Make a home pond. Artificial pond in the country: how to create and design. Decoration of the banks of an artificial reservoir

Even in a small area, you can equip a quite decent artificial pond, sacrificing only a few beds. It won't cost much. In order to create a pond at your dacha with your own hands, you will only need geotextiles, PVC film or polyethylene and a few days of free time.

Choosing a location for an artificial pond

When choosing a location for a pond great value has it illumination. Since aquatic plants require enough sunlight, it should not be too shaded. But overheating the water too much is also undesirable, as this can lead to blooming of the surface.

The most suitable area for placing an artificial pond is a place near the fence in the corner of the garden, which is illuminated in the morning, but is in partial shade at noon. The pond should not be placed near large trees: growing roots can damage the covering of the pit. And during leaf fall, you will have to clean the pond of leaves almost every day.

It is better to place an artificial pond in partial shade

Pit preparation

The size of the artificial reservoir can be any - it all depends only on the desire of the owner and free space on the site. But it should be taken into account that a pond that is too large will require more care.

1. With the help of driven stakes and rope, markings are made in the selected place according to the shape of the pond.

2. The turf is removed along the perimeter of the marking.

3. A small pit can be dug with an ordinary shovel. To prevent the walls of the pit from crumbling, its walls must have slight slope. There is no need to make the artificial pond too deep. Minimum depth bowls - 60 cm (plus 30-40 cm for backfilling drainage with crushed stone and sand).

4. If fish are planned to be released into the pond, its depth should be lower soil freezing level in this climatic region. Otherwise, the water at the bottom will freeze and the fish will die. In the central part of Russia, the soil freezes to a depth of about 1.4-1.5 m.

5. For planting aquatic plants, it is better if the edges of the pit are stepped. The size of each of these steps is 10-15 cm.


Stepped pit for a pond

6. All large stones and branches that can damage the not very strong film are removed from the bottom of the pit.

7. Fill the bottom of the pit with drainage: crushed stone, and then sand in each layer of 20 cm and compacted.

8. To protect against soil erosion, a layer of geotextiles. It can be replaced with any durable fabric: old carpets, blankets, old oilcloth or roofing felt. This protective layer is laid with an overlap of about 50 cm on the edges of the pit.


Laying roofing felt

9. Next, you can lay it on the bottom of the reservoir plastic film(its shelf life is about 3 years), PVC film(it will last longer, about 15 years) or durable butyl rubber. To prevent the film from being damaged when filling with water, it must be laid without tension.


A film is placed on the bottom of the pit

10. Excess geotextile and film should not be cut off immediately. They will take the desired shape only after filling the pond with water. It is better to dig around the perimeter of the pit shallow trench, into which you can place the edges of the fabric and film and lightly cover it with earth.

11. After filling the artificial reservoir with water, stones are laid along its edges, which will not only hold the material covering the bottom of the pond, but also serve as decoration. The edges of such an artificial reservoir can be decorate And decorative tiles, slate, sandstone or other suitable sized stones or bricks.


Stones are laid along the edges of the reservoir

12. The area adjacent to the reservoir can be filled with crushed stone or marble chips.


Decoration of the edge of the pond

13. In the center or at the edge of the pond you can install a small artificial fountain.

14. Along the edges of the reservoir you can install several small lamps on solar powered.

Advice. If there is too little space on the site, a small artificial pond can be made from an old wheel or bathtub, buried in the ground and trimmed around the edge with stones (see photo).


A small artificial pond made from old bath


Pond from an old wheel

Pond cleaning

To clean a large body of water you can use the simplest system filtration: small pumping station With sand filter. Two pipes are installed into the pond: one serves to collect water, from the second, purified water will flow back into the pool. Additional purification can be provided by a small stream filled with sand, through which filtered water will flow before returning to the pool. It can flow into a pond over a small waterfall.


Pond filter

A small pond only needs to be cleaned manually once a season. To do this, you should completely pump out the water from it using submersible pump and remove accumulated dirt from the bottom. To clean the pond, you can also use a special vacuum cleaner equipped with a filter, which can be used to collect dirt from the bottom.


Vacuum cleaner for pond cleaning

Advice. If you place a vessel filled with charcoal, the water in it will not bloom for a long time.

