How to Build a Wildlife Pond for Your Garden

The most natural ponds are usually buried in the ground with the top edges at ground level and none of the liner or form showing. Therefore, pond construction often starts with digging a hole. Start with marking out the outline of the pond either with builders chalk / spray paint or use a rope or garden hose. The top layer of earth then needs to be removed to fit the shape you have marked. Dig the deepest part of the pond first and then work out to the shallow parts and ledges. A minimum of 0.6m (2ft) is required, but preferably deeper, especially if you want to keep fish. Remember to create at least one shallow side or shelves around the pond to place pond plants on later. The pond edges need to be level all round to prevent water running out and if using a rubber liner, the whole surface needs to be under water or covered to prevent degradation by UV from sunlight

Care must be taken to remove any large or sharp stones and roots from the base of the pond. It is then a good idea to line the base with either builders sand or pond underlay to prevent anything sharp from puncturing the liner. Once the liner is in place it can be slowly filled with water so that the weight of the water allows it to mould to the shape of the hole. Ideally rain water is the best source to use rather than from the tap as this can contain chemicals. If using tap water allow some rain water to top up the pond and maybe one or two buckets from an existing pond, river or lake which will contain some microscopic life to give the ponds ecosystem a kick-start.

Get your pond design right and you never know what might turn up!