How to make a decorative pond in the garden. Pond in the country: varieties and do-it-yourself technology. Original do-it-yourself pond in the garden photo

Artificial pond - a spectacular component landscape design, designed to give peace and tranquility. What could be more pleasant than sitting in a gazebo covered with roses and admiring mirror surface reflecting snow-white clouds and flowering shrubs? Have you been dreaming of a small pond for a long time, but don’t have enough money to equip it? No problem. You can do it yourself without the help of specialists. All you need to do is read this article carefully and apply the acquired knowledge in practice! So, how to make an artificial pond: instructions for creating it yourself.

Artificial pond on site

Choosing the right place for the pond

Choosing the right place for a pond is a guarantee that it will really delight the eye with clean water, and not scare away others with the stormy summer “blooming”. An artificial pond should be illuminated by the sun 6-7 hours a day. It is important to find a middle ground, because... an excess of sun will lead to intensive reproduction of algae, and a lack of it will lead to the complete extinction of “ornamental inhabitants”.

The pond should be located on an open surface, at a relative distance from trees. Otherwise, you doom yourself to constantly fishing out branches and fallen leaves from it. In addition, as plant roots grow, they can damage the base or tear the film. Do not forget that your home lake needs to be cleaned and the water in it changed from time to time. It's good if the source clean water will be nearby - this will solve the filling problem.

Design of a recreation area with a small pond

Dimensions and design

As for the sizes, everything, of course, is individual and depends on the area of your property. It is believed that the reservoir should occupy approximately 3% of the area land plot. But that's up to you to decide. Do not make the pond too deep - it will be difficult to care for. Provide three degrees of depth. The first will belong to coastal plants, the second to water lilies, the third to fish.

If we talk about the design of the future reservoir, then you should start from your preferences and the style of the existing landscape. Do you want to emphasize the rigor and geometric nature of your home? Square or rectangular pond - The best decision. Those who dream of filling their space with oriental motifs should take a closer look at small irregularly shaped tanks bordered by smooth boulders and low trees with bright foliage.

Original artificial pond

Round ponds on a green lawn, surrounded by original lanterns, are very popular. You can build a bridge across a pond from decking boards, create flower beds nearby, form stone paths, thus creating the ideal atmosphere for a good rest.

A perfectly round pond

Materials for artificial pond

You can make a pond with your own hands from different materials. The most commonly used films are film, butyl rubber, or ready-made containers. Which option to choose is up to you. But first, let's look at their advantages and disadvantages.

PVC film. An excellent material for homemade ponds. You can easily build a structure of the desired shape. If dismantling is necessary, this will not be difficult. Affordable price film provides everyone with the opportunity to become the owner of a beautiful pond without significant financial costs. Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting the fragility of the material, i.e. After some time, you will have to worry about building a new reservoir.

The process of laying PVC film in a pit

Butyl rubber. Like PVC film, it allows you to create ponds of any shape, but has a lot of additional advantages. Rubber can withstand high loads and maintain excellent strength characteristics for a long time. Of course, these advantages directly affect the cost - in this case it will be an order of magnitude higher.

Butyl rubber for pond construction

Ready-made plastic tanks. The fastest way to get an attractive lake. Plastic containers are durable and resistant to adverse weather conditions, but have a limited range of sizes and shapes.

Not big pond from a finished tank

Some craftsmen build ponds from what they find in the garage - from old bath, barrels, a basin of suitable size, a trough and even tractor tires. Well, it can be so. Original and well worthy of attention.

Sequence of work

Creating a pond using PVC film is considered the most common, so we will consider it.

We make a plan. Before you begin work, sketch out a rough plan indicating the width and depth of the future pond. It is advisable to think about decoration in advance. This approach will allow you to avoid rework and, as a result, get what you wanted;
We outline the contours of the pond. This can be done using an ordinary hose or simply by scattering sand along the expected boundaries of the reservoir. Think again whether everything suits you - at this stage you can change something;
Digging a pit. We begin excavation work. We form the first two tiers of the reservoir. Approximate depth - 30 cm, width - 20 cm. Then we dig out the main bowl. Please note that the total depth must be greater than 80 cm. Otherwise, your pond will be too hot in summer and too cold in winter. In such conditions, it is unlikely that anyone or anything will live there;
We measure the dimensions. The pit is ready, now we measure its size and depth. It adds 50 cm at the edges, and with the obtained figures we can safely go to a specialized store to purchase the required amount of film;
Line the bottom and walls with film. To extend the life of polyvinyl chloride, geotextiles, linoleum, roofing felt are laid under it, or at least sand is poured. If you do this on a hot sunny day, you can achieve maximum elasticity from the material and easily give it the desired shape;
Fix the edge. To do this, we dig a trench, place the wrapped ends of the film in it and fill it with crushed stone for greater reliability. Plastic pipes nailed to pegs will help prevent the edges of the reservoir from crumbling;
We decorate the pond. Decorate the edges of the pond with stones, install a backlit fountain, and place containers with plants in the bowl. In the coastal zone you can settle marigold and marsh iris. In shallow water there are reeds and calamus. Deep water will become great place for water lilies, water hyacinth, elodea, aponogeton;
Fill with water. After graduation preparatory work, you can pour water into the pond. A stream that will ensure continuous circulation will help prevent stagnation. The source of the stream is raised above the level of the reservoir, and water is supplied using a pump resting at the bottom. Don't forget to install a cleaning filter.