Fallen leaves can be collected from the surface of the pond using a net. In autumn, during heavy leaf fall, the pond can be covered with a special net. To prevent dirt from entering during the winter, the pond is covered with any covering material.

Advice. To prevent the film from cracking in cold weather, it is better not to drain the water during the winter. To compensate for the pressure generated when ice expands, you can throw several wooden planks or plastic bottles filled with water.

Planting aquatic plants

Aquatic plants serve not only original decoration pond. Marshwort, hornwort, elodea and other plants that can saturate the reservoir with oxygen will help protect the water surface from greening.

Naturally, only those plants that can develop well in a given climatic region should be planted. To decorate the pond, you can use traditional plants: reeds, sedges, reeds. Large plants (lilies, water lilies) can cover the water surface from the bright scorching sun and reduce the heating of the water. TO flowering plants Those that prefer to settle near bodies of water include arrowhead, kupena, weeping grass, fern, bergenia, lungwort, water iris, etc.

Advice. To plant plants, you can use special containers that are placed along the bottom of the pit. In this case, caring for the plants will be much easier.


Planting aquatic plants

Video: Do-it-yourself pond at the dacha

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Artificial pond in the country can be a great place to relax on a hot summer day. To those people who have country houses on the shore of a lake or river, very lucky. Well, the rest will need to roll up their sleeves and arrange a pond in their dacha with their own hands.

We are drawing up a project

It is best to allocate a place for a future artificial pond still at the design stage summer cottage . In this case, the reservoir must:

  • Do not be exposed to prolonged exposure to direct sunlight - heated water provokes the growth of algae and the development of microorganisms. The water in the reservoir quickly becomes cloudy and will have a musty, unpleasant odor;
  • be on open area– branches and leaves from trees will quickly pollute the water, and root system may damage the bottom of an artificial reservoir;
  • be located so that later you can expand the size of the water surface if you want to convert the pond, for example, into a full-fledged complex - with a fountain, bridge, etc.

Professional builders it is advised to make the artificial reservoir shallow - since it will be mainly used as beautiful element surrounding landscape in the garden. In addition, you immediately need to think about how you will care for the pond on your site - there should be a convenient approach to it. Naturally, not through alpine slides or a vegetable garden.

The water in an artificial pond will need to be changed with your own hands, since it will not be purified naturally, unlike natural reservoirs. Therefore, you need to make sure that the well with water at your dacha is located close to your pond.

Selection of material for construction

Before you make a pond with your own hands, you need determine its basis. In this case, there are several solutions. Let's consider what an artificial pond can be made from.

Reinforced concrete

The most durable pond in the garden can be made using reinforced concrete. The bottom and coastal zone, reinforced with reinforcement and filled with concrete, will be able to withstand various additional loads - the installation of sculptural compositions, a fountain, etc.

The complexity of construction makes it impractical this technology organizing small ponds in the country. The disadvantages of this solution include significant cost. You will have to rent special equipment, use a lot building materials, and it will be possible to dismantle the installed reservoir only with great labor costs.

PVC film

A budget solution for the construction of an artificial pond in a country house. The depth and shape of this reservoir can be easily changed, its size reduced or increased. A pond on a site with a film base can even be made seasonal - for example, filled in with the arrival of winter and arranged again in the summer.

The disadvantages of this solution include the fragility and fragility of the PVC coating - the film can be easily damaged, and if the integrity of the bowl is damaged, water will easily drain into the ground. Therefore, swimming in these domestic ponds is not recommended - they made small in size and are used for garden decoration.

Store-bought artificial bowls

This is the golden mean for people who want to have their own pond in their garden and not have to worry about building materials to organize it. Store bowls for decorative ponds are made from durable and durable materials- fiberglass or polyvinyl chloride.

The first option is much more expensive. However, the cost of a fiberglass bowl is fully compensated by the excellent performance characteristics of this material. You can easily install this bowl with your own hands, without involving outside help in this process. The disadvantage can be considered the purchase of ready-made standard forms - that is, the foundation pit must be made to fit the shape of the bowl, and not vice versa.

Moreover, the possibility of constructing uneven terrain bottom to design natural coastlines. In addition, this method of organizing a pond in the garden will cost much more than a pond made from scrap materials or film.

Available materials

Enough interesting option– use of different available containers or materials. Old troughs, cast iron baths quite suitable for construction.

