish, frogs and other aquatic life, and which would not become a smelly, stagnant pool. My knowledge and experience of ponds was limited and I did not have much of a budget.

The first step was to acquire a liner. These are available in rigid or flexible form – I was fortunate enough to be offered an old rigid liner which was still in good condition, and which was the right size for our relatively small garden. I then had to decide on a location which suited the garden and pond life.

I decided to select a spot which received the full sun in the morning and the early afternoon, but which would be in shade from the mid-afternoon and evening. This meant there was a balance of light and shade which I hoped would suit a wide variety of plants and animals.

I then dug a hole for the liner so that the top of the pond would be flush with the ground level. This was important to attract animals such as frogs; if the pond was set too high it would be difficult for them to get into. I wanted to create a wildlife pond rather than an ornamental pond.

Filling the the liner with water took a considerable amount of effort. Fortunately I had a couple of rain water butts that were completely full and while it was not enough to fill the pond completely, it made a substantial contribution. I then filled it with water from the mains but this contains chlorine and takes about six weeks to become suitable for pond life. By mixing it with a large amount of rain water I could speed up that process.

The next stage was to put plants into the pond. In order to be self-sustaining it needed plants which would oxygenate the water and help keep it clear. I was given some free floating oxygenating plants which replicate relatively quickly and have proved very hardy. I was also given two water lily plants which have bloomed every year since they were installed.

Several weeks after setting up the pond I put in half-a-dozen goldfish. Some of them soon became sick and died, but within a year the survivors bred and created a new generation. All of the first generation fish have since died but the next generation are going well and have just come through their second winter. I have a pump to run a small waterfall, but this is only turned on a few days each year.

The pond is now fulfilling its objectives – it is surrounded by plants and is full of life. Every spring dozens of frogs appear to spawn and the water teems with tadpoles. Dragonflies come to visit from time to time, and smaller, bright blue damselflies often dance across the surface in the sunshine. I have proved that it is possible to create a self-sustaining garden pond with minimal knowledge and budget.

Written by Andrew Michaels as found on his site at Helium.

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