Video: instructions for constructing a pond in a small area

The pond is ready. All that remains is to launch the fish. It is better to keep unpretentious crucian carp, koi carp and veiltails. The design of the surrounding area is a purely individual matter. Some will want to build a gazebo, others will want to create flower beds, and others will want to install a barbecue.

Koi carp in an artificial pond

How to properly care

Caring for an artificial pond does not require much effort or time. If the pond is dry, add water to it. In summer, remove string algae and weeds from around your home pond. In autumn, clear the pond of falling leaves. You can make your task easier and stretch a net over the water surface. With the onset of cold weather, the plants are transplanted into other containers and sent for the winter. The equipment is also removed. In the spring, the walls of the pond are scraped out of silt, and everything returns to normal.

As you can see, arranging a pond with your own hands is not such a difficult task. All you need is desire, a little free time and a little imagination. Go for it!

Are you constantly haunted by the feeling that your dacha is missing something? Look around you! Yes, there are flower beds, a gazebo, and a playground too. Do you have a small pond in which lilies swim or a fountain gurgles on your property? If not, then building a decorative pond with your own hands is not at all difficult.

Key issues in pond design

If you have made such a decision, do not immediately grab a shovel. First of all, decide on the following questions:

location of the pond on the site;
pond size and shape;
materials for pond construction;
vegetation for the pond, its decoration.

Don’t let difficulties scare you, they are all easily overcome. A small financial outlay, a few days of work, and the “crystal” dream of any summer resident will appear on your site - the quiet surface of a pond or a babbling fountain sparkling in the sun with a multi-colored rainbow.

Choosing a location for a decorative pond: it is important not to make a mistake

When choosing a place for a pond, keep in mind that the pond will not be a place for breeding fish or swimming, it will only serve decorative functions. However, it is very important that a natural ecological system be built for it, otherwise, instead of decoration, after some time you may end up with a “charming” swamp.

Carefully choose a place for an artificial pond so that over time it does not turn into a “charming” swamp

The illumination of the area is very important for placing a pond. On the one hand, coastal and aquatic plants need the sun, on the other hand, its excess is detrimental to the entire ecosystem.

When the summer is hot, the water in small ponds heats up so much that it becomes impossible to control the proliferation of algae, as a result, the inhabitants of such reservoirs die.

Ideal option is considered such when Sun rays warm up the pond only in the first or second half of the day. It is advisable for him to be in the shade during mass.

It is advisable to position the pond so that the sun's rays warm it only in the first or second half of the day

It is not difficult to determine the illumination of the future reservoir. It is enough to mark the contours of the future pond with a rope or white sand and monitor during the day which part of it will be illuminated by the sun.

Determine the level of illumination of the area allocated for the pond

If there is no house or garden buildings near the area allocated for the pond, a tree or bush can shade it. Trees with a weeping crown look very beautiful near the pond, but in this case you will have to regularly clean the water from fallen leaves.

The easiest way to build a pond with your own hands is to fit it into the existing landscape, using the lowest and wettest places in the garden. It can drain water from the site through drainage system.

If country cottage area flat, a place for a pond can be chosen on the border of the garden, marked by trees or bushes. You can also allocate a place next to the living creature. But then it is necessary to make between the water reach of the pond and the plantings smooth transition– a strip of perennials or ornamental grasses.

Do not surround the pond with a solid wall. Plant plants of different heights on the shore

The pond in the middle of the lawn doesn't look the best. If there are no other options, plant plants of different heights on the shore, but not as a solid wall - your gaze should slide along the mirror of the water.

The decorative pond next to it looks impressive and stylish. alpine slide or rock garden. By decorating the slide and the pond with the same shapes of stones, you can connect them into a single compositional whole.

A decorative pond will look especially impressive next to an alpine slide or rock garden.

The use of height differences and natural hills makes it possible to include a stream into such a composition, which will flow over the stones into the pond. In the future, such a composition can be supplemented with a decorative bridge.

Shape and style of the reservoir

A pond, as an element of landscape design, must correspond to a certain style. Round ponds are a favorite form of the English landscape.