The advantage of this method is that there is no need to build bulky reinforced concrete structures or purchase standard forms. The disadvantages include the low decorativeness of old containers - you will need to use your imagination to turn an old bathtub into a make a work of art.

For example, for people who have catastrophically little space in their dacha, experts advise using a convenient and simple tire pond. Old tires are dug in, film is laid inside, and the banks are decorated.

The resulting pond can surprise even professional designers - the finished pond will be an exclusive element of the landscape interior.

Pit

Then, when you have decided on the material for construction, you need to dig a pit. This work is best done in the summer, when groundwater leave as much as possible. The depth of the pit is determined based on the type of material from which they decided to make the bowl. If this is an old bathtub or another ready-made mold, dig a hole 25-30 cm deeper than the dimensions of the mold.

If you decide to make a pond from PVC film, then you will need to dig to a depth of about 70-90 cm - a small pond will completely freeze in winter, dry out quickly and heat up in the summer. For reservoirs made of reinforced concrete, you will need to dig a pit more than 1.5 meters deep - here you cannot do without special equipment.

Let's look at the stages of work for building a pond at the dacha with your own hands for various types selected materials.

PVC film pond

When the pit is ready, all that remains is to clean its bottom and dig a future mini-pond on the sides small terraces. The depth of these terraces is approximately 30 cm and the width is about 25 cm. The bottom of the pit is compacted, pebbles, crushed stones, stones and other foreign objects are removed. The cleaned bottom is sprinkled with sand and covered with geotextile fabric. This bottom preparation will significantly improve the strength of the base coating and also extend the life of the film.

The next step is laying the film covering. The size of the film can be calculated as follows: take the total length of the reservoir and add twice the depth of the pit. The film sheet is fixed on the terraces with a margin of approximately 30 cm. The laid sheet is laid with stones or bricks - this must be done to preserve its laying shape.

Then you need to fill the pond with water, check the integrity of the film and begin decorating the coastal zone. No need right away cut off the remaining film under bricks, as it can shrink over time.

Pond from the bath

To build a pond from an old bathtub or other unnecessary container you will need:

  • crushed stone;
  • a piece of mesh;
  • sand and cement;
  • a coil of steel or aluminum wire;
  • beautiful stones for decoration.

After the pit has been dug, it is necessary to make its edges. Why do we remove the top along the entire perimeter of the future pond? a layer of earth about 45-50 cm wide. This perimeter is deepened so that it is level with the shape of the reservoir. The drain hole in the bathroom is closed, then it is installed at the bottom of the pit.

To extend the operating time of the future mini-pond, it is necessary to protect the enamel on the inner surface of the bowl. Why the sides and bottom of the bathroom can be treated with tile adhesive. After this, the bath is allowed to dry thoroughly. As a rule, this takes at least several days.

Then a chain-link mesh is laid around the entire perimeter of the bowl. It is required to reinforce the bottom and sides of the reservoir. Apply to the mesh cement-sand mixture or concrete mortar and let it dry. Then comes the final design of the banks.

Pond from a ready-made mold

The pit dug for the form, cleared of debris, branches and other items. The walls and bottom of the pit are compacted. When the soil at the dacha is very loose, it needs to be strengthened. The finished form requires a perfectly flat plane of the sides and bottom of the pit. The surface can be leveled using a building level.

Then the bottom must be filled with sifted sand, which must also be compacted. The sand layer is an excellent preservative that will ensure the integrity of the finished bowl.

After this, the bowl is placed in the pit and water is poured. The resulting voids between the ground and the sides of the mold are filled with sand; this must be done gradually. First, 20-25 cm of sand is poured, which is moistened with water. After distributing the sand, this process must be repeat until the voids are completely filled between the walls of the pit and the form.

This must be done, since the pond mold is very fragile and can be easily deformed. Uniform pressure over the surfaces of the bowl will prevent it from bending.

After a day, check the gap between the ground and the sides of the bowl. If there are voids left, add sand. We pour the water out of the mini-pond, clean it completely and pour in clean water.

Plant selection

Planted on the shore part of the pond small plants. Hostas can create a picturesque picture on the shore of a pond; green ones prefer partial shade, and blue ones prefer shade.

Sedge also grows well in the shade with narrow leaves, which sometimes grow up to 80 cm. In partial shade, the unpretentious loosestrife feels good with attractive inflorescences purple . You can plant molinia in a sunny area.