Round ponds are widely used in English landscapes

Precise geometric shapes work best for a regular style. Irregularly shaped ponds that follow the shape of natural bodies of water are popular in classical Chinese and Japanese gardens.

An irregularly shaped pond will be an ideal addition to a Chinese or Japanese style garden.

Today it is not at all necessary to strive to ensure that a pond built with one’s own hands at the dacha has a natural or strict geometric shape. The main thing is that it should fit perfectly into the garden landscape.

The main thing is not the form and decor, but the harmonious unity with the surrounding landscape

Materials for the design of the shore and coastal zone are selected with special care

Materials for decorating the banks of a reservoir are selected very carefully. Clinker, a natural stone, wood or concrete should be in harmony with the facade of the house, path or retaining walls.

Materials for artificial pond

To arrange a pond at the dacha with your own hands, they use different waterproofing materials. Their choice depends on the shape and size of the pond. If the area of the reservoir does not exceed 5 sq.m., ready-made plastic bowls are preferably used.

Ready-made plastic bowls are convenient to use for arranging reservoirs with an area of no more than 5 sq.m.

They are very easy to install, and they will serve for decades. The disadvantage of plastic molds is that they have a strictly defined shape and small volume.

Those wishing to create a reservoir individual project, it is worth using a waterproofing film. It is very elastic and can be easily deformed to the desired shape. There are three types of this material.

The most commonly used is black PVC film(polyvinyl chloride). It lends itself perfectly to repair with glue. Therefore, if the need arises, it can be repaired.

Polyethylene film is cheaper than PVC, but it does not have the same elasticity and durability. If the polyethylene becomes leaky, you can “treat” it with self-adhesive tape.

Butyl rubber is considered the best film. The thickness of this film is selected depending on the depth of the pond and water pressure. For a reservoir whose depth does not exceed 80 cm, a film with a thickness of 0.8 mm is sufficient. If the depth is greater, the film thickness should be 1.2 - 1.5 mm.

The best option for an artificial pond - butyl rubber film. The free ends of the film can be masked with stones

On the shore of a reservoir, the bottom of which is made of film, the stones should slightly overhang the water. This way you can mask the free ends of the film.

Another option for arranging a reservoir is a monolithic concrete pit. For ponds with regular geometric shapes, this is the most convenient manufacturing method. Although, to build such a pond, you must have skills in working with concrete and be able to install formwork and reinforcement. In addition, it is necessary to very accurately plan the placement of the reservoir and all its parameters, since it is almost impossible to correct anything later.

The optimal solution for ponds with regular geometric shapes would be a monolithic concrete pit

The most difficult thing in constructing a concrete pit is pouring sloping walls with smooth transitions between terraces of different heights. In addition to concrete, in the construction of a monolithic pond bowl, reinforcing steel mesh is used, and internal surfaces The pit is also covered with a protective layer of fine-grained sand, which must be renewed at least once every two years.

Master class: creating a pond based on a rigid tank

Rigid containers are good because they are easy and quick to install. You can easily install such a container yourself, spending only 1-2 days.

Installing a rigid container is not difficult. By choosing a bowl with natural stone rims, you won’t have to worry about camouflage

If you manage to purchase a plastic bowl with edges designed to look like natural stone, the process will go even faster, because the problem of giving the banks a natural look will no longer exist.

Operating procedure

1. Place the prepared container in the place allocated for the pond. To prevent it from leaning, place it on bricks. Use light sand or lime to outline the edges of the container. In order for the pit to correspond to the topography of the tank, it is necessary to accurately mark out zones of different heights.

2. You need to dig the pit very carefully according to the markings, expanding and deepening them by 10 cm.

3. Install the bowl of the reservoir in the pit, using a level to make sure that the bowl is horizontal. If necessary, adjust the depth of the pit.

4. Fill the container one third with water and begin to fill the cracks with sand, periodically watering it with water.

Master class: creating a reservoir on a film basis

Using a waterproofing film, you can create a pond of any shape, even the most bizarre. Having decided on a place for the reservoir, we proceed to its construction.

1. Mark the contours of the pond banks with light sand or dry lime. Dig a ditch around the perimeter using a spade bayonet. Collect removed turf and fertile soil separately.

2. Again, use sand or lime to draw contours for different depths. The deepest place should be in the center of the reservoir. Gradually remove the soil from the shallower zone, and only then from the deepest.

3. Using a tape measure and string, calculate the required film size. To strengthen the banks, add another 50 cm to each side.

4. A layer of sand should be poured onto the bottom of the pit, and geotextiles or non-woven fabric should be placed on top. This will protect the film from contact with sharp stones and roots. Now you can cover the film.

5. Fill the reservoir with water gradually, pressing the bottom and terraces with stones. The film should settle gradually.

6. After a few days, start decorating the coastal zone. The edges of the film are carefully tucked in and stones and slabs are laid. The gaps between them are filled with pebbles and sand.

A quick way to create a pond mine from improvised means

I won’t talk about old bathtubs, buckets, barrels and basins, adapted and converted into garden ponds. It's very simple and primitive.

But with one in an interesting way creating a pond out of uselessness, I’ll introduce you anyway. I came across these photos while walking through the endless expanses of the Internet.

Making a decorative pond from an old car tire

The shape for the pond is an ordinary car tire. You can get hold of this “good stuff” at a landfill, at a tire shop, or in your husband’s garage.

How larger diameter tires, the larger the pond will be. Tires from KAMAZ, BELAZ wheels or the Belarus tractor will allow you to build a decent-sized pond. We cut off the top part of the tire.

Having folded the film in two layers, we line the bottom and sides of the tire. We bend the edges of the film under the sides.

We fill the pond with water and decorate the banks with stones and plants.

Choosing plants for the pond and coastal zone

In the balance of the ecosystem of a reservoir, even a very small one, special role allocated to plants - those that grow on the shore and those that live in the water. Therefore, you need to select them especially carefully.

Design of the coastal zone

Lovers of natural style, as a rule, prefer large bodies of water. Their banks are impressive with lush vegetation, which belongs to the local flora: loosestrife, loosestrife, and marsh iris. There are also tall plants such as reeds and darmera.

Artificial pond in natural style impressive lush vegetation

Reservoirs in a regular style are characterized by strict symmetry. Plants on the shore are planted in a certain order. Large rectangular slabs are laid around the pond. Wooden decking and embankments look stylish.

Japanese-style ponds create a special atmosphere of tranquility and unique charm. This is facilitated by the harmony of the stone with skillfully selected plants, decorative bridges and other accessories.

Japanese-style ponds give the viewer a feeling of harmony and tranquility

If there is enough space on the shore, you can plant tall perennials

For decorative ponds, which can most often be found at our dachas, the main thing is a spectacular appearance. If there is enough space on the shore, tall perennials are planted: gunnera, rogersia, hosta, bergenia, marsh iris, astilbe. Between the stones, closer to the water, you can plant sedum, sedum, and forget-me-nots.

Aquatic plants for ponds

Special attention should be given to the selection of aquatic plants for a small pond

For small ponds, it is very important to choose the right plants that will float on the surface of the water. There shouldn't be many of them. Dwarf water lilies, water hyacinth, water buttercup, duckweed not only decorate a small pond, they saturate it with oxygen, thereby supporting its vital activity.

Choosing aquatic plants, be sure to find out how quickly they grow. Otherwise, it may happen that over the summer your decorative pond will become covered with wild thickets, due to which the water will not be visible at all.

To control development fast growing plants, it is better to plant them not in the ground, but in special containers or “pockets” made of jute, which are attached to coastal stones. Heat-loving specimens will find their place in containers, which, with the onset of cold weather, are moved to a trough with water and transferred to the cellar.

It is very important to know at what depth to plant aquatic plants. Garden ponds are conventionally divided into five zones of different depths.

A zone with a depth of up to 10 cm is considered coastal; it forms a swamp or wet meadow. Marsh iris, weeping weed and marigold feel excellent here.

Shallow water (depth from 10 to 40 cm). Plants with tubular stems do well here - reeds, calamus, and verticillate.

The deep-water zone begins at 40 cm. This is the habitat of plants with floating leaves - nymphs, as well as Aponogeton bispica, arrowhead, elodea - plants that hide under water.

To prevent the pond from freezing in winter and to preserve the plants in it, its depth should be at least 80 cm.

Filters and pumps for decorative ponds

To ensure that the reservoir is always clean and the water is fresh, experts recommend equipping it with a filter and a pump for pumping water. Small pumps look like containers. They can easily be hidden under stones. A specialist will help you choose the right pump for your pond. After all, the power of the pump is determined by the volume of water.

Having chosen a place for the pump and placing it on a concrete slab or brick, you need to mark the laying line water pipe and electrical cable. The cable is placed in a special reinforced tube and, together with the water pipe, is masked with small stones and pebbles. The pump is turned on electrical circuit through the circuit breaker. The water filter needs to be changed regularly.

On the shore of a reservoir you created with your own hands, you can organize cozy area recreation

All these simple tips that you have read will allow you to complete your creative task perfectly, and the place near the pond will become not only a habitat for dragonflies and butterflies, but also a favorite vacation spot for the whole family.

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 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, it is of great importance 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: Expanding roots can damage the pit covering. 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 the 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. The required form they will accept 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 batteries.