A fern will perfectly decorate the shore of a pond located in partial shade. It grows well on moist soil. The same conditions are suitable for astilbe. Its low-growing varieties are suitable for planting near a pond.

If the body of water is quite large, plant darmera (peltiphyllum) on the shore - perennial in the form of bushes up to 1 m high and up to 0.5 m in diameter with notched round leaves.

On the second level in the reservoir, water lilies are traditionally placed. Hybrid nymphs are characterized by a variety of flower colors. There is no need to overload the pond with a large number of specimens, they grow and only interfere with each other.

Sunny shallow water is great place for calamus. In a small reservoir, low calamus grass looks organic, and in a large reservoir, marsh calamus looks organic. Some varieties of irises also prefer low water.

The unpretentious whitewing is a fairly popular plant for home ponds. At the beginning of summer, a cob-shaped flower appears on it, and then red berries appear. We must remember that they are poisonous.

Aquatic hawthorn, which smells like vanilla, grows well in water, reaching a diameter of 50 cm. It is a deep-water plant. The miniature Azolla floating on the surface, covering the pond with a green carpet, looks original. However, you will need to fight it by periodically catching bushes.

How to turn your suburban area to real heaven? Just. Need to create beautiful place, pleasing to the eye. And where the soul rests, there the mood improves and vitality increases.

One of the brightest touches in landscape design can be decorative pond in the country, comfortably located among 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 work 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 body of water that is part landscape composition. Their purpose is to decorate a corner of the garden and please the eye. Active recreation near such a pond is not expected.

Decorative 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.

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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.

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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.

The geometrically correct shape of the 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, natural look, creates the effect of closeness 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. A flat surface makes it possible to arrange a pond of any configuration. Changes and irregularities 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.

A high pond minimizes excavation work, is easier to maintain and is suitable for families with small children (the edge is equipped with a fence with railings). Such a pond can be built near a covered terrace, making it not only an element of landscape design, but also a place of relaxation.

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 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).

  • electricity 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 must 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.

Plastic bowl (container).

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 disadvantage is their high cost, difficulty in transportation (if the volume is large) 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 most best option- This is a bowl (form) for a pond made of fiberglass, reinforced with a rubber base. The undoubted advantage of fiberglass is reliability and maintainability.

Polymer film.

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.

PVC film has a longer life. At correct installation and with proper care it will last more than 10 years. Tip: instead of PVC film, you can use advertising banners (transparencies). They are trying to get rid of used banners and they can be bought inexpensively. Butyl rubber pond film. Most reliable material(rubber) for waterproofing a reservoir. Experts recommend butyl rubber membrane (EPDM) for those who have a rocky bottom, a lot of roots, or a significant pool depth. The service life of butyl rubber is 50 years. It can withstand repeated freezing.

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 a bright color and installed in a beautiful corner of the garden. Or you can dig deep into the soil and get a small country pond even with a fountain.

Pond from a tire (pond from a tire or from a wheel)

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 site no worse than a full-fledged reservoir.

Decorative pond made of plastic bottles.

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 the pond has a direct impact on the arrangement, appearance and its service life.

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 your 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: to prevent the film from tearing in winter, you need 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 into 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 arrange alpine slide or level the surface of the 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 encounter 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;

Practical users believe that the optimal slope for the shore of a reservoir 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 strengthening the shore of the 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 stone 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 bank design.

  • 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

  • protection of the pond from leaves will be provided by a mesh structure on a light 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.
  • a net is useful to clear the pond of leaves;
  • 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 bottle is enough. square meter containers.

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.

Benefits of a basin pond:

  • arrangement takes a minimum of time;
  • fits perfectly into the design of any site;
  • if necessary, the pond in the basin can be easily moved to another area of ​​the yard;
  • requires minimal care;
  • is budget option, requires virtually no financial costs.

Artificial pond from a basin very easy to do. Take an old metal or plastic basin and dig it into the ground. If the basin is full of holes, then cover its bottom with construction film. It is desirable that it be thick and durable. If desired, the bottom of the basin can be decorated with stones and shells. A pond already filled with water is decorated with live or artificial plants, and the “banks” of the reservoir are lined with natural stone or pebbles. You can also lay out paving slabs.