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 an old bathtub

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 at the bottom of a pond, 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. Flowering plants 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

Beautiful pond on garden plot Many summer residents dream of building one. However, not everyone can boast of a large area of land, trying in vain to place a vegetable garden, fruit trees, as well as several flower beds with their favorite flowers. In addition, the construction of a pond involves significant costs, which not everyone can afford.

A small charming pond is not difficult to build yourself

Several options for a small pond

Our photos show various options artificial reservoirs in summer cottages. Among them you can find budget ones and you can choose one of the simplest ones. In addition, the choice of option should be determined by the composition of the soil, as well as the availability of free space in the garden or yard. It’s easy to build a mini pond with your own hands if you have the appropriate building materials on hand. Available materials can serve as the main argument in finding a solution.

Film pond - a universal solution

To prevent water from escaping from a homemade pond, it must be sealed. In a good way the use of film is considered. If you want to save money, you can use leftovers polyethylene film, which was purchased for greenhouses, but such a reservoir will last only a few years.

If it is possible to purchase a butyl rubber-based film, which is designed specifically for constructing ponds, the life of the pond will significantly increase. A compromise option is dense polyvinyl chloride film.

It happens that the remnants of the film are scattered pieces - in this case they can be glued together to obtain a coating of the desired size. To do this, it is advisable to use a special glue, which can also be used to seal cuts and other material defects.

A film pond allows you to build a pond of any shape and size

In addition to the main material, you will need sand, geotextile and stones. To arrange a pond with your own hands, you should act according to the plan:

Mark the area for the pond. You should not arrange it right in the garden next to fruit trees. It is advisable to choose a flat surface so that the bank levels are the same height - otherwise the water from the pond will pour out on one side.
Dig a pit, making sure that its walls are flat, which will allow the banks not to crumble during operation. The angle of inclination of the pit walls should be up to 45˚. If desired, the banks can be made into ledges.
Next, you need to carefully compact the bottom of the pit, and then fill it with sand to a height of 5–10 cm. Lay a piece of geofabric on the sand; some craftsmen replace it with old blankets.
Now the pond can be lined with film. This should be done slowly, trying to immediately straighten any wrinkles that arise. Place the edges of the covering on the banks.
You need to pour water into the reservoir in parts, this will prevent the coating from tearing. It is recommended to take a two-hour break between each stage.
Once again we check the level of the banks and, if necessary, level them by adding soil. We secure the waterproofing along the entire shore using stones.

Important: it is best to work with film in the summer, on a hot day. This will make all manipulations with the material easier, since it will be softer.

A small pond made of a plastic bowl under guard

Plastic bowl - quick and easy

If you don’t want to work with film, you can speed up the work on building a small pond. To do this, you should choose a ready-made PVC bowl. Similar containers are sold in construction stores and may vary in shape and size. In addition, plastic inserts differ markedly in price and quality. Low-quality plastic quickly breaks down under the influence of frost and ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The choice is yours. Below are instructions for installing a reservoir with your own hands:

First you need to mark the place for the pit. To do this, drive pegs around the perimeter (corners) and tie them with rope. Perform marking more sizes bowls 20cm on all sides. Dig a pit with a depth equal to the height of the bowl plus 20cm.
Now you need to fill the bottom of the hole with sand, achieving it flat surface, – this can be checked using a level. Moisten the sand and compact it. Next, place the bowl in the pit, trying to ensure that its edges are level with the surface of the earth.
When the bowl is installed, it is necessary to pour sand between its side parts and the walls of the pit (in the same reserve of 20 cm). The sand should be poured in and compacted lightly as the bowl is filled with water. This will avoid deformation of the tank walls.
You should not pour water into the bowl all at once, but in small portions. A sudden load on the plastic can lead to distortion and damage.

The easiest way to make a small pond is from a plastic bowl

Concrete pit - a reliable option

The method of constructing an artificial pond from concrete is suitable for those who know how to work with concrete. Such a pond has an undoubted advantage over its counterparts - it is reliable and durable. However, it will not be possible to move it to another place; therefore, before starting work, it is worth thinking carefully about its configuration and choosing the most suitable one. appropriate place Location on. Let's take a closer look at how to build a concrete pond with your own hands:

The pit under the pond should be made with ledges. Let its walls be flat; here it is also important to adhere to an angle of up to 45˚. The hole needs to be compacted well.
Next, you need to fill in the sand, but the layer should be small - 3 cm is enough. On top of the sand you need to lay a film of polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride, which should not be pulled too tightly.
It is necessary to lay concrete starting from the walls, and only then move to the bottom. It is important to complete this work within one day to avoid cracking of the concrete at the joints.
Next, you need to wait until the composition hardens slightly, and then press a metal mesh into it to reinforce the concrete. This must be done so that the edges of the mesh protrude above the surface of the reservoir.
After the concrete has completely dried, it is necessary to pour the next layer. Before starting work on the second layer, the lower concrete must be sprinkled with water. Experts recommend at this moment to check the bottom surface to ensure that it is horizontal.