A mini-pond from a basin will be much stronger if the bottom and walls of the basin coat cement mortar . In addition, if you plan to put frogs in a pond, it will be much easier for them to get to the surface on a cement surface than on a slippery film.

The solution is prepared as follows: mix cement and sand in a ratio of 1:3 and dilute with water. Stir well until the sour cream becomes thick, so that there are no lumps left, and coat the basin. Layer thickness - 2cm. While the solution at the bottom of the basin has not hardened, you can make various compositions from stones in it. The basin, covered with cement, is left to dry for at least a day. After this, it can be painted with black water-repellent paint. When the basin is filled with water, the black color will give the surface of the water a mirror effect.

For mini-reservoirs with aquatic plants, it is better to use basins with a depth of more than 15 cm. In shallow basins, the water will heat up quickly in the summer, and in frosts it will freeze to the bottom and the plants will die.

Device

In order for a decorative pond to please the eye, first of all, it is necessary to choose the right place for the pond.

Basic selection rules:

  1. Choose a place in partial shade, so the water will bloom less, and aquatic plants will not wither in the sun.
  2. Avoid open and well-ventilated places.
  3. You should not place the pond under trees, otherwise you will constantly have to remove leaves from the water, and the water will become clogged.

    4. The pond should be located so that it is clearly visible from everywhere. Choose a place so that the reflections in the pond are interesting and varied. For example, it could be clouds, trees, a house.

    As a visual aid when choosing a place for a pond from a basin, you can use ordinary plastic film. Place it on the site of the planned pond, and walk around, see: will the pond be visible from the main viewing points of your site?

Installation

How to make a small decorative pond from a basin at your dacha? The basin is made, the place is chosen, now we begin to build a mini-pond with our own hands.

Tools and materials:

  1. Shovel.
  2. Pump (if a fountain is planned).
  3. Clay or sand for layering.
  4. A small amount of cement mortar.
  5. Natural stone of different sizes.
  6. Pebbles for soil or gravel with non-sharp edges (if the basin is covered with film).

Stages of work:

  1. Dig a hole slightly larger than your pelvis. The edges of the basin should rise 5 cm above the ground.
  2. Make a layer of clay or sand under the bottom of the basin and between the walls of the basin and the pit. Such a “pillow” will allow you to place the basin more level, and the water in it will not heat up quickly.
  3. The dug basin is filled with cement mortar around the edges. This is necessary so that the reservoir holds on more tightly and so that during rain the earth does not wash out from under the edges.
  4. Soil is placed at the bottom of the basin, and aquatic plants (duckweed, watercolor, water urt) are planted in it. You can decorate the pond with artificial flowers.
  5. Fill the basin with water.
  6. The area around the pond is decorated with pebbles or stones. It will look better when large stones are laid out first, and then medium and small ones.
  7. You can plant moisture-loving plants, such as ferns or callas, next to the pond, and plant the adjacent area with lawn grass.

    8. If the water in the pond comes from a tap, it must first be allowed to settle. The best option is water from the nearest natural reservoir, but you can also use rainwater.

Photo of finished ponds from a basin.

Caring for a pond from a basin

For a miniature water garden to be clean and well-groomed, it needs change the water regularly. Water is scooped out from the pond using a jar or ladle. If there are no plants planted at the bottom, choose pebbles and wash them with water. If the soil is shallow and difficult to select, then pour a small amount of water and mix the soil with your hand, and then remove the water with a rag. This is repeated several times.

Walls and bottom of the basin wash with a sponge or rag. This should be done about once a month, otherwise the water will begin to “bloom” and microorganisms will appear in it.

In nature, the role of natural orderlies of reservoirs is played by snails. Therefore, you can populate your mini-pond with them so that they clean both the plants and the pond itself from algae.

In hot weather, water from a water garden evaporates very quickly, and you need to constantly ensure that its level is sufficient. Add water it is necessary in small portions and slowly, so as not to damage the plants and decorative compositions at the bottom of the pond. If necessary, the pond can be protected in hot weather with an awning or canopy.

A miniature pond from a basin can be made on any site, and there are a great many ways to decorate it, it all depends on the author’s imagination.

If you follow all the simple rules for arranging and maintaining such a mini-pond, the artificial water garden will become a real one. decoration of the country landscape and the pride of the owners.