As soon as upper layer When the concrete is completely dry, you can pour water into the pool. Then start decorating it - planting plants on the banks, introducing fish or arranging lighting.

Miniature pond plus scrap materials

Budget options for creating ponds in the countryside involve using all kinds of available materials, instead of buying a bowl or film. Some craftsmen build a pond from an old cast iron or children's bathtub, while others were able to adapt car tire or an old basin. The pond will turn out to be quite small, but caring for the mini pond is not difficult. Changing water is easier than in a large tank, and with the help of plants in tubs and decorative stones it can easily be turned into a blooming oasis.

Preparing a pit for a pond from a bathtub

After many years of use, the bathtub loses its original appearance. If there is no through holes, it can be used at the dacha for a makeshift pond. To build a small pond without high costs, you need:

First you need to mark the place under the pond, and then add 10 centimeters on each side. Dig a pit, the depth of which will be 20 cm greater than the height of the bath.
Now you need to mark at the bottom of the hole the place where the bowl drain will be located. There you need to dig a hole with a diameter of 30 cm and a depth of half a meter. This will be drainage. You need to insert a rolled sheet of metal into a cylindrical hole and fill it with crushed stone. The edge of the metal should protrude 15-25cm above the pit.
After preparing the drainage, you need to make a “cushion” for the bath, which will allow it not to sag over time. To do this, a layer of crushed stone is poured onto the bottom of the pit and sand on top. This pillow should be about 20cm high. All this must be thoroughly compacted, after which the sheet of metal should be removed.

At correct installation bath pond will last for many years

Pit for a two-level pond

If you decide to build a pond from an old bathtub, you can make it quite unusual. We propose to create a two-level pond with your own hands, the construction of which will require a little more effort. Work plan, step by step:

Before digging a pit for a bathtub, you need to mark the area, adding half a meter on each side. The external outlines should be slightly modified - make this line wavy, giving it a contour reminiscent of the natural outlines of a lake.
Now you can start digging a pit. To do this, you need to dig a hole 30-40 cm deep, focusing on the external contours. Next, at the bottom of the dug pit, you need to mark the outline for the bathtub and deepen the pit under the bowl as described above. That is, the total depth of the pit will be greater than in the first option by the same 30-40 cm.
When the bathtub is installed, the outer contour of the reservoir should be limited by fiberglass slate. A corrugated hose must be placed on the edge of the slate.
Next, the space that has formed between the bathtub and the slate must be filled with sand and compacted, or filled with concrete.
The bowl must be covered with film, forming a single pool for water. The film should be secured with stones.

A two-level pond is more difficult to make, but no one will guess that a bathtub is used in the pond

Installing a bath

After preparing the place for the bath, bricks should be laid at the bottom of the pit - several bricks in each corner, on which the bath is installed. This precaution will prevent the bulky container from sagging. Next, you should check how level the bathtub is installed and make sure that its edge is level with the ground. There is empty space between the walls of the bathtub and the pit. It must be covered with sand, which must be moistened and compacted thoroughly.

Mini pond made from a tire

If it is possible to use old tire, you can easily and quickly build a miniature tire pond with your own hands. A tire from a KAMAZ wheel or tractor will make it possible to make the reservoir much larger.

First you need to dig a pit of such a size that the tire can easily fit into it. Before installing it in the hole, you need to cut off the top of the rubber with a knife. You should end up with a bowl with a hole at the bottom. Next, you need to take the film, cover the bottom and sides of the tire with it, bringing the edges up. They need to be tucked over the edges of the tank. All that remains is to pour water into the finished tire pool and decorate its edges with plants and stones. In a similar way, you can build a pond from a plastic basin.

A tire pond will not take up much space and will be an excellent garden decoration.

Several ways to decorate a pond

Today there are many ways to decorate a mini pond. Among them are the installation of plaster figures on its banks, the laying of decorative stones and tiles. Any body of water will be decorated with greenery, which can be placed around it directly in flowerpots. In other cases, soil is poured on the banks of the lake, interspersed with stones. Moisture-loving perennials are planted in the ground, which over time form beautiful thickets on the shore.

A small waterfall and beautiful lilies decorate and enliven the pond

If you want to plant aquatic plants, you need to ensure that they do not grow too much. Otherwise, the surface of the pond will be completely covered with greenery. Experts recommend using water hyacinth for this purpose.

You can also decorate the pond with a bridge and install lanterns around it. Another way to enliven the water of an artificial pond is a fountain or waterfall. All this can be built later, the main thing is to take into account the possibility of modernizing the pond at the stage of choosing a place for the pond.

How nice it is to enjoy beautiful images of nature, to breathe clean air. And there is a wonderful place for this - the dacha. Here you can realize your ideas. One of them is building a pond at the dacha with your own hands. Near such a body of water it will not only be pleasant to relax, but also boldly show off to your guests the masterpiece you created with your own hands. The size of the pond will depend on the free space on the territory, and the arrangement will depend on each person’s personal imagination and financial capabilities.

General principles

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Before you begin actual construction, you need to carefully prepare. For this you will need:

determine location
choose shape, size and style
purchase the necessary materials

Planting of vegetation around the reservoir is carried out at the final stage.

Location determination

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For good functionality and attractiveness of the pond, it is necessary to choose the right place for it. It should not be exposed to the scorching rays of the sun, nor in the shade of trees. Lighting plays a big role because flowers planted around will not be able to fully grow if there is a lack of light.

An open area is not the best place for a pond for the following reasons:

It will be unpleasant to relax on hot days under the scorching rays of the sun
Unicellular algae with large quantities light grows stronger and causes water to bloom
Living organisms that will populate the pond will die from the heat at shallow depths

The best option is a site that is not surrounded by trees and is located next to a building or fence. Here in the morning and evening the sun is not so hot, and at noon the shadow cast from the building will give the necessary coolness.

You should not plant trees near a pond, because... their roots can damage the foundation of the pond. For the same reason, do not place a pond next to an already growing garden.

It is necessary to think in advance about a nearby source of electricity for arranging lighting, installing a filter, and a pump.

The construction of a decorative pond does not have strict requirements. The shape may vary. The perimeter, as a complement to the overall design of the site, is decorated with plants.

In order not to make a mistake with the location, it is advisable to draw the outlines of the future artificial lake in advance using twine or sand. During the day, you need to observe how the lighting changes.

Shape and style

Whatever design is chosen, it must be combined with general view throughout the territory. For example, a round pond looks good in an area designed in the English landscape genre. Irregular shapes Suitable for a dacha made in oriental style.

There is no need to try to design a pond, adhering to clear geometric shapes. It is important that the form simply harmonizes with general design garden

As far as the free area of the site allows, this will be the size of the future creation. It's important to know that A larger reservoir is easier to maintain. It makes it easier to create a stable and sustainable ecosystem.

Materials

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In order to equip an artificial reservoir and provide waterproofing protection, various materials are used:

Concrete– often used to create precise geometric lines. Quite complex construction
Plastic containers - used in small areas (up to 5 m2). They are easy to install. They have long term operation
Waterproofing film- good for a special project. It is elastic, but easily damaged. There are the following types:

PVC (polyvinyl chloride)– deformed areas can be easily removed with glue
Polyethylene– lower in cost, but not durable. In case of damage, self-adhesive tape helps
Butyl rubber- most best view. Available in different thicknesses. The greater the expected depth, the thicker the film is selected

Plastic mold base

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Once you purchase a ready-made form, you can create an artificial lake with your own hands quickly and easily. Even a beginner can handle the installation. It will take no more than 2 days.

The plastic is resistant to temperatures and ultraviolet rays, but requires great care during installation. It is very easy to damage, without the ability to effectively close the cracks.

For garden ponds, ready-made structures made from fiberglass are also used. This material is more expensive. It is also durable and can last much longer than plastic.

Installation plastic mold carried out in the following order:

Initially, you will need to dig a pit that matches the shape of the workpiece. To do this, the finished container is installed on the ground. Around it, along the perimeter, with an indentation of 15-20 cm to the sides, sticks are stuck into the ground. A rope is stretched across them. The plastic container is removed for a short time. A hole is dug along the outlined outlines. It should be 30 cm higher in height. At the end of the work, you need to check the evenness of the bottom using a board or a special device
The bottom of the pit is covered with a layer of sand, which will act as a base. Then the form itself is installed. All free spaces between the walls of the mold and the edges of the pit are filled with sand and moistened with water. This will make it easier to shrink
The final stage is filling the form with water and decorating the banks with beautiful stones and planting plants.

Film base

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The use of waterproofing film as a basis provides great opportunities for recreating a reservoir of various shapes, even the most unusual.

PVC film is also not afraid of exposure to ultraviolet rays and temperature changes. Its color lasts for a very long time. The service life is up to 10-15 years.

Butyl rubber film is more reliable. It is more expensive in price. It is used to create deep ponds.

The material is purchased with a reserve (+50 cm on each side) to ensure that its edges are well secured along the banks.

The work is carried out in the following order:

The outlines are marked with lime or sand
A shallow ditch is dug. Excavated soil is not thrown away
New outlines are indicated. The bottom should be the deepest
Using string and measuring tape, calculate the required footage of waterproofing material
The bottom is covered with a layer of sand. Then non-woven fabric or geotextile is spread to protect the film from possible contact with roots or stones
The film is spreading. The bottom and ledges are pressed down with pebbles
The pond is slowly filling with water. It is important that the base material settles gradually
After 2-3 days, the shores are drawn up. The edges of the cellophane are tucked in. Tiles and stones are placed on top, filling the resulting gaps with sand.

Base from an old bathtub

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In fact, to recreate a decorative reservoir, any containers that are no longer suitable for use on the farm can be used as a basis. For example, an old bathtub.

The course of action will be as follows:

A pit is dug to fit the dimensions of the bathtub, +20 cm on each side. It should be slightly deeper than the base. A groove is dug along its perimeter. It should be about 30 cm in height and width
The bottom of the pit is carefully leveled. Its horizontalness is checked using a special measuring tool.
The bathtub is installed in a pit. Empty spaces on the sides are filled with sand (soil)
Next, you need to prepare a mixture consisting of tile adhesive and water. Pigment is added to give color. This mass is applied to the sides of the base from the inside. There is no need to try to align it well. The walls will acquire dark color and structure similar to natural soil
The glue should completely harden within 24 hours. To do this, everything is covered with cellophane and left
To better strengthen the bathtub, a metal mesh is placed on its sides. It is cut into pieces and laid along the borders and inside the base (at 1/2 of the recess). The bottom is left uncovered
Next, a solution (cement, water, sand) is prepared for bonding and applied on top of the mesh. It also doesn't need to be leveled much. To make the mesh more natural and strengthen, stones are inserted into the mixture. The drain is carefully cemented
Clay is poured onto the bottom of the base, water is added and the solution is mixed. It is applied to the sides to cover the cement and fill the void between the stones. The solution must be allowed to dry for several hours.
The finished base is filled with water. Aquatic vegetation is planted in the grooves in a circle.

After a couple of days the water will become a little cloudy. A decorative lake will look completely natural, hiding its true origin.

It is better to place large stones along the edges of the base on the mesh. This will give the shape of the pond clarity and the banks a natural look. When laying out the fragments, you do not need to adhere to the strictness of the forms. The relief will look more natural with irregularities and elevations. And if you alternate large stones with handfuls of crushed stone, this will add greater beauty to the resulting pattern.

Decoration

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Creating such beauty is a troublesome task, but the result will be worth it

A homemade pond looks very beautiful if fish swim in it and plants grow around it. This is a truly picturesque picture.

Certain vegetation is selected for different depths of the reservoir:

no more than 30 cm– yellow iris, marsh marigold, pontederia cordate
30-50 cm– common arrowhead, reed, broadleaf cattail
more than 50 cm– water lilies, lotuses, water hyacinths

Among the fish, crucian carp, veiltails, and certain species of the carp family are well suited for a home lake. To ensure that the water does not spoil and the living creatures are not harmed, a filter must be installed.

Creation of a decorative lake on personal plot- the matter is a little troublesome, but the result will be justified. This is incredible a nice place for a holiday that fully suits the tastes of the owners. Every day you will be able to enjoy the water surface, bordered by tastefully selected plants. Which is especially important on hot days.

Every plant has its place

Even with the appropriate experience in arrangement, sometimes some mistakes are made. Below are tips that you can follow to avoid disappointment from your own work:

There is no need to be afraid to pour soil into the created lake. When gardening, many people prefer to plant plants in plastic containers. It is not right. Plants grow better in natural soil. It contains clay, which strengthens the root system well and is not washed out by water. The pond will not be dirty
For decoration, it is better to use stones of different sizes. In this matter, it is important not to overdo it, so as not to get an absurd picture of an area littered with stones
Great depth is not the main thing. Firms dealing earthworks, deep reservoirs are often dug. This is done only for profit. If you plan to organize a pond with further breeding of fish in it, an average depth will be sufficient
For the cleanliness, freshness of the reservoir and transparency of the water in it, installation of a special filter and pump is required. The pump must be selected correctly, because its power depends on the volume of water
Every plant should grow in its place. Most often, it is in this situation that mistakes are made. It must be remembered that, for example, a water lily planted in a coastal zone will wither. The same thing will happen to ferns in shallow water. List of plants with favorable zones for them:

shore line: fluffy, marigold, snake knotweed
coastal area: elderberry, lily of the valley, conifers
area with water depth up to 20 cm: susak, arrowhead, reed
area with water depth more than 20 cm: water lily, water lily
decoration according to water level duckweed and water dye will add

The pump looks like a small container that can be easily disguised with stones. It is placed on concrete slab or brick. To lay the water pipe and electrical wire, markings are made. A cable is placed along it into a reinforced pipe. Everything is covered with stones. A breaker is used to connect the pump to electricity. Don't forget to change the filter in a timely manner.